Aloha Initiative Launches Clothing Drive for Arriving Families

By Wendy Osher

The Aloha Initiative's Keith Regan is pictured here with government officials in Japan during a visit to the region in April.

Organizers of the Aloha Initiative today launched a clothing drive for families arriving in Hawai’i from Japan.  The families were selected for the respite stay following the March earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.  The first families to benefit from the program are due to arrive on Oahu and Maui on July 4, 2011.

To further help those affected by the disaster, program organizers are collecting clothing and monetary donations.

On Maui, new or gently used clothing can be dropped off at:

• Araki-Regan & Associates, 1823 Wells St, Suite 2A, Wailuku;
• Kahului Hongwanji Mission, 291 S. Puunene Ave. Kahului; or
• Omochaya in Pukalani Terrace Center (Omochaya requests that donors call 572-9833 beforehand)

On O’ahu, clothing donations can be dropped off at:

• Hope Chapel West Oahu in the Waikele Shopping Center, 94-877 Lumiaina Street, Building 12, in Waipahu.  Donations will be received on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on the first Saturday of each month in July and August from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Monetary donations are also needed and we thank First Hawaiian Bank for its generous donation as well as for allowing all of their branches throughout Hawaii to serve as collection points until July 15,” said Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa, Honorary Chair of The Aloha Initiative.

Beneficiaries were selected for the program based on greatest personal need and circumstance. Families being flown to Hawai’i will spend up to 90 days with island host families that volunteered to provide a warm, nurturing environment.

The Aloha Initiative is paying for ground transportation and the discounted airfare to and from Hawai’i, as well as traveler’s insurance.

For more information about The Aloha Initiative, call 280-1299 on Maui or 292-1262 on Oahu, or visit www.alohainitiative.com.