Kimi Birthday Fundraiser to Benefit Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center

I hope you and your ‘ohana are doing well and are making the best of these uncertain times. Among many things, this year has allowed us opportunity for self-reflection – as individuals, as ‘ohana, and as a greater community. Our neighbors and friends have shown tremendous compassion, generosity, resourcefulness and resilience through feeding those struggling, supporting local businesses, standing up to injustice, and maintaining the efforts to care for our environment. And while our ability to gather has been limited, the resolve of our community has been nothing short of inspiring.

I’m so grateful to be surrounded and mentored by many dynamic leaders. Recently, I joined a small community organization that has been working to protect the last remaining springs and fishponds in Honolulu. Since 2007, the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center’s site-based learning programs have engaged thousands of young people and community members in Hawaiian fishpond stewardship and restoration. Located on the southeast end of O‘ahu in the ‘ili of Kuli‘ou‘ou and Niu respectively, Kānewai Spring and Kalauha‘iha‘i Fishpond are two of the cultural sites stewarded by the community through the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center.

This year for my birthday, with safety in mind, I thought a virtual gathering of friends could be a great opportunity to connect, learn some history, and support a wonderful cause. Over the next few days, I will be posting items on my social media pages that have been donated by wonderful, generous, passionate, and all-around kickass people. Most are small business owners or practitioners who share the same values of aloha for our island home. With these posts, I’ll be sharing stories about the areas within Maunalua Bay – roughly from Leahi (Diamond Head) to Koko Head. 100% of the donations raised will go directly to the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center to support their work in education, environmental restoration, and perpetuation of cultural practices and places.

Rules: This is intended to be fun, mixed with a little history, and to support a great cause. All items will be available for bid through Saturday, October 17, closing at 10pm.

All bidding must be done on the main Facebook post, and the starting bid + increments will be posted for each item.

There are roughly twenty items, totals range in value from $20 - $650. Don’t forget Christmas is right around the corner, so bid for yourself or for a special someone! And if you’re not the winning bidder, please keep these retailers in mind for future shopping needs!

Mahalo for celebrating with me!