“We’d be standing in the mud,” said Tina Albao, the Boys &Girls Club of Hawai‘i Kaua‘i director of operations and development Wednesday while greeting the team from Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union at the Lihu‘e Clubhouse.
“Without the concrete work done by Shioi Construction Co. as an in-kind service contribution, there would only be dirt and mud, and we would be standing in it,” she said.
Hawai‘iUSA FCU, anticipating the grand opening of its service branch at Kukui Grove Center on June 28, arrived with a $5,000 contribution for BGCH, to be shared among its three locations — the West Kaua‘i Clubhouse, Lihu‘e Clubhouse and Kapa‘a Clubhouse.
“Please accept our donation of $5,000 to assist with providing hope and opportunity for our kids to grow and develop life-enhancing skills through your program,” states a letter from Karl Yoneshigo, president of the Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union Foundation.
The adults’ arrival and larger-than-life check triggered the disassembly of youngsters collected for lunch and had them huddling around the check held by Morgan Lopez of the credit union, who explained the finer points of writing checks and the security
facets of check-writing.
“During this time of pandemic, your people represent hope for when we get out of this,” said Taylor Shigemoto of the credit union. “Thank you for the work you do in the community.”
Albao said both the credit union donation and recently-completed in-kind work by Shioi Construction are all greatly appreciated.
The Shioi work included replacing and repainting the Lihu‘e Clubhouse Americans with Disabilities Act ramp and pouring a concrete slab on the facility’s front courtyard.
“BGCH is a nonprofit that fundraises to subsidize program costs for its members,” Albao said. “After fundraising throughout the year, there isn’t a lot left over for facility improvements. Safety is a No. 1 concern, and contributions such as the one Shioi Construction provided are improving the safety and access for all youth who enter our clubs.”
Shioi Construction’s contribution is valued at $11,000, and performed to create a clean, safe outdoor area for the youth to enjoy.
“At a time when aloha and heroes are needed more than ever, Shioi Construction has stepped up to provide just that,” said BGCH President and CEO Paddy Kauhane.
“Mahalo to this incredible organization for being our heroes and providing this beautiful new concrete patio and walkway. It not only adds to safety for our keiki and teens, it also provides additional space when we need it so badly,” said Kauhane.
Albao said the addition of the slab not only keeps people out of the mud, it allows the grass on the outlying areas to grow in to further provide space for the keiki to play in.
“The BGCH services are critical not only for the wellbeing of youth, but for the entire community,” said Conrad Murashige, Shioi Construction board chair.
“It gave us great pleasure to help the BGCH Lihu‘e Clubhouse so they can continue offering high-quality, affordable programs for Kaua‘i families,” Murashige said.
