A Note from Nico Leilani Verissimo
Executive Director, Hualalai ‘Ohana Foundation
Thank you to each and every one of the 77 Hualalai members who collectively contributed to the Hualalai Crisis Response Fund appeal for support, raising $350,000 in just a few short weeks. We reached out to furloughed employees to ask them what their greatest needs and concerns were. They told us that food, support for utility payments and basic life necessities were most pressing.
So, in true ‘ohana fashion, we reached out to the local business community to ask for their support. And, gratefully, those businesses stepped up to provide support in the form of additional gift cards on our purchases to KTA Super Stores, Foodland, Hawaii Electric Light Co., Target and Costco. Recognizing the caliber of Hualalai employee talent and training, Target even offered to hire furloughed employees until such time the resort is back to normal operations. Wow.
The Hawaiian word for this is “kakou” meaning “inclusiveness” and “were all in this together”. Kakou is the language of “WE” and, here at the ‘Ohana Foundation there’s nothing more important.
On May 1, 2020, in partnership with the Hualalai Resort and Four Seasons leadership, the Hualalai ‘Ohana Foundation distributed 400 carefully curated customized ‘Ohana Kokua Kits to local employee families through a drive-thru parade here at Hualalai. It was no small feat to get 400 cars in and out of Hualalai in under 2 hours but we did it – thanks to you! It’s amazing what “WE” can do together. Employees didn’t know what was inside their Kokua Kits but we made sure to make them feel loved. And since “Good News” bars seem to be in short supply these days, we included a roll of “Lifesavers” along with the gift cards and flyers on our scholarships and medical support programs. Just because – why not?
Thank you to the members who created homemade “We Miss You!” signs and drove your golf carts to the distribution site. Seeing you lined up with your signs and shakas held high was just golden and unforgettable. May Day is lei day in Hawaii and your aloha really showered the employee ‘ohana with the type only Hualalai can offer. Your concern for the well-being of the employee ‘ohana is clear. And because words cannot possibly capture the depth of aloha and appreciation that the employees have for what you have made possible, we figured it would be best if we shared their heartfelt, overjoyed, tear-inducing thank you notes with you instead. We like to call them “Tissue Box Mahalos” because that’s just the only way to describe it.
We know you’re busy and there’s not a lot of time in the day. But, if nothing else, please read the note on the first page of the link below. To us, it says everything.
Enjoy! LINK TO MAHALO NOTES HERE
It melts my heart knowing how much you all care. As I drove away after picking up my kit, I saw home owners waiting to say hello and I started to cry. I have never felt so proud to be part of a community.
Yes. Something special is happening here. If you’re interested in being part of it, or inviting a friend to do so, please visit us at HualalaiOhanaFoundation.org or email nicoleilani.hof@gmail.comor call us at 325-8177.
“WE” are all here for you.
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