Retail Therapy

September 24, 2019

On August 11, Timbers Kauai hosted its first-ever partnership event with nonprofit Kukulu Kumuhana O Anahola (KKOA), which roughly translates to “the pooling of strengths for a shared purpose.”

In that spirit, the designer trunk show at Ocean Course Hokuala brought together the Garden Isle’s locals, as well as Timbers Kauai guests and Owners, to shop luxe and authentic items from mostly Hawaiian vendors, such as Kaya Swim, Indah, Lilikoi Luxe, Ocean Paper, EFM Gallery and more.

With 10 percent of proceeds benefiting KKOA, the event exemplified the resort’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the local community and raised funds for the organization.

“This event is to show to the local community what we’ve done here at Timbers Kauai, and for our guests and Owners, to bring them a good shopping day,” said Timbers Kauai sales associate Ka’ala Clarke, who spearheaded the effort and whose mother co-founded the nonprofit over 10 years ago.

KKOA was born of the desire to instill hope in Hawaiian youth after Kauai’s native neighborhood of Anahola was shaken by the deaths of three teenagers by suicide in 2008. The organization’s mission reads: “To assist our children in developing life skills that will strengthen their identity through Hawaiian values.”

“We want to give them some hope, give them some fun, let them know that we’re aware,” said Clarke. “And we want to be there for them.”

Compelled by a desire to help, Clarke’s mom Manulele Clarke got together with a close friend, co-founder and president Ku’uleialoha Panua, to make an impact: “They did it just out of pure love and compassion for our Hawaiian people and our community,” said Clarke.

Manulele Clarke recalled trips to the drive-in as a highlight of her youth and started the initiative with “Anahola ‘Ohana Movie Nights,” which continue to this day.

The nonprofit selects inspiring films, which air once per month May through August. The movie nights feature cultural activities, a hand-prepared meal and (of course) popcorn.

To learn more about KKOA or ways to contribute, please visit kkoa.org.

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