Recovering addict learns gift of giving
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Staff Writer
Raylene Puahi used to sell crack cocaine on the streets of Chinatown. But she was an addict, too, so any cash she made went right back to the rock.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
"I used to sleep on the steps over there," she said yesterday morning, looking out the window at River of Life Mission, while others ate an early Christmas dinner. "We just lived day by day."
Raylene Puahi of Kalihi gives Jerron Goode-Matunding, 5, of Salt Lake, a present at the River of Life Christmas lunch.
Uilani Gaestel of Waimanalo takes a break from volunteering with son, Chris, 16, and daughter, Mahealani, 13, at the lunch.
A prison sentence finally got Puahi out of Chinatown and into recovery, but, strangely enough, God brought her back.
Puahi and her friend Gordean Doyle learned sign language in prison and, after their release, returned to Chinatown to teach others to sign along to Christian music. Nobody seemed very interested except the folks at River of Life. "I remember setting up my boom box and doing 'Shout to the Lord,'" Puahi said.
Soon, they were teaching "spiritual sign" — which is like hula, without the hip swaying — to women struggling with addiction, mental illness and homelessness. They also found jobs at The Cab, a taxi company, and another chance at life.
Puahi could easily see herself in the line that formed on the shady side of North Pauahi Street on Christmas. Old men with distant eyes and faded clothes, young men in tank tops, shorts and slippers, couples whispering into each others' ears, all waiting their turn for a nice meal, and maybe some peace, inside River of Life.
All week, the mission has tried to help people down on their luck by giving them the trappings of the holidays. On Tuesday, those with children were given shopping bags and invited to choose from gifts donated by churches, schools, the military and service clubs. On Christmas Eve, people were able to take free trolley rides to see the downtown light displays.
Yesterday, volunteers, working in three shifts, served dinner at the mission to over 500 people and delivered meals to 160 people.
"We try to provide some dignity so they don't feel like they're just being shoved from one place to another," said Merriesu Marchant, director of operations at River of Life. "This is God's place and they are our guests."
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
A few blocks away at Gateway Park downtown, the Hilton Hawaiian Village provided Christmas dinner to as many as 450 people, who were also able to select from donated clothes. The meals were served by resort workers and family members who volunteered their time.
Keoki Kauhi, center, of Ala Moana, and Priscilla Honohono, right, of Waikiki, serve food at the Kau Kau Wagon at Gateway Park on Christmas morning. About 450 people were served.
"Sometimes, you don't think about the less fortunate," said Gary Manago, the Hilton's director of food and beverage. "This is a chance for us to give back to the community."
An estimated 6,000 people are homeless in Hawai'i, a 90 percent increase since 1999, and social-service providers said they would be overwhelmed without the kindness of volunteers.
For many, River of Life is like a family, safe and secure, a place that will accept you, no matter. Auntie Tee used to come to the mission when she was homeless, but she said she now lives with her daughter and son-in-law in Wai'anae. Still, early yesterday morning, she got on the bus to come into town for Christmas dinner at the mission.
"There is nothing like this, because they welcome everybody. You don't have to be homeless," she said after enjoying a plate of turkey, ham, shrimp, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and rolls. "I come now for the fellowship."
In recovery, Puahi learned that it was wise to avoid places where she might be tempted to slip. But she said she had no worries about coming back to Chinatown and familiar faces, and she was passing out gift bags with cookies and candy at the mission yesterday.
"I see friends that I used to see before," Puahi said. "But God is the man who helps me through. I truly believe that when I walk on these streets, he walks with me."
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
