Food distributed to families at Sheraton Kaua‘i at Coconut Beach

WAIPOULI — Barbara Gusman of the Sheraton Kaua‘i at Coconut Beach said the employees were fortunate to have Bryan Holladay, the resort’s human resources director, present to greet the employees Wednesday, during the drive-through food distribution for the resort’s employees.

“The employees have a lot of questions,” Gusman said. “Bryan is the only one who has the answers to their questions. They’re really lucky he’s here to greet every car.”

The Sheraton Kaua‘i at Coconut Beach partnered with the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank to take care of approximately 150 of the resort’s employees, many of whom are still furloughed from the business slowdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a great opportunity for people to see each other, and get entertained,” said Chris Machorek, the Sheraton Kaua‘i at Coconut Beach general manager. “Many of these employees haven’t seen each other since their last work day before we closed for the pandemic. Some of us have been working through the pandemic to take care of the Hawai‘i National Guard troops who have been the reason we’re still here. We miss seeing our associates.”

Each associate was presented with a package that included a hot kalbi meal prepared by Chef Lucas Sautter and the resort’s culinary department. The hot meal was supplemented by a package that included milk, ground beef, Portuguese Sausage, pasta, bread, a case of saimin, and assorted cans of soup and vegetables.

Pickup was on a drive-through format with no personal contact, face mask wearing required, and social distancing with volunteers from the East Kaua‘i Lions Club and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i delivering the parcels.

Leona Perez, the KIFB Programs Manager, said they have several more food distributions scheduled for this month, including Saturday with the New Hope Lihu‘e who plans to distribute for 250 families starting at 9 a.m. at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center.

This will be followed by distributions to employees of the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort in Po‘ipu, and The Point at Po‘ipu Resort.