"Capitol Idol II: The Return of Capitol Idol," a state government talent show held Monday, raised more than $1,700 for the Hawaii Foodbank.
Members of the executive branch and Legislature participated in the fundraiser organized by Sen. Mike Gabbard. Comedian Champ Kaneshiro volunteered as emcee.
"We all had a lot of fun for a good cause as we approach a hectic time during the legislative session," said Gabbard. "We surpassed what we brought in last year, and it’s all thanks to our guests and the performers."
Performers included:
Team Executive Branch: Linda Rosen, director of the Department of Health; Keali‘i Lopez, director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Maria Zielinksi, deputy director of the Department of Accounting and General Services; Audrey Hidano, deputy director of the Department of Transportation; Keone Kali, chief information officer; Joshua Wisch, deputy director of the Department of Taxation; Jesse Souki, deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and Blake Oshiro, deputy chief of staff.
Team House: Reps. Lauren Cheape Matsumoto and Ken Ito.
Team Senate: Sen. Russell Ruderman, backed by Sens. Rosalyn Baker, Will Espero, Mike Gabbard, Michelle Kidani and Suzanne Chun-Oakland; Sen. Mike Gabbard; Sen. Malama Solomon with backup singers Sen. Brickwood Galuteria and Senate staff; and Da Kolohe Bruddahs, consisting of Sens. Gabbard, Galuteria and Ruderman.
In other recent grants, awards and donations:
» Hawaiian Electric donated $10,000 to the nonprofit Historic Hawai‘i Foundation to support the preservation of historic buildings, objects, communities and sites related to the history of Hawaii.
Nearly 700 sites and buildings are listed on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places, and the state also has more than 300 historic properties designated on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a news release on the donation. To provide the public access to this information, the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation has digitized and made the listings available on the organization’s website.
» Lemonade Alley raised more than $15,000 for local charities at its annual lemonade stand competition, which took place April 12 at Pearlridge Center.
Lemonade Alley is an entrepreneurship/financial literacy/charitable giving contest for students in Hawaii. The event, which featured more than 20 teams of keiki entrepreneurs, is a program of the BizGym Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
"We are absolutely blown away and inspired by the incredible talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit our teams, volunteers and sponsors brought to the stage this year at Lemonade Alley," said Steve Sue, of Lemonade Alley. "The amazing accomplishments of Lemonade Alley 2014 truly embody our slogan — Profit to Share — which seeks to encourage sustainable entrepreneurship among kids big and small through giving back to the community and making our world a better place."
» TD Food Group, operator of Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants throughout Hawaii, recently donated $15,000 to the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross.
"We are extremely grateful for TD Food Group’s immense generosity," said Coralie Matayoshi, CEO of the Hawaii Red Cross. "Their compassion will help support our mission of saving lives and giving hope to those in need. We cannot thank them enough for their donation and wonderful community support."
» UHA Health Insurance donated $100,000 to the Kapiolani Health Foundation in support of the Campaign for Hawaii’s Children.
The campaign has raised nearly $30 million, which will go toward the $180 million cost to complete the first phase of a multiyear master plan to rebuild Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. This first phase includes a renovation and expansion of the neonatal and pediatric critical care and educational areas at Kapiolani.
