Fundraising fun for the whole family.The public is invited to a free “kani ka pila” featuring home-grown live entertainment and a variety of cultural performances for the entire family at Cameron Center’s Eighth Annual Bazaar on Friday, Aug. 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. Radio personality Alaka‘i Paleka, KPOA’s Morning Goddess, returns by popular demand as Cameron Center’s gracious emcee.
Cameron Center’s nonprofit organizations will offer arts and crafts for sale, a silent auction, rummage sale, plants and a car wash. Keiki ages 3 to 8 can enjoy a bouncing castle, free of charge, when accompanied by an adult. One of the highlights of the bazaar is the dunking booth, which features some of Maui’s fun-loving politicians.
The fundraiser is known for its ono local food, such as Audrey’s Portuguese bean soup, hot malassadas, Saigon Café’s plate lunches, chili and rice from Maui Economic Opportunity, shave ice, baked goods and more. Maui’s own Roselani Premium Ice Cream will be available for a dollar a scoop; proceeds will benefit participating agencies.
“The bazaar gives our community a chance to learn about the various nonprofit agencies located under Cameron Center’s roof, and to meet the people who provide these essential services,” said Audrey Rocha Reed, president and CEO of Cameron Center. “The bazaar also allows the agencies an opportunity to get together and have fun outside of their busy work schedules. This is a good time for them to bond.”
Participating agencies are The Arc of Maui, Easter Seals-Hale Hauoli, Ka Lima O Maui, Imua Family Services, MEO Youth Bank, Mediation Services of Maui, Consumer Credit Counseling, Kahi Kamali‘i Infant and Toddler Center, J. Walter Cameron Center.
Reed added that the camaraderie of the people who work for Cameron Center has also become a focal point of this event. “We all need to find the time to know our good neighbors and to have fun doing so.”
Contributing their talents, so that the community and agencies can be treated to great entertainment free of charge, are the crowd pleasers who return to show their support year after year. Cameron Center has watched in awe the children of Zenshin Daiko, guided by Anthony and Valerie Jones, grow up each year, continuing to perfect their energizing presentation. The same respect and appreciation is bestowed to Madelyne Pascua and her young performers of Dance International Production. Pascua has expanded their repertoire—which embraces the rich variety of dance styles of the Philippines—to include hula and Tahitian. All of these talented children have become part of Cameron Center’s bazaar tradition.
Maui’s favorite Brown ‘Ohana returns to perform again, as well as Tony Krieg and Jud Cunningham, alias T&J Classics. Krieg and Cunningham exemplify how to enjoy life outside of their business. They happen to be among Maui’s hardest working CEOs, who also run top-notch, nonprofit agencies. Ola Hou ‘O Na Wahine (the women of new life) come back to offer inspiring, “chicken skin” dance interpretations. Cameron Center welcomes the lovely Jill Pascua, Miss Maui, who will dance two hula selections, and sultry—voiced newcomer Mitch Kepa. Kepa will be introducing his own CD in the near future.
One of the highlights of the bazaar is the Dunking Booth, which gets quite exciting when our local politicians participate. Make a donation to a Cameron Center agency of your choice, and you will have a chance to dunk your favorite community servant. This year’s “dunkees” include Mayor Alan Arakawa, County Councilmembers Joe Pontanilla and, Danny Mateo, and state Sen. Shan Tsutsui. Names of additional participants will be announced on radio station KPOA 93.5 FM.
“Cameron Center appreciates the effort from all participating politicians, entertainers, volunteers and donors,” said Reed. “We especially thank all of you who come out every year to support us. And if you haven’t met us yet, please join us in celebrating our eighth annual bazaar. Bring the entire ‘ohana.”
For more information, call Cameron Center at 244-5546.