Posted on: Friday, September 2, 2005
After Katrina, some local kokua
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i Air Ambulance yesterday said the company has sent emergency crews to help assess the needs of thousands affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Officials said crews were going to Houston and Mobile, Ala. The company also stands ready to provide medical supplies, as well as food and blankets, under the direction of the American Red Cross.
The company transports critically ill or injured people from the Neighbor Islands to O'ahu for specialized care.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday announced he is launching Operation Katrina Kokua, a drive to raise money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast and in the Southeast.
Donations will be collected Monday evening at Queen's Beach, where the city's "Parade of Baseball Champions" through Waikiki will end at the Sunset on the Beach set.
"In this time of triumph and celebration for O'ahu, we must not forget that thousands of fellow Americans are still suffering the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina," Hannemann said. "The funds we raise will go to the American Red Cross for victims of Katrina."
Hawai'i-resident students displaced from their universities and colleges in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are being admitted with tuition waivers to one of the University of Hawai'i campuses for the semester.
UH-Manoa has made arrangements with four students from Tulane University and one from Loyola University of New Orleans to enroll temporarily for the semester.
Hawai'i families with students on the Mainland displaced by the hurricane can make similar arrangements by calling one of the UH campuses. Phone numbers are available on the UH-system Web site: www.hawaii.edu.
Shopping malls are teaming up to help the American Red Cross raise money for hurricane victims. Starting today, Ala Moana Center, Victoria Ward Center, Windward Mall, Prince Kuhio Plaza, Queen Ka'ahumanu Center and Whalers Village — all owned and managed by General Growth Properties — will have free-standing Hurricane Katrina relief donation sites.
Kailua High's Project Graduation 2007 will donate 25 percent of the proceeds from its HI 5¢ can and bottle drive tomorrow to hurricane relief efforts. People may donate cans and bottles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the school parking lot.
For more information, call 261-1361 or e-mail kailua2007@hotmail.com.
Dixie Grill is holding a Hurricane Katrina Bar-b-Que Belt Relief Fundraiser on Monday starting at noon. According to owner Ed Wary the restaurant at 404 Ward Ave. is selling barbecue plate lunches for $8 each, with all proceeds going directly to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. For information call 596-8359.
