LIHU‘E — A promise is a promise and must be kept, said Art Umezu, wearing the Musique International hat Friday night at the mall. Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the Kukui Grove Center marketing director, and Daphne Sanchez of The Jam Room, a
LIHU‘E — A promise is a promise and must be kept, said Art Umezu, wearing the Musique International hat Friday night at the mall.
Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the Kukui Grove Center marketing director, and Daphne Sanchez of The Jam Room, a gathering place of Kaua‘i’s young people, presented monies to Mike Murakoshi, representing the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program on Kaua‘i, and Mike Miranda, representing the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i clubhouses.
The funds were generated during a fundraising appearance by Quest in March, Kaohelauli‘i said, and presented on the first anniversary of The Jam Room.
Umezu said when the Quest program took place, the funds came in under budget.
He was later hired by the sponsor of the group’s rental van to host a graduation party and refused payment. That refusal turned into a gift for The Jam Room. In spite of the fact that the mall facility could use new lighting and other upgrades, the funds were turned over to the two youth groups, Umezu said.
“It’s the youth helping other youth,” he said. “It’s a good investment.”
The anniversary of The Jam Room, initiated as a gesture of goodwill from the mall by providing a space for young people, was just one of myriad activities kicking off the mall’s summer celebration, Kaohelaulii said.
The anniversary party of The Jam Room continued Saturday where prizes were given away during fun games punctuating three fashion shows highlighting summer and back-to-school fashion from three of the mall’s retail outlets — Macy’s, Deja Vu and Jean’s Warehouse.
A B-Boy JAM featuring a break dance competition rounded out the celebration.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
