Donors pave way for Waimanalo parade

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

WAIMANALO — An outpouring of support has ensured that today's Waimanalo Christmas parade will have enough candy for the children and food for participants.

Responding to an Advertiser story that ran Wednesday telling how the organizers needed more money to pull off the annual event, everyone from business groups to ordinary people donated a total of $1,750, said Wilson Ho, parade committee member and chairman of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board.

"People I don't know contributed, from Kailua and all over," Ho said. "I'm overwhelmed. People are wonderful."

The organizers were working with a shoestring budget of $1,500 and had collected about $875.

After the story appeared, 11 donations came in, including 25 pounds of candy from the Kalihi Business Association and 40 pounds of candy from Waimanalo Dental Clinic.

Among the first to call was Mike McKenna, owner of McKenna Motors Windward Ford and Volkswagen/Mazda dealers, offering $1,000.

McKenna, a strong supporter of Kailua events, said he decided to make a contribution after reading the story.

He wanted to know how much more was needed, then he more than doubled that amount.

Parade chairman Andrew Jamila Jr. called the response "awesome."

"This means a merry, merry Christmas for Waimanalo," Jamila said.

People began phoning in pledges Wednesday morning, he said. Keneke's, a Waimanalo drive-in diner, has donated 500 hot dogs and buns, but the money will allow the committee to purchase more, Jamila said

Kevin Andrews of Plant Research Corp. will pay the $300 for parade insurance.

Someone even offered a case of eggs and it was accepted, Jamila said.

"Five dollars, $15 — every donation is worthwhile," he said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.