The Kōkua Initiative Shares Aloha This Holiday Season
As the year winds down and we enter the Holiday Season, it's important to remember gratitude. Sometimes giving thanks is the first step in being able to give back because in order to give, we must be able to accept and acknowledge what's good in our lives no matter the adversity.
Our work to give back to local people in need continued in November as the Kōkua Initiative at Waiākea kicked the month off with a matching book drive, which helped to bring in over 2400 books to the students at Hilo Union School.
We also expanded our work to impact the lives of our neighbors on the island of Maui where we joined Project Hawai’i, Inc. to distribute water to the houseless at Kanaha Beach Park. While there, our team connected with the Maui Rescue Mission, which provides a mobile trailer to wash laundry, take a shower, and they also provide supplies like clothing, footwear and essential items. We were able to help by donating slippers, socks, and anti-bacterial wipes.
Also during this time on Maui, Waiākea kept everyone hydrated at the Shane Victorino Foundation's 14th Annual Celebrity Dinner & Golf Classic.
Founded by the former MLB All-Star, World Series Champion, and Gold Glove winner, Shane Victorino, and his wife Melissa, The Shane Victorino Foundation is dedicated to promoting opportunities for underserved youth and engages in projects which provide educational, recreational, and wellness programs. This year, the Foundation donated and raised money to support four non-profits including Project Hawai'i, Inc., Vertical Sports Maui, Imua Family Services, and HUGS Hawai'i.
As December gets underway, our Monthly Food Drive at KTA Puainako returns on December 4th, from 8:00am - 11:00am, in partnership with the Hilo Crescent City Lions.
This particular event features a Toy and Essentials Drive to collect toys and essential items for Makana Packs at the Hawai’i Diaper Bank. In addition to this, the Kōkua Initiative will take part in a Teddy Bear’s of Hope Drive at Cup Cakes Boom on Dec 11th with Jordanna Takaki. A matching donation of a book from Waiākeaʻs Kōkua Initiative will be flown over and delivered to Kapiolani Women's and Children's Hospital on the Island of Oahu on Dec 20 along with a pallet of water.
Also on Oahu, the Kōkua Initiative will be supporting the Keiki ‘o ka ‘āina Laulima Giving Program at Windward Mall in Kaneohe and Kahala Mall in Honolulu. A free bottle of water will be given with every donation. Dillon and Kamalei Pakele from the Kapena School of Music, who were sponsored by Waiākea with a yearʻs worth of music lessons, will also be performing at the event.
Over the course of this year, Geoli Ng, the Director of the Kōkua Initiative here at Waiākea, has been working with the Hilo Crescent City Lions Club to create a Leos Club, for youth interested in becoming young community leaders. The Leos will be decorating 50 Christmas Trees donated by the Waiākea Kōkua Initiative, which will be put in each room at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo. The trees will be delivered with a donation of 30 cases of water.
The work to giveback doesn’t stop but we are grateful for your support of our brand. Each purchase of Waiākea helps us to continue this work and effect change in our community and around the world.