Youth Center raises $7,000 Youth Center raises $7,000 ADVERTISING The March 7 Hamakua Youth Foundation Ohana Night fundraiser pulled in $7,000 in donations for the Hamakua Youth Center in Honokaa. Duane Yamada and Friends provided the music, with special performances
Youth Center raises $7,000
The March 7 Hamakua Youth Foundation Ohana Night fundraiser pulled in $7,000 in donations for the Hamakua Youth Center in Honokaa.
Duane Yamada and Friends provided the music, with special performances and project demonstrations by Youth Center participants and an ono meal prepared by the young folks.
The proceeds will go a long way toward reaching the annual community donations goal of the Hamakua Youth Foundation, said spokesman Joel Cohen.
Youth entertainment began with Leila DeGuzman on piano and vocals, the musical duo of Tia and Kama Ventura-Hernandez, and ukulele player Kamahi‘ai Kapeliela with friends Josiah Ventura-Hernandez and Kainalu Swift. The youth portion of the program ended with a pa‘i ai poi demonstration by Kamakana and Kulia Ventura-Hernandez.
Mayor Billy Kenoi spoke briefly of his appreciation to the board of directors, staff and people attending, for their continuing efforts to provide a healthy alternative for the young people of the community.
Tsunami Story Fest is April 14
Titled “Wailoa River Legends,” the 11th annual Tsunami Story Festival will tell the stories of persons from the Wailoa area whose lives were impacted by tsunamis and who went on to great achievements.
They include Rex Matsuno, CEO of Suisan, who went from fish peddling to being head of a top company in the state. Art Kimura’s family fish market in Waiakea was wiped out, but his academic career has propelled him into space, as he now heads the Future Flight Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto’s story of achievement is told through the story of swimmer Yoshinobu Terada. And the fourth honoree is Takayoshi Kanda, who has provided tsunami awareness by his vigilant upkeeping of the Tsunami Clock Memorial.
The festival will be staged on Sunday, April 14, at the Sangha Hall in Hilo. Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner and the program starting at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and may be purchased by phoning the Pacific Tsunami Museum at 935-0926 or emailing colleend@tsunami.org.
The evening will be dedicated to the late Hilo historian Robert “Steamy” Chow, who was an original member of the museum board of directors.
