In February 1953, the structure of the DNA molecule was discovered. Disney’s “Peter Pan” premiered. Lawmaker Jeb Bush, singer Michael Bolton and actress Mary Steenburgen were born.
In February 1953, the structure of the DNA molecule was discovered. Disney’s “Peter Pan” premiered. Lawmaker Jeb Bush, singer Michael Bolton and actress Mary Steenburgen were born.
Closer to home, the Waiakea Lions Club hosted its first-ever Chuckwagon Breakfast. It’s the nonprofit organization’s major annual fundraiser, bringing in more than $14,000 each year for the Lions’ many service projects. And it starts with a $6 breakfast ticket.
“I’d say it’s a pretty good buy,” said Herbert Watanabe.
Watanabe, 87, is a former member of the Lions Club International Board of Directors, and he would know: He’s been attending the breakfasts for more than 50 years.
Pancakes, rice, Spam, scrambled eggs, cereal, papaya, coffee, chocolate milk — the menu hasn’t changed much in 62 years. It hasn’t had to.
Occasionally, the Lions will try some kind of new items, such as oranges instead of papayas.
“One year, we tried hot dogs,” Watanabe said. But the donated hot dogs were stuffed with a cheese filling, he remembered. “We had a hard time cooking that thing.”
Lions Club member Chuck Bolden first helped with the breakfast in 2006.
“I was sort of amazed this group … could pull this thing off,” he said. “It’s a big event. We plan for 3,000 (people).”
Watanabe said even in the event’s early days, the Lions were serving up close to 1,000 meals. This weekend, thanks to last year’s addition of a drive-thru line and a new express line, the club might pass the 4,000-breakfast milestone.
Planning for a Chuckwagon Breakfast begins as soon as the previous year’s event ends. Throughout the year, Lions are collecting donated food and stocking up on Spam when it goes on sale at supermarkets. Suisan donates cases of eggs. Juice and milk come from Meadow Gold, and Hawaii Fresh Products donates papayas. KTA Super Stores also is a major contributor, Bolden said.
When it came time for Bolden to be breakfast chairman several years ago, he was “very nervous about it.”
“But it was kind of my turn,” he said. “One thing that I found out is that the Lions come together and get it done.”
It’s not just the Lions — other East Hawaii clubs also volunteer time. The Waiakea High School Leo Club helps out during the event, as do Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Troop 19, and members of the 4-H Club.
“They can handle the takeout,” Lions Club president Pat Naughton said. “They can run much faster than us.”
Prep work begins the Friday before the breakfast. Papayas are cut, wrapped and chilled. At 3 in the morning, the rice crew arrives. The Spam people are there by 3:30 a.m. Everyone else shows up at 4 a.m.
“We serve all the volunteers at 4:30, and then we’re ready to go by 5:30, when people are lined up,” Naughton said. He remembers being a pancake-flipper at his first breakfast.
“You ended up having a sunburn by the time the morning was over just from the heat (of the griddle),” he said. “Now, we use all kinds of gloves and special aprons to protect you.”
During this year’s breakfast on Saturday at Sangha Hall, for the second year in a row, donations will be presented to representatives from the Hawaii Food Basket, Hospice of Hilo and Salvation Army.
“They have an ability to multiply what we give them to help … the community,” Bolden said.
“Whatever we earn, we cannot use that for our own Lions purpose,” Watanabe said. “Under international policy, anything we earn must go back into the community.”
Breakfast funds support everything from maintenance of the Lions-built pavilions at Leleiwi Beach Park to a Christmas party for children in foster care and transient housing.
“For us, it’s really fun,” Naughton said. “We have a great time.”
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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At a glance
The 62nd annual Chuckwagon Breakfast takes place from 6:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 20) at Sangha Hall, 424 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased in advance from any Waiakea Lions member or members of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts Troop 19. Tickets also are available at the door.