Locks of Love

Salon customers donate locks to kids with cancer

ight-year-old Jackie Erban heard last year about a "hair-raiser" to help children with cancer and asked her mother to stop trimming her locks.

As Jackie neared the Heaven on Earth Salon & Day Spa yesterday, she started getting cold feet. "I think I'm nervous," she told her mom, Joann Erban.

Thirteen inches of Jackie's hair were cut off as she and about 60 others streamed into the salon to donate hair yesterday for Locks of Love.

Salon owner Laura Nakai said "a lot of young girls were saving their hair" just to donate it to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that donates hairpieces to children afflicted with cancer and other medical problems.

Five stylists donated their time to service close to 60 people yesterday. So many others volunteered for a haircut that a second day has been added for appointment or walk-ins next Tuesday. The salon is located at 1050 Alakea St.; for appointments, call 599-5501.

Erban said she was impressed that her daughter wanted to help children her age, because she is normally a shy girl "who goes along if other friends are doing something."

Ricky Umehira said it was the first time his daughters, Nicole, 9, and Kylie, 8, got their hair cut in a salon. After reading about it in the newspaper, they told him about their intentions, and "I was proud of them for thinking about it," he said. "They didn't hesitate at all."

Ivy Yamaguchi, 10, said she donated her hair because she wanted to help someone.

"I hope it goes to someone who really wants it and needs it," she said.

Her mother, Donie, said Ivy gives to the Angel Tree (for Christmas gifts) and raised money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"It's an important value to learn at school at such a young age," Donie said. "We live in such a 'me-me-me' society that I'm glad she sees the value in wanting to help other people."