FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM The 13th annual Hilton Hawaiian Village Thanksgiving celebration served up a feast yesterday for anyone who was hungry. The lunch at the Institute for Human Services was prepared by members of the HHV and Hilton Grand Vacations Club. Noel Trainor, a Hilton employee, and his wife, Lisa, served the food.

Generous Feast

A shelter gives cause for thanks for current and former residents

Noreen Raniada's eyes began tearing as she remembered how far she had come since kicking a 20-year "ice" addiction last year.

Raniada, a former Institute for Human Services resident, was first in line and sat at a table dressed in a red cloth along with her 5-year-old granddaughter, Deja, as a Hilton Hawaiian Village employee served them drinks in disposable cups.

"I feel blessed today. I thank the Lord for IHS," said Raniada, 52.

About 400 people were served a meal yesterday at the 13th annual Hilton Hawaiian Village lunch for the homeless at the IHS men's shelter, according to an IHS spokeswoman.

Forty-five turkeys, stuffing, tossed greens and pumpkin pie were served for homeless, formerly homeless and anyone else who wanted to join in the Thanksgiving dinner. The Dennis Ah Yek Duo provided live entertainment.

Several homeless residents expressed thanks to the volunteers for the decorations, music, food service and festive ambience in the usually bare concrete cafeteria. The shelter also granted amnesty to evicted shelter residents to enjoy the free meal.

Nancy Festerling, a Hilton finance department employee, said she volunteers every Thanksgiving at the hotel's lunch for the homeless on Bethel Street and at IHS. She was directing people to open seats yesterday.

"We're so busy," she said. "It touches my heart to see them get food, and they come every year. As long as they feel happy, I feel grateful."

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Kelly O'Sullivan, a Hilton employee, left, and Fred Paine served diners Ketsy Sos, left, K4 Sam and Atin Sananap.

"I want to make this a new home," he said. Currently, mental and physical disabilities prevent him from working, but Gauthreaux hopes to find work and a home. "I want to start a new and better life in Hawaii."

Paul Nixon looked content after his meal, wearing glasses and a green cap. Nixon lives in a McCully studio apartment, but he eats at IHS to stretch his limited income.

After paying $775 a month in rent and utilities without a phone, he does not have much left from his $950 disability pay.

"Rent is so high," he said. "I come here to eat to stretch out my money for the month."

He said it was a nice change to see the levity and community support. "Everybody is so happy today. It's really a nice atmosphere," he said.

As for Raniada, the former IHS resident, she now lives in a reduced-rent Waikiki studio that IHS helped her find in August.

Homeless for one year, Raniada entered the IHS women's shelter in March 2006.

"I look back at the past, and I give thanks," she said. "It's all about giving thanks (looking at) from what we had and what we have today."

She said she wanted to attend the lunch to show IHS support after all it had given her, "and yet they're still giving today."