Summer's here, and we've been sizzling with exciting activities and events. In May, we celebrated the accomplishment of our trainees at our 2nd Annual Workforce Resources Graduation. Lanakila Meals on Wheels co-hosted the 2008 Senior Fair in June, as Lanakila TLC participants donned Rydell High costumes and put on a fun-filled rendition of Grease!
Spend a few minutes and share these delightful moments and more as we also let you know what's coming up!
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Jessie Young shares her memories with Remy Rueda (see slideshow)
Lanakila Meals on Wheels and more! participant still "young at heart" as she celebrates her 105th birthday
Born on May 22, 1903, Ms. Kam Chin Lai, better known as Jessie Young, is still as sharp today as she was in her twenties--which for her, was literally during the "Roaring Twenties." The year she was born, Orville & Wilbur Wright made their historic flight at Kitty Hawk, a loaf of bread cost 4 cents, and the average income was $700/year. Last month, Jessie celebrated her 105th birthday in her Wahiawa home surrounded by friends, family, and Lanakila Meals on Wheels' Director Remy Rueda, Quality Assurance Specialist Alan Petalver ;Volunteer Coordinator Erix Batalon, and volunteer Barbara Ohta. Jessie receives home delivered meals from Lanakila Meals on Wheels every week. Though now blind and slightly hard of hearing, Jessie's memories of the past are still vivid and colorful today.
The youngest and only surviving sibling of 10 brothers and sisters, Jessie has 2 children of her own, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Named by Jessie Mckenzie, founder of the historical Beretania Street Mission, Jessie has since gone by Jessie Kam Chin Lai Young.
A retired school teacher from Wahiawa, Jessie taught some notable students in her time, such as former first lady Jean Ariyoshi and Chief Justice Ronald Moon. As one of Wahiawa Elementary's founding generation of teachers, Jessie was invited back to celebrate the school's 100th anniversary.
Jessie notes some famous branches in the family tree, including her brother, Mr. William Buck Lai, who played major league baseball with legends such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Lou Gehrig. Jessie is also the aunt of surfing legend Rell Sunn, the "Queen of Makaha."
When asked to recall memories of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jessie said, "I remember it was a Sunday morning. My son Bobby, who liked to build model airplanes, was playing in the front yard, when I heard the sound of a plane flying really low to the house. When I went outside to look, Bobby said, "it's not one of our planes!" Just up the street from our house, the crippled Japanese fighter plane crash landed into our neighbor's house and caught fire. With the help of all the neighbors on the block we put out the fire and that's when we noticed the engraving on some of the parts that broke off the plane said, "Made in Connecticut." The house the plane crashed into burned to the ground and the house next to ours was damaged by the fire, but our house was saved."
Jessie's fondest and most cherished memories are of her late husband. According to Jessie, it was very difficult living on a teacher's salary of $110 a month. Her plan was to work at least 4 years before considering marriage so she could save money, but then she met a man who swept her off her feet. After an engagement of only one month they were married at Kawaiahao Church. They moved into their cozy Wahiawa home shortly thereafter, the same home (with the original furniture) that Jessie lives in today. The rest, as they say, is history.
Mahalo to Jessie for allowing us to take part in celebrating her birthday and for sharing her fascinating stories and pictures. | |
Lanakila TLC rocks the house; ignites smiles with "Grease Lightning - TLC Style''
TLC participants and coordinators invited audience members to join in on the dancing and share the fun! (see slideshow)
Hot dance numbers, wide smiles, and non-stop fun graced Lanakila Teaching & Learning Center's (TLC) production "Grease Lightning - TLC Style" on June 13th. The production is one of many activities spotlighting the accomplishments of Lanakila TLC program participants, and encourages the inclusion of people with disabilities in the community and performing arts.
Wearing creative costumes, such as elaborate hair dressings made out of recycled toilet paper rolls, and skirts sewn by TLC coordinators, 128 participants performed 12 dance and musical numbers including "You're the One that I Want," "Summer Nights," and "We Go Together."
Lanakila TLC offers a variety of classes focused on assisting individuals with intellectual and development disabilities, such as mental retardation and autism, to develop and master the basic life skills that are sometimes taken for granted. Through innovative programs such as Lanakila "U", evening and weekend events like camping, theatre, University of Hawaii games and volunteerism, Lanakila TLC promotes self-advocacy and community inclusion.
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Lanakila Meals on Wheels volunteer Bill Enos selected as KOA Award Finalist
 It may sound admirable that, for over a year, Lanakila Meals on Wheels and more! volunteer William "Bill" Enos has single-handedly delivered meals to homebound seniors along the West Oahu Coast from Kapolei to Waianae. But when you hear the story and realize the magnitude of his actions, you realize Mr. Enos is more than just admirable- he's been a steadfast guardian angel for both Lanakila Meals on Wheels and our kupuna. One extraordinary man carrying the load of 7 volunteers so no West Oahu senior goes hungry.
Mr. Enos first started delivering meals for Lanakila Meals on Wheels in 2003. With a modest route of 10 seniors, he serviced mainly the Nanakuli area for his first 3 years. However, when the economy started changing in the summer of 2006, Lanakila Meals on Wheels started losing delivery volunteers, and the Waianae Coast took the hardest hit. Within a six-month span, what was once a team of 7 covering Kapolei to Waianae had dwindled to one-Mr. Enos. As Lanakila faced the crisis of how to deliver desperately needed meals to seniors in these rural areas, Mr. Enos immediately stepped up and said, "Give me all of them. I can do it and they need it."
His commitment has been unwavering. Every Monday and Wednesday around lunch time, Mr. Enos drives up and down the city streets from Nanakuli to Waianae in his familiar blue pickup truck with the wooden camper, stopping at 40 seniors' homes each day. In addition to dropping off much needed meals to seniors, he also brightens their lives with his aloha. He spends time chatting with each senior, making sure they are doing okay and catching up on the week's gossip.
People say, "Mr. Enos is more dependable than the mail!" He had never let a senior go hungry by missing a day or even a single delivery;
Mr. Enos has unselfishly given his time, energy, and resources for 5 years now and he says "I am still going strong! God willing, I'll be here for 5 more and then some."
Congratulations, Mr. Enos, for your well-deserved recognition as a KOA Award Finalist. We are so fortunate, proud, and grateful to have you as part of the Lankila ohana. You are a true Hawaiian hero.
19th Kapolei Outstanding Achievement (KOA) Award honors those who have helped define Kapolei in its growth as O'ahu's second city. It is sponsored by Kapolei Property Development, a subsidiary of the James Campbell Co., the master planner and major landowner of the region.
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AIG Hawaii gives generous gift of food safety
AIG Hawaii has generously donated over $8,700 to Lanakila Meals on Wheels and more! to purchase bulk food carriers along with inset pans, and containers.
The new carriers will improve the safety and efficiency of food served to seniors attending the group dining program. Approximately 1,000 seniors receive meals each weekday at 20 group dining sites throughout Oahu. The funds saved from purchasing the containers will allow the program to serve more than 2,000 meals for seniors in need at the group dining sites.
The new containers maintain a safe food temperature so the food arrive to group dining sites at a safe temperature. The old carriers would lose heat, which was especially dangerous for deliveries from our kitchen in Honolulu to outlying rural areas. To prevent bacteria growth in food, food should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
The carriers also increase efficiency by reducing time spent reheating the food. They will provide at least 10 years of safe food storage. Special care is particularly important for the elderly, and people with weakened immunce systems to prevent serious illness.
We are grateful to AIG for supporting Lanakila Meals on Wheels' Group Dining Centers. |
Lynn Zane, graduate Melinda A., Todd Yamanaka, Rep. John Mizuno, and Rep. Tom Brower (see slideshow)
Lanakila Workforce Resources graduates face the future with pride
Wearing caps and gowns handmade by Lanakila's Production Services, 20 new graduates were cheered on by fellow trainees, family and friends for successfully completing Lanakila Workforce Resources' Training Program. The 2nd Annual Graduation ceremony, held on May 23 at the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium, celebrated the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce. News coverage by KHNL and KITV also helped increase awareness of individuals with disabilties as an untapped labor pool in Hawaii. Special thanks to Dave Vinton of OC16, who emceed the Commencement Ceremony, and legislators who passed out congratulator certificates to each graduate.  One-third of this year's graduates have already found jobs in the community with business that include: Nordstrom Cafe, Todai Restaurant, Diamond Head Grill, Lanakila Maintenance Services, and Ruby Tuesday's. The remaining graduates are currently seeking competitive employment. Lanakila Workforce Resources provides an array of high-quality training, job placement services and resources for job seekers and employers while also supporting personal and financial independence through employment for individuals with challenged lives.
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Lanakila Meals on Wheels' Seniors reach for good health at 2008 Senior Fair
Seniors learned quick and easy stretching exercises to get their blood circulating.
More than 300 participants of Lanakila Meals on Wheels and more's Group Dining Services participated in the 2008 Senior Health Fair at Ala Moana's McCoy Pavilion. The yearly event was sponsored by Lanakila Meals on Wheels and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Public Health Fund. The 2008 Senior Fair featured entertainment by the Kupunas of Gulick, performing their "Staying Alive Exercise," Kuhio Park Terrace's Swinging Kupunas performing the "Macarena/Electric Slide," and Castle High School Performing Arts' Amazing Food Detective.  A big mahalo goes out to World Wide Tours and Travel Service for donating a round trip interisland airfare ticket. Pictured here is Remy Rueda, World Wide Tours representative Robert Lum, and Ichiro Tamashiro, a seasoned traveler who was delighted to win the prize.
The Senior Fair is one of various special events throughout the year hosted by Lanakila Meals on Wheels to encourage seniors to come out and remain active in the community.
Fourteen exhibitors were on hand providing information on health, wellness, and other senior services, including Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii (ATRC), Catholic Charities, Executive Office on Aging (Sage Plus), Elderly Affairs Division and the Department of Emergency Management.
In addition to Lanakila Meals on Wheels' Home Delivery Program, which delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors across Oahu, Lanakila Meals on Wheels Group Dining Services offers convenient community sites on Oahu where seniors can gather and be served a hot, nutritionally balanced meal.
Group Dining Sites also offer seniors the opportunity to socialize with peers and to participate in exercise, recreational, and educational activities that facilitate health maintenance. The goal is to prevent seniors from becoming homebound and requiring home delivered meals. Lanakila Meals on Wheels Group Dining Services provide an average of 1,000 meals daily at 19 locations across Oahu.
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Help drive away senior hunger in the community!
Sign up today for the 13th annual "Drive for Lanakila Meals on Wheels and more!" Golf Tournament presented by Five Star!
Enjoy a fun-filled day with friends, ono food and refreshments from Ruth's Chris Steak House, Romano's Macaroni Grill and HASR Wine Company.
Plus, everyone gets a prize! And there will be fantastic prizes for the top 13 teams such as rounds of golf at renowned golf resorts and luxury hotel getaways!
There will also be fantastic live auction packages including autographed items from Michelle Wie and an amazing trip to the exclusive Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club and luxury hotel stay at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in the Grand Canyon State of Arizona!
All proceeds will help Lanakila Meals on Wheels and more! to provide meals and support for Hawaii's elderly in need.
We look forward to welcoming you personally at the event! |
| Grant Awards
HMSA FOUNDATION
For the second consecutive year, HMSA Foundation is providing a $15,0000 grant to Lanakila Meals on Wheels to provide nutritious home-delivered meals for seniors.
We are grateful for HMSA's continued support, which has also included sponsored public service annoucements on KSSK Radio and Island Scene Magazine. HMSA also donated proceeds from their Island Fresh Festival last year.
Mahalo to HMSA and HMSA Foundation for your generous support! |
Friends of Hawaii Charities
Lanakila Meals on Wheels and more! received a $10,000 grant from long-time supporter, Friends of Hawaii Charities. The organizaion brings together financial resources from the private sector and spirited volunteerism from the community, with the extraordinary natural resources of the state to produce sports and cultural events that generate funds for qualifying not-for-profit endeavors in Hawaii benefiting its women, children, youth, and needy. Thank you to Friends of Hawaii Charities for helping our kupuna! |
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Jhamandas Watumull Fund
Lanakila Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) received a $1,000 grant from the Jhamandas Watumull Fund. Mahalo for your support in building independence for Lanakila TLC's participants!
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Help make a difference Volunteers needed!
Lanakila Meals on Wheels is in dire need of home-delivery volunteers, particularly to service the Nānākuli, Mā`ili, and Wai`anae areas. With more than 60 meals delivered each week to these areas and only 4 dedicated volunteers on these routes, the need for additional volunteers is greater than ever.
Volunteers are also needed for other areas. Please contact Eric Batalon for more information at 356-8532 or via email: ebatalon@lanakilapacific.org
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Visit our new Websites!
We also have an exclusive website for Xpress Chefs! Click on the Xpress Chefs logo to see our menu and learn all about our Social Enterprise.
Much mahalo to Empowered Internet Solutions for their generousity and assistance developing the new websites! | |
