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Piha me ka Hauʻoli
Full of Happiness
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Summer 2016
“Wheels of Progress” Ready to Roll
T
he moment you arrive
at Hawaiʻi Meals on
Wheels annual gala at
The Willows Restaurant,
you’ll begin your ride on an
unforgettable evening of
fun with great food,
surrounded by great people.
The annual gala, on Thursday,
September 29, from 5:30 pm to
9:30 pm, will feature more activities
than previous galas.
Outstanding Entertainment
Comedian Frank DeLima will
be our special guest entertainer
that evening. We’ll also have the
Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels band,
featuring two of our own talented
employees, Adney Atabay and
Mike Lundy. In addition, Kathy
with a K of iHeart Media, has
agreed to serve as emcee for the
evening once again this year.
Something for Everyone
The gala will also feature a silent
auction, country store, craft fair,
games, caricature portraits,
massages, intuitive readings, and
a costume contest.
Great Food
The Willows Restaurant’s culinary
team is planning a special menu
with seven food stations located
throughout the restaurant,
including one dedicated to
desserts.
Our Honorary Event Chair
This year, we are honored to have
Ed Kemper as the Honorary Chair
of our event. Besides practicing
law on a full-time basis, Mr.
Kemper is the producer and host
of Island Driver TV, an automotive
magazine show which features car
reviews, videos of Hawaiʻi car and
truck shows, and other automotive
topics that airs on Oceanic Cable
(channels 12 and 1012).
He is also an auto writer for
Hawaiʻi Luxury Magazine and the
Honolulu Star-Advertiser and host
of the Auto Lunch Bunch.
Wheels of Progress
The state’s senior population has
increased dramatically since
Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels began
more than 35 years ago and is
expected to keep growing. This
year’s gala theme is “Wheels of
Progress” because it will be a
celebration of our ability to keep
up with the growing demand for
meals, thanks to the generosity of
all of you.
Proper nutrition is key to maintaining the health and independence
of elders.
Please help support Hawai‘i Meals
on Wheels by purchasing tickets
to our gala using the sponsorship
form on page 5. Mahalo!
Page 2 . Piha me ka Hauʻoli Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Summer 2016
Par Hawaiʻi to Match Your Donation!
Piha me ka Hauʻoli
(Full of Happiness)
is a publication for supporters of
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels.
We deliver hot meals and
warm aloha to ensure all of our
recipients are full of happiness.
Our Mission
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels, Inc.,
a private, not-for-profit 501(c)3
organization, is dedicated to helping
Oʻahu’s elders and individuals with
disabilities preserve their
independence at home.
We do this by providing hot, nutritious
meals and regular, personal
interaction with those we serve
Board of Directors
President
Geoffrey Pang
American Business Marketing
Vice-President
Rickey Murashige
Kuakini Health Systems
H & R Block
Secretary
Joanne Kealoha
ILWU Local 142
Treasurer
Donna Ojiri
Sodexo at the University of Hawai‘i
Anna Derby Blackwell
Delivery Volunteer
Retired Public Relations Executive
Ross Esaki
Allstate Insurance
Lella E. Migita
Retired Educator
Theo Stiller
Wealth Strategy Partners, LLC
Samuel Suen
Law Office of Samuel K. L. Suen, LLLC
Robert Takeshita
Territorial Savings Bank
Irmgard Hörmann
Emerita and Founder
The rendering of the new HELE station canopy features the signature speed lines, which
depict the company’s commitment to keep Hawaiʻi moving forward and on the go.
Par Hawaiʻi, previously known as
Tesoro Hawaiʻi, celebrated the
grand opening of its new HELE
station in Kapahulu, located at 707
Kapahulu Avenue, on Saturday,
August 20.
In Hawaiʻian, HELE means “to go”
and the company is committed to
helping Hawai’i Meals on Wheels
remain on the go. There will be a
total of 37 HELE stations on Oahu,
Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.
Par Hawaiʻi has been a sponsor of
our annual gala and has donated
$5,000 in fuel cards for our
volunteers for the past several
years. The company is continuing
its commitment to Hawai’i Meals
on Wheels with an exciting
challenge.
As part of the grand opening
celebration, Par Hawaiʻi is
inviting everyone in the
community to make a donation to
Hawai’i Meals on Wheels.
Par Hawaiʻi will then double the
donations by matching them dollar
for dollar, up to $5,000.
This means Hawai’i Meals on
Wheels can receive up to $10,000
to deliver more meals to those who
are homebound.
“We are truly honored to be one
of the nine nonprofit organizations
selected by Par Hawaiʻi to be a
recipient of this generous offer,”
said Geoffrey Pang, President
of the Hawai’i Meals on Wheels
Board of Directors.
Visit the Hawai’i Meals on Wheels
website and click on the
FirstGiving page to make your
donation online. Or send a check
and designate “HELE grand
opening” on your check. The
matching challenge is good for a
month, so please make your
contribution by September 20,
2016.
Your generous support of Hawaiʻi
Meals on Wheels allows us to keep
delivering meals to homebound
elders and those who are disabled.
Mahalo to Par Hawaiʻi and to you
for your ongoing support and
contributions!
Summer 2016 Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Piha me ka Hauʻoli . Page 3
Michelle Cordero-Lee Named CEO
Wheels, Michelle had been with
Aviva Family and Children’s
Services in Los Angeles, from
2008 to 2015. She started at that
organization as a Development
Coordinator and Grant Writer
before being promoted to serve as
a member of the executive team
as Vice President - Development
and Communications.
The Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Board of Directors named Michelle
Cordero-Lee Chief Executive
Officer of Hawaiʻi Meals on
Wheels. Michelle officially joined
the organization on August 17.
Michelle was selected after an
exhaustive search for a leader,
following the retirement of Claire
Shimabukuro in March 2016.
“We are pleased with the selection
of Michelle, and know that her
vision, leadership, and people
skills, will help move Hawaiʻi Meals
on Wheels forward,” said Geoffrey
Pang, Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Board President.
Nonprofit Leadership
Experience
Michelle has extensive nonprofit
leadership experience in Hawaiʻi
and on the mainland, with a strong
emphasis on development and
communications.
Prior to joining Hawaiʻi Meals on
Aviva Family and Children’s
Services, which provides mental
health services and resources to
at-risk, abused and neglected
children and their families,
operated with an annual $19
million budget.
While at Aviva, Michelle served as
the principal fundraising strategist
to develop and successfully
implement a comprehensive
program that included corporate
and foundation giving,
government grants, major gifts,
capital campaigns, annual
giving, special events, individual
and online giving, planned giving
and in-kind donation drives.
She also oversaw Aviva’s volunteer program, which consisted of
150 volunteers.
Michelle’s nonprofit experience
also included development support
for Malama O Manoa’s Kuleana
Project.
A Passion to Help the
Local Community
Michelle returned home to Hawaiʻi
so that her two young children
could be closer to family here in H
Hawaiʻi. For the past year, she has
helped her husband who
co-founded an international
distribution and marketing
company of natural and organic
products, primarily serving
Southeast Asia.
“My heart and passion still remains
with grassroots nonprofit
organizations that help the local
community,” Michelle said.
“After being on the mainland for 12
years, I’m looking forward to building strong relationships as part of
the Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels team
and to meet the needs of the
rapidly growing kūpuna
population.”
Starting Off With A Law
Career
Michelle is a graduate of ʻIolani
School and graduated cum laude
with a bachelor of arts degree in
communications and journalism
from the University of California
Annenberg School of Journalism
and Communications. She then
received a law degree from
American University Washington
College of Law in Washington, DC.
She served as a Law Clerk to First
Circuit Court Judge Karen
Blondin and served as Site
Manager for the Women Empowered Against Violence program at
the Superior Court of the District of
Columbia in Washington, DC.
Please welcome Michelle to the
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels ʻohana!
Page 4 . Piha me ka Hauʻoli Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Summer 2016
Who Will Be This Year’s Masked Marvels?
E
every year, it has
become a tradition to
hold a costume contest
at the Hawai’i Meals on
Wheels gala.
This year will be no different.
Guests on each table meticulously
plan their costumes and scheme
special themes. It may be a lot
of fun, but guests take the
competition very seriously.
Your costumes are limited only by
your imagination.
It’s your
opportunity to be
whoever you’ve
always wanted to be...
or maybe who you
would never dare to be.
Live dangerously!
So who will be the winners
this year? Will the team at
Kahala Nui continue their winning
streak? Or will Toshiba Business
Solutions claim the title of best
costume this year? Or will someone else surprise all of us and take
the coveted title?
You’ll have to come to gala to find
out who will be the winner. Better
yet, why not raise the stakes in the
competition? Sponsor a table at
the gala and invite your friends to
come fully decked out in their
costumes, dressed to win!
Remember, you must be
present to win, so be sure to tell
your guests to shop at the silent
auction, craft fair or country store,
or get a massage while the
judges determine this
year’s winners for
best costume!
Wheels of Progress
Annual Fundraising Gala to Benefit Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels
The Willows Restaurant
Thursday, September 29, 2016
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Featuring Comedian Frank DeLima for a
delightful evening of laughter and fun!
Sponsorship & Donation Form
I would like to be a part of “Wheels of Progress” to support Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels!
Big Wheel Sponsorship: $5,000
.
.
.
.
8 tickets (1 Table) to Wheels of Progress gala Recognition at Wheels of Progress gala
Featured in HMoW newsletter and website
Recognition in Wheels of Gala printed program
Hot Wheel Sponsorship: $2,500
. 8 tickets (1 Table) to Wheels of Progress
. Recognition in Wheels of Progress printed program
Individual Tickets: $150/ticket *
. Recognition in Wheels of Progress printed program
Your Sponsorship Purchases
I would like to purchase:
___ tables at $5,000 each = $_________
___ tables at $2,500 each = $_________
___ individual tickets at $150 each = $_________
___ Credit Card Information
Table sponsorships, ticket purchases, and donations made
by credit cards are welcome.
Name (on card) _____________________________________
Special Donors
I cannot attend but would like to make a donation: $ ______
. Donations will be acknowledged in the event program.
Card number _______________________________________
Exp. date ____ / ____
m Visa
m MasterCard
Signature __________________________________________
Organization: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Person: _________________________________ Title: _____________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________ City: ______________________________ Zip: ___________
Phone: ________________ Fax: _______________ Email address: _________________________________________________
Please make checks payable to: Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels. Please mail this form to: Hawai‘i Meals on
Wheels at P.O. Box 61194, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96839-1194 or fax to 988-5719 or email to
hmowgala@hawaii.rr.com.
Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All financial contributions
are tax deductible to the fullest extent under the law. Acknowledgement letters will document
amount that is tax deductible. Questions? Call 988-6747.
Your response by Friday, September 2, 2016 is appreciated. Mahalo!
Page 6 . Piha me ka Hauʻoli Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Summer 2016
Safety Checks Can Save Lives
J
ust as vehicles need an
annual safety check, so
do humans, especially as
they age. While annual
physicals for older adults are
important, it’s also critical for more
frequent “safety checks.” That’s
why Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
plays such a valuable role in the
community.
Every meal that a Hawaiʻi Meals on
Wheels volunteer delivers to a
homebound individual comes with
special aloha _ a warm, welcoming
smile and a pleasant reminder that
someone cares.
More Than A Meal
For our meal recipients, it’s sometimes the highlight of their day. It’s
the reason they may wake up in
the morning, something they look
forward to, and a reminder to take
good care of themselves.
As adults age, there may be
increased risks for medical
emergencies, falls and other
accidents. All Hawaiʻi Meals on
Wheels volunteers are vigilant,
ready to call for appropriate
support in case of an emergency,
and the Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
office staff are ready to arrange for
help and notify family members.
These safety checks let seniors
know they are not forgotten!
Saving Lives
The are a number of real-life
stories of Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
volunteers showing up at just the
right time for a safety check.
Deena Ahakuelo, Program
Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Meals on
Wheels, recently shared a touching story about a volunteer whose
keen observation and caring heart
literally saved the life of a client.
The volunteer was making a meal
delivery to a particular client and
called out the client’s name as
usual. Unfortunately, the client’s
voice was too weak to be heard
because he had just suffered a
stroke.
Concerned by the lack of
response, the volunteer
immediately notified the Hawaiʻi
Meals on Wheels office staff, who
called the client’s family.
The family was bringing the client’s
sister home from the hospital and
could not immediately tend to the
client, but with aloha and some
quick-thinking, they came up with a
solution.
Teamwork in Action
The client’s sister contacted
another agency whose personnel had a key to the client’s home.
They were able to open the door,
and found that the client was
having another stroke.
The Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
volunteer rapidly mobilized into
action, calling 911 and encouraging the client to get the medical
attention he needed.
As a result, the client was able to
be put back on a path toward
healing and today is a meal
recipient once again.
Needless to say, the family of that
client is very grateful to Hawaiʻi
Meals on Wheels, and we are
grateful to be able to serve clients
like this.
All in A Day’s Work
This is just one example of the
incidents that Hawaiʻi Meals on
Wheels volunteers encounter.
They occur frequently without
fanfare.
This added layer of protection from
volunteers with caring, observant
hearts, ears and eyes can make a
huge difference when a client’s life
is in the balance.
Your support of Hawaiʻi Meals on
Wheels allows us to continue to
conduct safety checks that saves
lives.
Be a Part of the Team
If you would like to be a part of the
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels team,
contact Brad Akamu, Volunteer
Coordinator, at 988-6747.
You may one day find yourself
coming to the rescue of someone
in need when you least expect it!
Summer 2016 Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Piha me ka Hauʻoli . Page 7
Honoring Our Volunteers for Their Years of Dedication
H
awaiʻi Meals on Wheels’
Board of Directors and
staff had an opportunity
to formally thank all of
the people who are key to the
success of our organization: our
dedicated volunteers.
The annual Volunteer Appreciation
Luncheon was held at the
Japanese Cultural Center on May
14, 2016.
There was a warm spirit of
appreciation that filled the air.
Geoffrey Pang, President of the
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels Board of
Directors, thanked the volunteers
in multiple languages and reminded everyone that it takes a team
-- everyone doing their part -- to
to advance the mission of Hawaiʻi
Meals on Wheels.
Volunteers currently deliver about
85 percent of the meals to those
who are homebound. This allows
more funds to be directed to the
purchase of more meals, so that
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels can
reach more homebound elders and
individuals who are disabled.
Mahalo to Brad Akamu, Volunteer
Coordinator, and the others on the
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels team for
spearheading a great event!
Thank you also to the Bank of
Hawaii employees who generously
volunteered their time to work at
the check-in table to welcome all
the volunteer-guests.
Congratulations to the following
volunteers who reached special
anniversaries and were honored at
the event:
30-Year Awardee Shuk Fon Yuen was surrounded by Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
board members and staff at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held at the
Japanese Cultural Center on May 14.
30 Years of Service
Shuk Fon Yuen
20 Years of Service
Tammie Ackerman
15 Years of Service
John Brogan, Guy Davis,
Jeanne Davis, Dudley Foster,
Audrey Goh,Barbara Huonker,
Dora Johnson, Piilani Kaopuiki,
Roy Miyahira, Judith Miyaji,
Mavis Robinson, Jennifer Shintani,
Bill Stone, and Waiokeola Church
10 Years of Service
Reynold Choy, Easter Seals
Hawaii – HADH, Alvin Fujioka,
Russell Fukumoto,
Mary Jane Honrales, Ronald Kai,
Susan Koki, Dani McCarthy,
Faye Miyamasu,Shirley Morgado,
Jake Murakami,
Na Pono No Na Ohana,
Kathleen Nagahama, Lily Narimasu,
Claire Shimabukuro, Delna Shinohara,
Julie Teruya, and James Xu
5 Years of Service
Gloria Affigne, Kevin Ahern,
Mark Alameida, Kathleen Bow,
Linda Carlson, Gladys Ching,
Jack Durham, Kia Duwel,
Jean Endo, Suzanne Evans,
Maurice Fujimoto, Joy Fujita,
Stella Hakikawa, George Hayashi,
Katherine Hayashi, Cynthia Hoffman,
Kurt Ing, John Ishihara, Milton Kakaio,
Elizabeth Kamida, Carol Kokame,
Kris Kokame, Kelli Kokame,
Catherine Kraft, Gena Lee, Rory Lee,
Wesley Lum, Judy Maeyoshimoto,
Mary Marko, Shirley Murakami,
Jill Oda, Robert Putes, Susan Quimby,
Vivian Rabideau, Karla Redding,
Heloise Richardson, Margery Sheehan, June Shinsato, Marisa Shinsato,
Nancy Tagawa, Bette Uyeda,
Katherine Warner, Patricia Watson,
Adele Wilson, Windward YMCA,
Phillip Wood, Elaine Yamada,
Lloyd Yamada, Lawrence Yamamura,
Diana Yamamura, Fumie Yamasaki,
Roy Yokomizo, Leatrice Yukinaga, and
Yoshio Yukinaga
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
P.O. Box 61194
Honolulu Hawai‘i 96839-1194
Phone: Fax:
Email:
Website:
808.988.6747
808.988.5719
hmow@hawaii.rr.com
www.hmow.org
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HONOLULU, HI
PERMIT NO. 9729
Return Service Requested
Save the Date!
Wheels of Progress
Annual Fundraising Gala
The Willows Restaurant
Thursday, September 29, 2016
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
#70190
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
Office Staff
Michelle Cordero-Lee
Chief Executive Officer
Deena Ahakuelo
Program Coordinator
Brad Akamu
Volunteer Coordinator
H. Doug Matsuoka
IT Coordinator/Delivery Driver
Andy Merriam
Administrative Coordinator
Xanthie Moss
Joal Murakami
Ruth Palmer
Program Assistants
Adney Atabay
Mike Lundy
Delivery Drivers
Julie Teruya
Office Assistant
#48796
Show Your Aloha!
You can help Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels
continue to deliver hot, nutritious meals
to those who are homebound by
participating in Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching
Gifts Program.
Throughout September, when you make a tax-deductible donation at
the checkout at any Foodland, Foodland and Western Union Foundation will match your contribution up to $249. To make a donation to
Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels (code #77345), simply present the cashier
with your Maika‘i card.
Your generous donation, along with the matching funds, will allow us
to further our mission by purchasing meals from kitchen partners in the
community to deliver to the homes of those who may not be able to
shop for groceries or cook for themselves.
When you’re at the checkout counter, please remember that every
donation adds up. Even a $1 donation can help. A $5 donation can
provide a meal for homebound kūpuna. So the next time you shop at
Foodland, think about Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels! Mahalo!