LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami took his turn helping to hold signs and man fishnets on Wednesday at the intersection of Umi and Rice streets.
Kawakami and other county employees joined leaders of the Filipino community, including the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center, in soliciting relief funds to help the Filipino people that were impacted when Super Typhoon Egay impacted Northern Luzon on July 23.
More than 50 people were killed, and an estimated 2.3 million Filipinos were impacted in the area where Kawakami and a Kaua‘i delegation visited the three sister cities of Laoag, Santa and Bangued in May.
Among the list of destruction, many of the iconic vistas were destroyed, including the Old Qyuirino Bridge in Santa.
“These areas need our support in the form of financial assistance,” stated the mayor’s office.
Randy Francisco, of the KPCC, said the financial collection will be turned over the Philippines officials and the Philippines Red Cross for disaster relief.
“People, including several westside businesses, have been giving, generously,” Francisco said. “To date, we’ve collected around $6,000. This is a nice way to launch the disaster relief effort.”
Francisco said they will maintain the drive until Aug. 11 with people dropping off their contributions at the Kaua‘i Philippines Cultural Center. Checks should be made out to the “Kaua‘i Philippines Cultural Center.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
