Two beloved Hawaii traditions — sharing aloha and barbecuing — are coming together Saturday to feed the homeless in Kakaako.
Mililani residents Kelly Potes and wife Stacy are spearheading the first Feed the Streets event, featuring on-site grilling, and are looking for donations and helpers to serve up 300 bentos of rice, chicken and hot dogs.
Kionina Kaneso is among those planning to enjoy the fresh-cooked meal. Her family, which includes 2-year-old granddaughter Keioleen, has been living at Kakaako Waterfront Park for the past couple of years. Kaneso said they can’t leave their tent unattended for fear their food and belongings will be stolen, so she’s looking forward to a warm meal for her family.
Cheyenne Suka has been living in the park for about six months. He’s healing from two amputated toes but maintains an upbeat attitude and said he plans to spread the word to his friends about the Feed the Streets project.
The Poteses say Feed the Streets, whose name was inspired by the monthly Eat the Street food festival in Kakaako, is a natural extension of their Web-based clothing store Blessed Project Hawaii, which sells screen-printed T-shirts and other apparel adorned with a "BLSD" (for "blessed") logo.
For every shirt they sell, they donate one to a child or other person in need. "Our goal is to start a movement and create an awareness of selflessness, compassion, kindness and the spirit of giving," according to their website.
FEED THE STREETS
» When: 8:30 am. to 2 p.m. Saturday
» Where: Kakaako Waterfront Park
» Info/Volunteer: Email theblessedproject@gmail.com or glorifiedsupplyco@gmail.com
WISH LIST:
» Cooked rice
» Packs of hot dogs
» Marinated chicken
» Grills and charcoal
» Cutting boards/utensils to prepare and cut food
» Coolers/ice
» Trash bags/paper towels/toilet paper
» Pop-up tents/chairs/tables
» Hand cart or wagon to distribute food |
Kelly Potes, a 32-year-old munitions systems journeyman with the Air National Guard, said his family, which includes 5-year-old son Kacy and 2-year-old daughter Kaley, has everything they need and want to share their blessings.
"We try to be selfless and thankful for all of the things that we have," he said.
His 32-year-old wife, a teacher at Leilehua High School, said helping those less fortunate brings additional fulfillment to their lives.
The Poteses are hosting Saturday’s Kakaako cookout in collaboration with Glorified Supply Co., another Christian clothing retailer, but more assistance is needed. "Whether it’s the donation of a pack of hot dogs, water or a bag of chicken, anything helps," Kelly Potes said. "We also need folks to help with the cooking process and put together the bentos."
Grills will be set up and the food prepared on-site. Once the bentos are packaged, volunteers will walk around to tents and distribute the meals.
Because the Poteses frequent Kakaako, bringing their kids to the park or the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center, and attending the Honolulu Night Market, they decided to stage their first Feed the Streets there. They hope to expand the project to other locations.
"There are so many tents in that small area. It’s heartbreaking. You see lots of families and kids," Kelly Potes said.
"There’s been a lot of light shed on the homeless community lately. So for just one day, we want to show everyone that we’re on the same team. We are not pushing this as a religious event. It’s a way to bring our family, friends and community together."