Recognizing that health and personal safety need to be maintained, the Waiakea Lions have been undertaking indoor and outdoor projects that require a minimum number of members. Two projects were completed in October: the renovation of two bus shelters and a maintenance project for the Salvation Army.
With the expectation that visitors will be returning to Hawaii and will be staying at hotels on the Waiakea Peninsula, the Lions refurbished the two bus stop shelters on Banyan Drive. The two shelters on Banyan Drive were built in 1979 by the Waiakea and Banyan Lions Clubs.
In the past 42 years, the shelters did not stand up well to Hilo’s wet weather. A section of the roof and a fascia board were replaced on the shelter on the mauka side, and prepping and repainting was done to both shelters. The project was chaired by Lion Sam Reynolds with the assistance of five other Lions Club members.
The club has also provided indoor maintenance for the Salvation Army’s dormitory and are building an above-ground garden for the residents.
Lions (and brothers) Rex and Keoki Ribao were asked to assess what and how they could remove a cabinet and install a door in one of the buildings at the Salvation Army Emergency Shelter on Kinoole Street. When they went there to assess the job, they removed the cabinet. Rex Ribao later picked up materials and supplies to make and install a door in the same building.
The Salvation Army also wanted to install above-ground garden beds to grow vegetables for the residents’ meals. Lion Ken Rosene provided pots to plant vegetable seedlings. The club is still waiting for empty tote tanks so that the above-ground garden beds can be made.
Along with branch club, Hawaii Unlimited Lions, the club has been making COVID prevention masks and distributing them free throughout the community. Together they have also done beach cleanup at various Keaukaha beaches and along the Hamakua Highway.