LIHU‘E — Michael Olsen, 2011 president of the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, had a big problem Tuesday evening at the Salvation Army Kokua Kitchen. “I was all alone,” Olsen said. “This was the week the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors are
LIHU‘E — Michael Olsen, 2011 president of the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, had a big problem Tuesday evening at the Salvation Army Kokua Kitchen.
“I was all alone,” Olsen said. “This was the week the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors are supposed to serve meals at the Kokua Kitchen, but no one was here.”
Making phone calls and texting in desperation, there was no response and the hungry people were starting to gather at the entrance to The Salvation Army, Lihu‘e Corps.
Across Hardy Street, Justin Kollar, candidate for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, had a bunch of his supporters sign-waving ahead of the political forum coordinated by the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce.
“I went across the street, hoping someone would come and help,” Olsen said. “At first, people kept telling me I need to talk to so and so, but in the end, we had enough people to help serve and care for the people in need.”
Joining Olsen, Gerald Ako of the HGEA said the organization normally pays a visit to an organization to help so this was nothing new.
Becky Komaki, the creator of the ono West Kaua‘i Methodist Church malasadas, was joined by Priscilla Badua, also of the West Kaua‘i Methodist Church and a longtime helper at the Waimea Town Celebration, Dale Shimomura and Keith Aoki exchanged their signs for serving spoons for the task at hand.
“This is really something special,” said The Salvation Army Major Mario Reyes of the Lihu‘e Corps. “Today, we served more than 50 meals and we couldn’t do it without these people coming over to help.”
With the stomachs rapidly filling from the warm meals being served, the five volunteers excused themselves, hurrying back across Hardy Street behind the corps of sign-wavers who were making their way to the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall for the start of the forum.
The Salvation Army Kokua Kitchen in Lihu‘e serves meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays for anyone in need of a meal and its success is based on the community’s outpouring of help. Call 245-2571 for more information.
Olsen, grateful for the help from the HGEA members, said he’ll remind the Realtors the third Tuesday is Kaua‘i Board of Realtors’ night.
