Children feted by Waikiki police
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer
WAIKIKI — They came dressed up in slacks and dresses, their hair combed and their smiles bright, tugging their parents and grandparents by the arm to the ninth annual Aloha Christmas Party.
Seventy-five of Jefferson Elementary School's 540 pupils were invited to the party at the Sheraton Waikiki's Lanai Ballroom. The enthusiasm was so thick, it could be carved up on a platter like the ham and turkey served at the buffet.
The Aloha Christmas Party is the brainchild of Honolulu police officer Lenny Kupihea, who has persuaded most of the officers at HPD's Waikiki station to shop and wrap presents and has encouraged other businesses to help out with a special evening for these children, some who might not even have a Christmas.
"The officers just love doing this," Kupihea said. "For a lot of these kids, this will be their Christmas. They're special kids with financial challenges."
The project started with the police adopting a couple of families. It has grown to dinner and presents and entertainment for 75 pupils and their families at the Sheraton event, plus lunch and gifts earlier in the day at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki & Spa for 31 pupils in wheelchairs. All the children come from Jefferson Elementary School on the Kapahulu end of Waikiki.
The police officers, the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau, DFS Galleria and the Food Pantry all step forward every year and donate time, money and gifts to provide the Christmas feast. Officer Debbie Higa's father, Donald Higa, helps out every year by collecting stuffed toys from vending machines. This year he delivered six large bags filled with new stuffed animals.
The families feasted on turkey dinner in a decorated ballroom at one of Waikiki's fanciest hotels. The evening in the ballroom came to a close with a visit from Santa Claus, who gave each child a present with his or her name on it. Then they went on a trolley ride to the Honolulu City Lights display downtown.
"The whole purpose of this is for the children," said Maj. Thomas Nitta. "Some of these kids might not have anything without this. But we don't usually publicize this because we don't want to offend anyone's pride."
Mindy Balos, a fifth-grader who was at the party with her brothers and her parents, was very excited about the evening. She didn't know what to expect of the ballroom and the polished silver, but she knew that the gift she'd receive would be special.
"I'm going to wait until Christmas to open it," Mindy said.
Police officers chipped in cash to buy the presents. Employees and staff at the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau, instead of exchanging gifts among themselves, donated 60 wrapped presents to the cause. Corporations ponied up cash and food items.
The children are selected on the basis of need, a tall order for a school that has 57 percent on free or reduced-priced lunch, said Vivian Hee, Jefferson Elementary School principal for the past 13 years. In some cases pupils who are in the most need have been treated to Christmas at the Sheraton more than once. Each year, the children are selected by the teachers, Hee said.
"It's hard to select just a handful of students," said Hee. "But we have other programs on campus, and the teachers and staff know which families are really in need."
What makes the program successful is that everything is done in dignity, Kupihea said. This is not a handout but, rather, a bridge from the police and businesses to their neighbors, he said.
"You know the kids learn to see the police as human beings," Kupihea said. "They see that the police officers care. It's a different side of law enforcement."
Lawaun Stewart, a 12-year-old who came with her two brothers and grandmother, said this was her second year at the feast.
"It was special to be picked," she said.
Her brother Earl showered and dressed early to get to the hotel in time.
Their grandmother, Laverne Nihinu, gave them Emily Post lessons on which forks and glasses to use.
"They didn't want to miss this," Nihinu said as her red earrings sparkled.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
