LIHU‘E — Kahu Kerry of the West Kaua‘i Episcopal Churches said they never got the word on Wednesday during the house blessings for Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity in Waimea.
“We didn’t hear anything,” Kahu said. “But it’s tradition so we’re just going to show up to feed the people.”
Kahu was among the volunteers from the West Kaua‘i Lions Club, the Waimea High School LEO Club, Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha school and more who showed up at Salvation Army, Hanapepe Corps to serve up about 350 meals to people in the community.
“The meals were cooked by the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa,” said Hanapepe Corps. commander Lt. Jose Gonzalez. “We appreciate what they do for the people, and we are building a better relationship and already talking about next year’s Thanksgiving.”
He said everything was so last-minute, he was grateful for the supporters like Kerry who just showed up because they expected Thanksgiving to take place.
Combining with the Lihu‘e Corps, which is operating under retired Salvation Army Majors George and Flo Rodriguera, The Salvation Army ended Wednesday by serving nearly a thousand meals.
There was no sit-down at the Lihu‘e Corps event, which served everything out of a box truck and tables set up in the entry to Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in a drive-thru format.
“This is my second trip through,” said Marilyn Matsumoto of the Lihu‘e Senior Center. “I’m delivering to people.”
“The Salvation Army pulled us out of retirement,” George Rodriguera said. “We came from Lincoln, California, to Lihu‘e in late October so there wasn’t any time to set up anything. We just had to do this. We were fortunate that Kaua‘i Kookie said they could cook the 600 meals. We just had to pick it up.”
Arnold Leong stepped to the plate, using his truck to pick up the 600 meals.
“I knew Major Flo from when I used to attend St. John’s Church in ‘Ele‘ele. She was only a little girl, then. Today, we’re getting a lot of help from Kaua‘i Kookie who cooked the meals,” Leong said.
“People from the Lihu‘e Missionary Church, Lihu‘e Lutheran Church and Southwest Airlines helped cut the pumpkin pie, and we have people from the Salvation Army, Lihu‘e Corps board serving (actually, running orders from the truck to car).”
The Majors Rodriguera said they will be stationed at the Lihu‘e Corps through January 2024 before heading back to Lincoln.
“I wish we could stay here, forever,” George Rodriguera said. “At least, we’ll be here and needing help with the critical Salvation Army programs that take place during this holiday season, including the Red Kettles, the Angel Tree and the Toys for Tots programs.”
For more information or to volunteer for any of The Salvation Army programs, call the Lihu‘e Corps at 808-245-2571 or the Hanapepe Corps at 808-335-5441.
There is also a Hawaiian Island Salvation Army website at hawaii.salvationarmy.org.
