By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
HILO — Two days before Thanksgiving, Hope Services Hawaii hosted its annual Homeless Luncheon — an event celebrating community connection where unsheltered people in East Hawaii could receive a hot meal and access to other essential services.
A total of 168 guests received lunch Nov. 25 from an all-volunteer waitstaff representing various organizations in the community at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale in Hilo. The gathering, which included live entertainment, also provided a wide array of vital services and connections to medical and social service providers.
Among the offerings available were mobile showers, free haircuts, activities, prizes and a clothing boutique.
Brianna Hogan, prevention case manager for Hope Services Hawaii, said that clothing comes up often in her interactions with clients.
“It’s something that I get questioned about a lot during the year from my clients (if Hope Services Hawaii has clothes),” Hogan said. “When this event comes around, we always let them know there are clothes for kids and adults, please come take what you need.”
The celebration honors individuals who are unsheltered or living in housing through Hope Services Hawaii, a Hawaii island-based nonprofit affiliate organization of the Diocese of Honolulu.
“It’s an opportunity to serve our community, engage and talk story, and make connections, not only for the people that we serve, but also our community,” said Brandee Menino, chief executive officer of Hope Services Hawaii. “They want to come out and help, and we are just providing those opportunities for others to serve.”
Planning for the event began in August, according to Carrie Hoopii, director of outreach and interim case management at Hope Services Hawaii.
“Our goal is to let those who are in shelter have a meal where they can come together, they can feel safe, they can have the resources and just have a sense of belonging to our community,” Hoopii said. “We let them know they’re not alone.”
Sloan Kahihikolo, a stylist at Supercuts hair salon, said there were a dozen stylists from several different salons who volunteered at the event, which has been a staple in the community for more than 25 years. She mentioned that staff members from Supercuts also volunteer at other charitable events, and the company supports the community outreach.
“Times are hard, and this is something we can do and make them feel a lot better about themselves,” Kahihikolo said.
According to Hoopii, other partner organizations that participated in the event included Hale Pule Ke Ola Hou Church, Rotary Club of Hilo, Kumukahi Health and Wellness, Project Vision Hawaii, Vibrant Hawaii, Child and Family Services, Neighborhood Place of Puna, Going Home Hawaii, Hawaii Island Community Health Care Center, Gen Mobile, St. Joseph School, Kamehameha Schools, Teen Challenge, United Healthcare and Hawaii County, in addition to the many volunteers who were not affiliated with an organization.
“It’s good to see all of the partners come together and work together because I think in unity comes success,” Hoopii said.
For more information about Hope Services Hawaii, visit hopeserviceshawaii.org or call (808) 935-3050.
Top, volunteers chatted with people experiencing homelessness Nov. 25 during Hope Services Hawaii’s annual Homeless Luncheon at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale in Hilo. Above, a stylist gave an attendee a haircut — one of the many services available thanks to volunteers from a wide range of community partners. (Photos by Lisa Dahm / Hawaii Catholic Herald)