Tin Roof “Mochiko Chicken.” File photo.

Local businesses have raised $250,000 to help feed Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna as a part of The Show Aloha Challenge. 

Launched in March of this year, The Show Aloha Challenge focuses on serving vulnerable, homebound seniors nutritious meals from locally owned restaurants.

The initiative was created by local businessmen Michael Gangloff, President of Mira Image Construction; Lanai Tabura, Comedian, MidWeek columnist and TV host of Cooking Hawaiian Style; and Seiji Aspengren and Corey Correa, Owners of Landmark Logistics Corporation.

Hawaiʻi-based real estate investment firm Fergus & Company has donated $15,000, Oʻahu and Maui based Construction company MIRA Image Construction LLC donated an additional $20,000 for a total of $60,000, and Hawaiian Electric and the Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation have donated $50,000 to the Show Aloha Challenge. This financial infusion will help support families and local businesses on Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.

“We are happy to support the Show Aloha Challenge to take care of our seniors and to support our local restaurants during these challenging times,” said Alex Fergus, Principal, Fergus & Company.

“As Winston Churchill said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” said Michael Gangloff, President, MIRA Image Construction LLC.

“We’re proud to partner with others in our communities to support local businesses and help feed our seniors at the same time. At this critical moment, let’s all continue to share our aloha,” added Connie Lau, HEI Foundation Board Chair.

Organizers say The Show Aloha Challenge has a three-fold purpose:

1. Fill a vital gap in the community by providing nutritional meals to seniors who do not qualify for government-subsidized home meal delivery programs such as Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels and Lanakila Pacific;

2. Support local restaurants that are impacted by shutdowns; and

3. Continue to challenge other organizations to join this important effort.
   

Meals are collected from participating restaurants and are distributed by Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels, St. Francis Healthcare System and Lanai Senior Center.

Participating Restaurants & Community Supporters Include:

1. A&G Steaks And Things
2. Aloha Salads
3. Big City Diner
4. Blue Ginger (Lanai)

5. Bob’s Bar-B-Que

6. Caraval Cafe

7. Champs Sports Bar & Grill
8. Elena’s Filipino Food
9. Kogi Aina
10. Koa Pancake House

11. Mad Bene

12. Maile’s Thai Bistro
13. ‘Ōlena
14. Pioneer Saloon
15. Sugoi Bento
16. Tin Roof (Maui)
17. Yanagi Sushi
18. Young’s Fish Market

• St. Francis Healthcare System, one of the largest post-acute systems in the state, is providing intake services and has expanded its call center and driver pool. Salesforce has waived licensing fees for St. Francis through April to allow more drivers to access a meal delivery app on their mobile devices to accommodate the volume of meal requests and to enhance efficiency. American Savings Bank (ASB), Nan Inc. and UHA Health Insurance are also providing Infrastructure support to St. Francis, including a donation of $25,000 from ASB.

• Elite, a transportation partner with St. Francis Healthcare System, is providing a fleet of vehicles and drivers to deliver the meals from the restaurants to the homes of seniors.
  
• Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels volunteers will also assist in this meal delivery initiative, while continuing to deliver meals to their regular participants.

Criteria for Free Meals
Seniors must meet the following criteria to qualify for the program and each request will be assessed on a case by case basis:

• Must be 60 years or older;
• Have an underlying health condition that puts them at risk for further medical complications;
• Have limited resources such as limited family support to prepare meals or no reliable transportation; and
• Not receiving services from other government-subsidized meal programs, including home delivered meals.

Seniors who would like to sign up for the meal delivery service may call St. Francis Healthcare System at (808) 547-6501.

Click here for more information.