Newsmaker
Monday, March 2, 1998
Name: Darrell Large
Age: 64
Education: University of Maryland
Occupation: President, Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii
Hobbies: Sailing and downhill skiing
Three out of four of Darrell Large's children and all of his four grandchildren live on the mainland. They are a big reason why he's spent the last two years as a full-time volunteer starting the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii. Aloha for traumatized visitors
"No. 1 is that it's the right thing to do. It's my home and I care about it," Large explained about his volunteer time. "But it's part selfish. I not only want my children to have aloha, but also afford to live here. I don't see any hope of them coming back with the cost of living.
"Crime against tourists is a factor hurting our industry, and I want to contribute to a better economy for our kids and grandkids."
For a long time Large has been concerned that Hawaii was not reaching out to its "traumatized" visitors -- tourists who became victims of crime or serious accidents during their stay here. That was hurting tourism in general, he thought.
And he was shocked when he learned two years ago that there was no agency responsible for aiding these tourists. Other cities that rely heavily on tourism have travelers' aid societies.
So he became a one-man show. When he heard or read about tourists in trouble, he tried to get ahold of them to see how he could help. Sometimes that backfired: "Some were afraid I was another criminal trying to rip them off," Large said.
So he went to the Rotary Club of Honolulu, which formed a committee to work on the problem. As demand for help grew, he got the police involved, as well as hotel and merchant associations. City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle asked his help in bringing back witnesses to testify in court.
Donations to victims have included everything from rooms to rental limos. But he insists that all donated items come "compliments of the people of Hawaii" rather than individual businesses.
"It's important that victims realize the people of Hawaii are reaching out to express their aloha, compassion and sympathy," he said.
During his 25 years in real estate, Large owned Hale Koa Realty and the realty franchise for Better Homes and Gardens, which he sold in 1993. He and his wife Rheta live in Hawaii Kai.
Large has seen a little bit of everything in his volunteer job. Victims have included a woman who was hit by a drunken driver and suffered two broken legs, and another woman who needed her hip replaced after a drive-by purse snatcher dragged her under a vehicle.
"While we can't stop all crime, we can at least show them all the people in Hawaii are not bad. It's not costing the taxpayers a thing," Large said.
The demand for assistance has become so large that volunteers are having a difficult time keeping up. Large is hoping to get two paid staffers, and Outrigger Hotels has promised free office space in Waikiki.
Large said he's never been turned down by anyone when he asks for help and donations.
"Many of us are working two jobs and stressed. But given the opportunity, the people of Hawaii do want to share the true aloha spirit."
Susan Kreifels, Star-Bulletin
