KAPA‘A — “I don’t have much to say,” said Rep. Derek Kawakami, D-14, Saturday. “When we are at a jiu-jitsu tournament, you are just too anxious to get out there and do the match. I’m sure the wrestlers feel the
KAPA‘A — “I don’t have much to say,” said Rep. Derek Kawakami, D-14, Saturday. “When we are at a jiu-jitsu tournament, you are just too anxious to get out there and do the match. I’m sure the wrestlers feel the same way.”
Kawakami, who along with his cousin, Esther Kawakami-Williams, were on hand when the inaugural Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation wrestling matches got under way at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapa‘a.
The program received a $10,000 contribution toward establishing the first wrestling teams on Kaua‘i through the NF Kawakami, HS Kawakami and M. Furugen Fund administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
The former owners of Big Save, Inc. joined together to establish the fund, states a release from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
“Big Save, Inc. has always been an incredibly charitable entity, donating thousands of dollars to a wide range of community groups from sports teams to human service organizations,” said Darcie Yukimura, HCF Philanthropic Services Officer, in the release. “Even the company’s annual Richard Kawakami Golf Tournament was a major source of charitable contributions, totaling more than $400,000 in its history. I’m thrilled to announce that the Kawakami and Furugen families will continue its legacy of generous giving on Kaua‘i through this new HCF fund.”
Derek has been very visible through the final planning stages leading to the inaugural matches Saturday, noting he got help from Shawn Smith of Falko Partners and other community groups.
Diane Nitta, executive secretary with the KIF, said the help offered by the Kawakami family was a huge step toward opening the doors to the first wrestling matches, which unfolded before bleachers filled with parents, family and student supporters.
“Establishing this fund with HCF ensures that our commitment to Kaua‘i continues,” Derek, director of HS Kawakami Store, Ltd., said. “The real legacy here is that we will be able to support all the important work our local nonprofits are doing in our community, year after year.”
Big Save, Inc. was founded in 1958 by the NF Kawakami, HS Kawakami, and M. Furugen families, which were originally three independent local merchants who merged with the desire to serve Kaua‘i’s families together than compete with one another.
Big Save, Inc., in addition to its grocery stores, grew to include convenience stores, eateries, resort stores, Kaua‘i Kookie, Kaua‘i Kitchen and Ben Franklin stores.
In July, 2011, Big Save, Inc. sold its grocery business to Times Supermarket. Today, many of Big Save, Inc.’s subsidiaries continue to be operated by the founding families.
“While we are not involved in the grocery business anymore, our families are still rooted in small business and serving the island’s residents and visitors with local values, traditions and care,” said Esther Kawakami-Williams, vice president of NF Kawakami Store, Ltd.
The NF. Kawakami, HS Kawakami and M. Furugen Fund will disburse its next contribution this year.
