'Ewa Beach kids get wet, sweat for clean cars, lives

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two-year-old Izaya Delos Santos assists Nani Tuiolemotu, left, Shiella Deguzman, center, and Velma Pantohan in wiping down a freshly washed car. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Nani Tuiolemotu, 14, a veteran of previous car wash extravaganzas, explained the process:

"You need a lot of soap and water, the strength to get the dirt off, skills to make the car shine and plenty of teamwork," she said shortly after the laughter and sloshing started at 8 a.m. yesterday.

But this bunch was on a mission: to legitimize the free Movies on The Wall Nights as a way to give kids in 'Ewa Beach something to do instead of using drugs and getting into trouble.

Movies on The Wall Nights started and ended in December. But wasn't as if the first Movies on The Wall Night failed. Folks showed up in droves to watch a show on the wall of the Hale Pono Boys and Girls Club at 91-884 Fort Weaver Road. It was like a mini-Sunset on The Beach under one roof.

Everything was on the house — the film, the popcorn, the food, the snacks, the info from the numerous education booths.

"It was fun," recalled Archie Trajano, 13. "We saw 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' There were a whole lot of people there — I'd say maybe 300."

Then came harsh reality: It broke the law. No one had bothered to get the $450 movie license required to show films to the public. That could have ended Movies on The Wall Night then and there.

But these kids were determined.

"They were like, 'We're not going to let this stop us,' " said Kymberly Pine, with the area Weed & Seed program, which coordinated and sponsored the car wash with the community groups Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawai'i and Ewalution.

Kevin "Gator" Gatewood, the new-car sales manager for the Cutter GMC Mazda dealership in Waipahu, not only provided the venue and free hot dogs and sodas, but also tossed in a $100 donation for good measure.

Jacob Tuaoa-Medeiros, 14, whose parents were heavy drug users, was brought up by a sister to learn the value of staying drug-free. He says he wants to motivate others. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kathy Paulo-Hirai pulled in to get her van washed and drove away having made an additional $25 donation.

"I just found out these kids are raising money to provide more activities in 'Ewa Beach," she said. "I'd like to support them even more."

By the time the five-hour party was over, the teens had raised $580.

"This car wash may not seem like a big thing, but it symbolizes something that's very important to these kids," Pine said. "This drug thing in 'Ewa Beach is really bad."

Then she quietly added, "Unfortunately, for some of these kids, their parents aren't there for them."

One such person happily slopping soap was Jacob Tuaoa-Medeiros, who could serve as the poster child for the results of a positive family influence in the face of huge odds.

Both of his parents were heavily into drugs, he says. His father was murdered gangland-style in what authorities contend was a drug-related killing when Jacob was 6 months old. His mother was unable to care for him.

Yet, at 14, Jacob is drug-free and plans to keep it that way. He also wants to motivate others to live healthy.

"My older sister, Leona, she was the one who raised me," he said. "She just kept talking to me about not using drugs. She told me how bad they are and how they could affect my life. I didn't want that to happen."

So, the Movies on The Wall Nights will resume next month.

In the meantime, Jacob and his teen group from the Boys and Girls Club will take their education booth to area events to promote healthy living.

Usually, they focus on those their own age. But anything can happen.

One person Jacob has helped motivate is his mother, who he's pleased to report has been drug-free for the past five years.

Reach Will Hoover at 525-8038 or whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.