CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jane Gabriel and Maude Nakasone watched Na Wahine o ka Hula Mai Ka Pu'uwai perform during the Ko Olina Thanksgiving Outreach meal held at Pearl City Community Church yesterday afternoon. Some 300 holiday meals were served as part of the eighth annual outreach at 13 locations. CLICK FOR LARGE
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One ohana at Thanksgiving
Thirteen churches host the annual Thanksgiving Outreach meal
THANKSGIVING came early for several hundred residents across Leeward Oahu yesterday, as the Ko Olina Resort & Marina teamed up with various churches to feed the needy.
The eighth annual Thanksgiving Outreach called for 2,700 pounds of turkey, 750 pounds of ham, 600 pounds of rice, 100 gallons of gravy, 400 pounds of corn, 4,000 rolls and 4,000 pumpkin desserts at 13 churches throughout Leeward Oahu.
At the Pearl City Community Church, hundreds of people, including senior citizens, special-needs residents and single-parent families, enjoyed performances and free food prepared and served by volunteers.
"People have come to rely on and really look forward to this Thanksgiving feast with all the music and families and fun," said Jeff Stone, Ko Olina president. "I wish we could do this every year."
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Pietro Di Amore chatted with his new friend Sharon Ige during the Thanksgiving Outreach meal held at Pearl City Community Church yesterday afternoon. Di Amore had just moved to Hawaii four days ago to live with his son, Peter Di Amore, who is in the Navy. Di Amore is grateful to his son and helps out around the home as he can. "It's nice to give, and that's what I'm doing," Di Amore explained. CLICK FOR LARGE
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Yesterday's feast is the year's biggest event for the Pearl City church's community outreach, said Tom Toyami, chairman of the church Men's Ministry.
Volunteers hit the streets, beaches, alleyways and schools all across the Waianae coast to invite people to the gathering, Toyami said.
Oftentimes when a family is unable to attend, volunteers will bring food to them instead. Volunteers also invite military families, especially those who have a loved one deployed overseas.
The church's involvement goes back about five years ago, when a Ko Olina employee who attended the church introduced the outreach program. About 4,000 meals were expected to be given out across the 13 churches yesterday.
Clyde Okuda, former chairman of the church's board of trustees, said the church's collections from the community no longer goes toward the building, but to outreach programs and seminars.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Michelle Brazelton and Charlie Sakamoto performed with their halau, Na Wahine o ka Hula Mai Ka Pu'uwai, during the Thanksgiving Outreach meal. CLICK FOR LARGE
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"The money goes back to the community," Okuda said.
Okuda took yesterday's event as an opportunity to give out Aloha Cards. The program was started by Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona to encourage students to spread the true spirit of aloha. The cards list several characteristics of aloha.
"We are using the card to start a conversation, to talk story and get to know our community better," Okuda said.
Linell Kealoha, a single mother of a Lehua Elementary School student, was invited to the event, and she said she's glad she attended.
"This really helps me feel like I'm part of the community," she said. "Like we're all one ohana."