July 23, 2012
Not even a major traffic tie up on H-1 could keep the AHK volunteers from the 3rd annual Back-to-School shopping trip with the children of the Next Step shelter in Kakaako. The calls kept coming in: “We’re running late but we’ll be there!” Sure enough, 18 members, spouses and friends of AHK and their 8 children arrived at the Keeaumoku St. Wal-Mart on July 23.
This year there were 24 children from the shelter, most of them elementary age. The six boys and 18 girls ranged in age from kindergarten to 11th grade. Their parents are not included in this excursion so that the children can do their own shopping, escorted by an adult from AHK.
The adventure begins at McDonald’s. After dinner, Sgt. Bryan Oato and volunteer officers Jason Boquer-Wintjen and Robbie Robinson Jr. from the District 5 Kalihi Community Policing Team speak to the group. Officer Jason is funny and engaging, yet his message clearly reminds the children that the police are here to protect us all. Having said that, the group lines up to walk next door to Wal-Mart with their own police escorts. The children jockey for position to be the one walking next to the officers.
After an hour, the shopping carts begin lining up at the register. The children have bought shoes, slippers, jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, socks, shirts, blouses and underwear — many things our own children take for granted. There is excitement and laughter as the young shoppers walk out with multiple shopping bags on their arms.
The AHK volunteers are also grateful for the opportunity to participate and make the youngsters happy. Two families have been part of the shopping group for the last two years: the Tadaki family – Nate, Adrianna, Blake, Brianna, Brook and Blane and the Takiguchi family – Eddy, Gail, Enzo and Eyzek. Jordan Isono and Rachel Oato also joined their parents (Sheila and Bryan) this year. Mahalo to Kimi and Kai Apiki, Wayde and Angela Hayashi, Sheila Isono, Liane Sugimoto, Kalei Fernandez, Bryan Oato, Nate and Adrianna Tadaki, Kurt Taguma,
Eddy and Gail Takiguchi, Terrence Takahata and Ava, Chris Tsukahara, and Terry Yonashiro. Special thanks to Edean and Amy DeMello from ‘Iolani School. Amy began this project while she was still in high school 4 years ago. She single-handedly found volunteers to purchase school supplies for each child at the shelter. Amy is now a junior in a culinary arts program in Rhode Island and returns each year to help out. Finally, this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the club members who support the raffle at the Diving with Dad tournament in June.
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Alii Holo Kai no ka oi!
Mahalo to all who contributed da kala at the Diving with Dad raffle/outing, and everyone who took the time to escort and help in this AHK H5 project for these youngsters!