Kūpa‘a Kaua‘i

By Tommy Noyes

Kūpa‘a Kaua‘i is a multi-faceted economic recovery program coordinated by our mayor’s office. Kūpa‘a Kaua‘i’s logo reflects the people of Kaua‘i pulling together, committed to a common goal. It represents our resilience, strength and aloha spirit. Throughout this unprecedented time, our Kaua‘i community has continued to rise above and support each other in so many inspiring ways. The program’s motto is “Together, let’s move Kaua‘i forward.”

Local nonprofits were recently encouraged to identify people who have excelled in community strengthening efforts during the pandemic. Twenty-four nonprofits nominated 62 individuals meriting our gratitude.

Many of these outstanding individuals are profiled on Kūpa‘a Kaua‘i’s Facebook and Instagram sites. This story draws your attention to a few deserving participants whom you might know. If so, please share your personal appreciation for their constructive actions.

Cozy Bowl owner Dominic Chambers, seen here at the new Aloha Market at NTBG, was nominated as an ‘outstanding individual’ for her support of community members in need. Photo by Léo Azambuja

Nourish Kaua‘i nominated three outstanding individuals who supported community members in need. They are Cozy Bowl owner Dominique Chambers, volunteer Debi La Blanc, and Mark Willman. Nourish Kaua‘i asked Willman, Kaua‘i Bible Church’s administrator, to be a partner in distributing food. Willman readily agreed, has built relationships with the kupuna on his route, and cares for them deeply.

Youth engagement service provider Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua‘i nominated Kyle Luken and Chris Molina, while the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i nominated Evan Jesse Zamora-Babila-Schrader.

When pandemic-triggered travel bans stranded Silicon Valley developer Wissam Ali Ahmad on Kaua‘i, he donated his technical skills through Mālama Kaua‘i to develop food distribution systems. These seven people were also recognized for refining and implementing various support and recovery effort systems: Triana Baclayon, Erin Cobb-Adams, Darryl Kua, Terry and Tracy Liu, Rachelle Nam, and Samantha Souza.

Japanese Grandma restaurant owner Keiko Napier, of the Hanapepe Economic Alliance, was part of a group that helped others to benefit from available fiscal support initiatives. Photo by Léo Azambuja

Understanding economic stimulus policies is challenging during the best of times, and the pandemic has only complicated matters. Addison Bulosan of the Rice Street Business Association plus Joanna Carolan, Lynn Danaher, Judith Page and Keiko Napier of the Hanapepe Economic Alliance all stepped up to help others to benefit from available fiscal support initiatives. As a retailer and restaurateur, Napier not only supported Westside communities in remarkable ways, she also kept her Hanapepe businesses open and expanded her location to create a safe place for both employees and guests.

Raising awareness of environmental concerns is a crucial on-going endeavor. Nominated by the Anaina Hou Community Park, Mehana Blaich Vaughan, a professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management at UH Mānoa, studies the interactions between people and the environment, particularly how people use, care for, and make decisions about natural resources at the local level. Kaua‘i Animal Welfare Society volunteers Jessica Drent and Casey Vandor demonstrated the best traits volunteers can bring to a nonprofit: reliability and enthusiasm. Agriculturalists Carrie Laatsch and Julia Matsehe contributed to advancing The Monkeypod’s mission of helping Kaua‘i grow, create and utilize sustainable resources so that our island will be less dependent on unsustainable commodities. John Kaneholani serves as a mentor and cultural advisor at Kapa‘a High School’s Laulima Garden Project.

Visit www.kauaiforward.com for news of Kūpa‘a Kaua‘i current affairs.

• Tommy Noyes is Kaua‘i Path’s executive director, a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor and active with the Kaua‘i Medical Reserve Corps.