LIHU‘E — There was no challenge to the band of paniolo, an inflatable cow, and a pair of horseback riders on Saturday night during the Big Brothers Big Sisters 14th annual bowling fundraiser at the sold-out Kaua‘i Bowl.
Gather Federal Credit Union, one of two Platinum sponsors of the signature Big Brother Big Sisters events, claimed the Team Spirit award following its routine of a watermelon line dance routine spun by DeeJay Marv de Vera, who has been anchoring the event since it started.
“This is all possible because of our sponsors,” said Kaulana Mossman, a Big Brothers Big Sisters board member that doubled as the evening’s emcee. “Both our lane sponsors and prize sponsors allow us, including our Littles, the term referring to the Little Brothers and Little Sisters.”
Joining Gather FCU as a Platinum sponsor, Contemporary Flavors Catering with Chef Mark Oyama provided the evening’s food offering what included a variety of paniolo food, including paniolo steak.
Other major sponsors included Bowers and Kubota, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, Matson, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Kukui‘ula and McBryde, Capt. Andy’s, Earthworks and a late comer that earned the right to roll the first ball — Napa Auto Parts.
Following 13 years of bowling under Dennis Brown, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i president and CEO, this year’s event was graced by Tyler Kurashige, who stepped into Brown’s shoes after Brown retired.
Dianne Blaksteen and Malisha Kali helped coordinate the evening filled with prize auctions, good food and a lot of fun.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
