More than 100 people turned out for the first “Cherish Our Keiki Recognition Breakfast” on Nov. 1 at the Hilo Yacht Club.
Sponsored by the East Hawaii Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect, the event featured a keynote address by Steve Choy, Ph.D., on how prevention and reporting of child abuse is a community responsibility.
The personal impact of child abuse was shared by three members of “Hear Our Voice,” a group of current/former foster youths from East Hawaii.
“Both presentations made a strong and emotional impact on those who attended,” said event spokesman Paul Normann.
Twenty-five local businesses/organizations were honored for their participation in the coalition’s “Cherish Our Keiki” project, allowing coalition members to provide information and training to them on how to prevent child abuse and promote healthy families.
These include: Bay Clinic, Big Island Toyota, Coca Cola, CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, Fern Acres Community Association, First Hawaiian Bank, Foodland, GW Construction, Hawaii National Bank, Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge, Hawaiian Airlines, HELCO, Hilo Downtown Improvement Association, HMSA, HPM, Kamaaina Motors, Kanaka ‘O Puna/Men of Pa‘a/Women of Pa‘a, KTA, Lex Brodie’s Tires, Maku‘u Farmers Association, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Pacific Radio Group, County of Hawaii Parks and Recreation, Penn Fitness Center and Prince Kuhio Plaza.
For more information about what you can do to support healthy children and families, please contact the coalition at 965-5550, or visit www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org or www.facebook.com/neighborhoodplace.
