Chamber of Commerce Sponsors Fundraising Event for Kaiser High School

On October 3, 2009, at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center, the Hawai’i Kai Chamber of Commerce sponsored their first large community event to raise money for Kaiser High School’s special programs, mainly for the arts. The school approached the Hawai’i Kai Chamber of Commerce for assistance and they found a way to make it happen. One of the board members happened to be a tenant at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center and was able to get the space free of cost. It was a perfect venue for the festive occasion.

The “Hawaii Kai Arts & Music Festival” was held on Saturday, October 3, from 2-7 PM. It featured a variety of performances onstage and over 25 tables to promote the cause. According to Nick Abbott, the president of the Hawaii Kai Chamber of Commerce, the Kaiser High School Orchestra performance was a highlight, attracting a big crowd. The musical side of the day featured other performances including Jazzy Brown (slam poetry), Ryan Nakagawa, Kaiser High Pep Squad, Kaleo Agsalda, The Meridian Jazz Band, Amber Ricci and Lauren Silva. 

Over twenty-five tables donated $50 each towards the fundraiser and they filled the area with a variety of activities and goods for sale. The tables varied from artists to massage and different student organizations at Kaiser High School. Some of the businesses that had tables were:  Solar Professionals, Serenity Massage, Slipada (sterling silver jewelry), Business Network International, Hawaii Leadership Academy, and distributors for the product VeMMA. Artists also took the opportunity to promote themselves, including Patrick Ching of Waimanalo and painter Wayne Takazono. Kaiser High School student organizations included the Kaiser H.S. Key Club, Kaiser H.S. senior leadership class, which offered face painting for a small donation. Students from the Art Club showed their talent. Games included “go fish” and beanbag toss. There were also yummy baked goods, popcorn and local fruits, for sale.

There was something for everyone at the event, which proved a great success in many ways. It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved and soliciting support for their school. They took to the sidewalks in Hawaii Kai Towne Center soliciting donations from shoppers in exchange for their baked goods and Kaiser High School memorabilia. It was a good cause, and passersby could not help but be tempted by the local flavor of frozen li hi mui popsicles and spam musubi. 

The Hawai’i Kai Chamber of Commerce promotes the “stimulation and growth” of local businesses through monthly meetings, and social events.  The next event to benefit the community will be an auction in November. The Hawai’i Kai Chamber of Commerce encourages local residents to get involved in their community. In the words of Henry Kaiser, a developer of Hawaii Kai, “Where dreams do come true in the spirit of aloha.” Through this fundraising event, that aloha spirit was felt by Kaiser High School and the community.