Students to stage homeless benefit

By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Tierney Morikawa and River Kim don't know any of the homeless people who haunt the streets of Honolulu but, like everyone else, the two teens see them pushing their overflowing shopping carts, hanging out by Chinatown soup kitchens and sleeping in Ala Moana Beach Park.

River Kim, left, and Tierney Morikawa, Punahou ninth-graders, discuss Malama Jam, their upcoming fund-raiser intended to benefit homeless people through the Institute for Human Services. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We have so much and are so fortunate," Morikawa said. "There are people out there that don't even have a home. We feel that because we have so much, we have an obligation to give back. This is an opportunity to do that."

Kim added: "This is something we feel strongly about. Our hearts go out to them."

After months of organizational work, the two of them have put together a benefit variety concert and dance program planned, managed and to be performed entirely by dozens of student volunteers from public and private high schools across O'ahu.

Malama Jam will by held May 16 in the Mamiya Theatre at Saint Louis School.

The pair hope to raise $10,000 to $15,000 from the concert, a silent auction, food sales and donations, which will be given to the Institute for Human Services for its homeless programs.

"We wanted something fun, and right from the start we thought music," Kim said. "It is a fun way to help the homeless and showcases youth who want to get their talent out there."

Kim and Morikawa, both 15, have been friends since kindergarten. They have shared homerooms and taken tennis lessons and danced hula together. They also share a desire to make the world a better place and to show that "kids can make a difference," Morikawa said.

They visited IHS, the only emergency homeless shelter on O'ahu, before making their final decision to make the program the beneficiary of Malama Jam.

"We were pretty moved," Morikawa said. "All the volunteers at IHS care about is giving to these people and helping them get back on their feet. They are not there for personal gain — they are there to help the homeless."

Margot Schrire, volunteer manager with IHS, said money is tight and the shelter is overflowing with homeless clients. Grants are often restricted for a specific use, but the Malama Jam money will be flexible and can be used where needed most.

"It's encouraging to know that young people are aware of the shelter and these are Punahou kids that are collaborating with other students from other schools," Schrire said. "River and Tierney are very bright, dynamic, and if you see the amount of work and strategy they are doing, this is pretty inspiring."

The student volunteers contacted activities directors at several schools to help gather talented acts willing to perform. The lineup includes students from Punahou, Moanalua High, Assets School, Farrington High, Waldorf School, Kamehameha Schools and Iolani School who will perform everything from traditional Hawaiian songs, to Broadway tunes, and pop, rock and reggae.

Farrington is sending a hip-hop dance group; Waldorf, a 10-piece rock band.

The silent auction will feature student art and photography and donated items such as surfboards.

Greg Kim, River's father and adviser for the project, said he is proud of all the students.

"They are taking some chances here," he said. "There is a lot of learning, but the thrust was they wanted to help the homeless and they thought rather than just writing a check, they could create something bigger and do more good."

If the pair have their way, Malama Jam will do good for a long time to come. They hope to make it an annual event to benefit charity.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.