2023 is half way over and as we are in June we wanted to share a recap of our year so far and a few of the events that we had the honor and privilege to support, here in our Hawaiʻi Community.
In January, we worked with ARISE Church to do a Food Distribution for the Hilo community. Volunteers collected food donations and created boxes for the community in which they dispersed throughout Hilo town. Theyʻre volunteers packed up their wagons and carts and delivered the boxes to kūpuna (elders), mākua (parents), and keiki (children) who were in need. This is a program that they do monthly and they share the aloha from us at Waiākea with the community by including our Oceanplast bottles in their boxes for community distribution.
In February, we supported the KIAA Henry Kapono Valentineʻs Day Concert. This was a benefit concert that raised funds for families in our community that needed extra assistance. KIAA is a dynamic organization that provides its member firms beneficial, vital, and innovative services. It is our mission to successfully develop world-class member firms by partnering with others while preserving and enhancing our unique way of life. Being able to support them and their efforts to support families in need through keeping their staff, volunteers, and attendees hydrated was such a great experience.
In March, we partnered with the YWCA Preschool of Hilo to create, build, and provide a Little free Library for their haumāna (students). Our amazing team at Waiākea designed and built a free standing hale(house) that now stands out front of the YWCA facility in which students can take books and give books for free. We got them started with a little over 150 books so that their library was fully stocked. This project encouraged the studentʻs interest in reading and made it engaging and fun. They also love Waiākea water so we had to make sure we got them some of our 330ml Oceanplast bottles to drink while they are reading all of their new books.
In April we shifted our focus to the event that electrifies the city of Hilo and the island of Hawaiʻi. The Merrie Monarch Festival happens once a year and it brings the community together in a way that is almost indescribable. We had the honor of participating in the famous Merrie Monarch Parade. Our team worked tirelessly to build an amazing float in which our kōkua team and their ʻohana walked alongside throughout the parade. Being able to be a part of such amazing Hilo history is something that we will forever cherish.
In May we partnered with Hawaiʻi Care Choicesʻ Celebration of Life at Reedʻs Bay. It was an honor to have our team support such a heart warming and special event that allows hundreds of families to honor the memory of their loved ones that have passed. This event also recognizes the countless healthcare workers who have served and continue to serve families for decades. Mahalo to those that came by for a visit and even stopped to help out with our hydration station, games, prizes and clean up & sanitize the art supplies in the lantern decorating tents.
This month is still happening and although there were so many things we got to do this month so far, one that is super special to us was the Hawaiʻi Island Adult Careʻs Play4Kūpuna Game Night. These fundraisers help to support and offset costs for our kūpuna in need. But did you know that HIAC also takes care of the caregivers that care for our kūpuna. This is Huge, as many times the caregivers are overlooked and need a bunch of love as well. To the Hawaii Island Adult Care team and all those that came out to support such a great cause, mahalo. We are so honored to have our Kōkua Initiative be a part of such an impactful group the past few years.
These are just a few of the amazing organizations and events that have chosen to partner with us and we are so grateful for all of the incredible people weʻve met along the way. Being able to give back to our community right here at home through all of these one-of-a-kind organizations and groups is the best part of our company. Mahalo for looking back with us at these special moments and we canʻt wait to create some more!