CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Taylor Kipapa, one of 11 foster children of the Kipapa family, was served a plate of food by Hawaii Government Employees Association staff member Joni Yamamoto yesterday during the 2003 Friends of Foster Kids Christmas Party. More than 2,500 people participated in the event, which featured a turkey lunch, live entertainment and activity booths.
Holiday party unites
foster familiesKids and parents who share
a selfless commitment enjoy
a turkey lunch
Waimanalo resident Kurt Kipapa fulfilled his dream of having a large family with his wife, Jolyn.
"I truly feel that this is a blessing for me," said Kipapa, a local entertainer who has 14 children, including eight who are adopted and three who are foster children.
The Kipapa family, along with some 2,500 parents and their foster children, celebrated the holiday season at Neil Blaisdell Center's Exhibition Hall yesterday. The fifth annual Christmas event was sponsored by Friends of Foster Kids, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of foster children, along with the Rotary Club of Honolulu and other community organizations.
"These kids go through so much," said Craig Nakanishi, president of Friends of Foster Kids. "We try to give them a sense of normalcy and self-worth."
According to the organization, 4,827 children in the state entered foster care last year.
Children enter foster care for various reasons such as being the victims physical abuse, domestic violence or sexual abuse, or because their parents abuse drugs. Siblings are difficult to place under one home, which can lead to foster children who are separated from their siblings. A majority of foster children are also moved to more than one foster home.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kehau Kila Kipapa laughed at the dining table during the party yesterday. Sitting next to her were Dezerie, Sakae and Johnaca, as well as other siblings from the Kipapa family.
About 400 volunteers served hundreds of foster families a turkey lunch that included stuffing, yams and chocolate cake. All children received presents donated by various companies, churches, schools and private donors.
Foster children and their parents were treated to hairstyles by Paul Mitchell stylists, face painting, gifts from the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center and keiki identification cards by the Honolulu Police Department.
For 11 years the Kipapa family has cared for more than 20 foster children. It started when Jolyn's former classmate from Castle High School asked her to baby-sit her five children. Her friend, addicted to crystal methamphetamine, never returned to pick up the children.
Kurt Kipapa said the children were in danger of being separated and placed in separate foster homes. The couple agreed to be their foster parents and later adopted all five children.
"I always loved kids. God gives everyone a calling. I guess this is my calling," said Jolyn Kipapa. Often, Kipapa said, she is told that she can't take every foster child home with her.
"If I could, I would," she said.
Some foster parents said the holiday event helps reunite brothers and sisters who have been separated by the system as well as help new foster parents get advice from others who have assisted foster children for many years.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Miller and his wife, Randalynne, of Pearl City, have cared for about 40 foster children over the past five years.
The couple have six children, including two foster children and two who are adopted. The Millers became involved in the foster program after Randalynne was laid off from her job at a law firm. She said her aunt -- also a foster parent -- suggested that she consider taking care of foster children.
"You can get so attached," she said.
Her husband agreed. "It's all about helping the kids," said Chris.
