WAILUA — Luis Soltren has a growing vision for his annual children’s holiday gift-giving effort now entering its 25th year. “A Hope For Christmas Benefit Concert” is scheduled for Dec. 9, starting 5:30 p.m. at Kaua‘i Beach Resort. Benefits will
WAILUA — Luis Soltren has a growing vision for his annual children’s holiday gift-giving effort now entering its 25th year.
“A Hope For Christmas Benefit Concert” is scheduled for Dec. 9, starting 5:30 p.m. at Kaua‘i Beach Resort. Benefits will be used to raise funds for the Christmas for Kaua‘i’s Needy and Abused Children, and the Hope, Help & Healing Substance Abuse Treatment Program.
The concert will include a silent auction, live entertainment from Brother Noland, Leahi, Tommy Tokioka, Tsunami Taiko, Nam Jai Thai dancers, Miss Hawai‘i Filipina Topaz Fernandez, Opio Mokihana hula finalists, Halau Ka Lei Mokihana Leinaala, and Na Hoku O‘Kaua‘i Queens.
“The goal is to help more kids,” Soltren said. “It’s not only the gifts, but also a big party. It’s good food, lots of singing and a very good day.”
An event like this needs partners and Soltren enlisted Vance Pascua to bring years of specialty event promotion and marketing skills organize the concert. Pascua is founder of Ainofea Extreme Sportswear Hawai‘i, and a promoter of major Mixed Martial Arts events.
“I just like helping out the community as much as possible,” Pascua said.
In addition to providing in-kind entertainment for past Christmas programs, Tommy Tokioka is a professional musician and manages the Hope, Help & Healing Substance Abuse Treatment Program. His spouse, Malia Tokioka is a certified substance abuse counselor and operates the medical end of the nonprofit, faith-based outpatient treatment program for adults and teens struggling with substance abuse disorders.
Tokioka said he and Soltren go way back and is enjoying this chance to partner and go way beyond what they have done together in the past.
“I really enjoy giving back with this charity for the kids,” Tokioka said. “I really get a lot of personal satisfaction out of it.”
Tokioka is focusing on the entertainment and said he is leaving the organizing to Pascua. “Vance has got a great head on his shoulders,” he added.
Soltren wanted to do all he could for Hope, Help & Healing because he said the Tokioka’s do all they can for people who turn to them for help.
Another ingredient for success is to enlist the help of honorable people, said Soltren.
The mayor and the chief of police have for years supported the cause and are present as great role models for the kids, he said.
Soltren, a Wailua home builder, has gained a name that is synonymous with the holiday season for a quarter-century of Soltren’s Bikes for Special Children Program. Up until last year he used his own money and relied on individual and corporate donations to buy bicycles and presents that volunteers assemble for a big gift-giving event.
It was labor intensive and as the event grew larger, Soltren said they changed last year to the “Wish List” program in partnership with Rosie Carillo of the Children’s Justice Center.
“Rosie loves the kids she works with,” Soltren said.
Carrillo said the kids in need are identified through the Women’s Shelter, foster homes, and social services. This pro-active method ensures the dollars go further and are spent getting the kids what they want.
Caseworkers collect the top three gift requests and Carrillo compiles the wish lists and presents them to Soltren. The kids would otherwise not have much of a Christmas.
“After the list is formed we get it to Santa and they go shopping,” said Carrillo.
Soltren said that many local businesses have stepped up over the years and made big cash, material or in-kind donations. Times are tough but he said the holidays bring out the best in people.
“I just hope they come forward this year,” Soltren said. “I don’t just want this to be the 25th year; I want it to be the best year.”
Jocelyn Soltren said it has been wonderful to see so many kids get presents over the years. She said some of the kids are now adults and remember that when they see her husband around Kaua‘i.
“All the kids call him uncle,” she added.
Jocelyn likes the ranked-order of the wish list to help determine what the kids want. She said most kids want a bike or a big name item, but that last year one girl only wanted a hair brush.
The ranked order help ensure they bought some other things on her too, she added.
Those wishing to make monetary donations to the effort may call Soltren, 639-4836, or Rosie Carrillo of the Children’s Justice Center, 651-2565. Buy tickets for the event at Baby Boutique, 245-5888.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by emailing tlaventure@ thegardenisland.com.
