Maui Nursery at Heart of Lilies for Abilities Fundraiser

Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Howard’s Nurseries and Foodland are teaming up again this year to help support Easter Seals Hawaii with the annual “Lilies for Abilities” fundraiser.

One dollar from every lily plant purchased at any Foodland or Sack ‘N Save statewide, between today and Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, will be donated to Easter Seals Hawaii.

The lilies are grown locally at Howard’s Nurseries in Kula, Maui and are available for $8.99 each.

Howard Takishita, owner of Howard’s Nurseries, Inc., has a special passion for the annual fundraiser.

At 3 years old, Takishita was one of the first polio children at Easter Seals Maui to benefit from the center’s rehabilitation services.

Howard and Sandy Takishita have contributed to the Lilies for Abilities program over the last 11 years by planting, growing, and harvesting thousands of the lilies at their nursery.

The flowers are in turn, made available for sale throughout the state, thanks to transport supplied by Young Brothers, and distribution by Armstrong Produce.

Easter Seals Hawaii provides therapy, training and services to more than 5,000 individuals and their families each year who have disabilities and special needs.

Programs provided by Easter Seals include:

• Early Intervention Program: designed to help infants and toddlers with developmental delays work towards developmental milestones.
• Youth Services Program: provides social and recreational opportunities, designed to support and encourage self-esteem, independence, and social growth among school-aged youth with developmental disabilities and other special needs.
• Adult Day programs and Workforce Development programs: provide individualized goals and skill development while promoting self-determination.  The programs also help participants reach their full potential. Job coaching and placement are also offered.
• The Support Services Program: helps individuals achieve personal goals of independence in the home and community through one-on-one support.

Easter Seals Hawaii was established in 1947, and offers 24 service programs on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Lanai, and the Big Island. The non-profit organization employs 500 people, and delivers more than 500,000 hours of direct services.