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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Cassandra Kamealoha surrounded by her children Friday in Waianae. The children, clockwise from top left, Bishop Marquez, 14, Baeyin Shelton-Cummings, 10, Brooklynn-Rose Kamealoha, 5, Bostyn Kamealoha, 3, and Brennox Kamealoha, 7.
For nine months, Cassandra Kamealoha lived at the Onemalu transitional housing facility at Barbers Point with her five children after she separated from her husband in 2019.
Under a rent-to-work subsidy program, they moved into a three-bedroom townhouse in Waianae prior to the holiday season in 2019.
Going through a divorce and the COVID-19 pandemic this year has put a strain on her finances. Kamealoha, 32, who currently works on commission as a nail technician apprentice at Deluxe Nails & Spa in Waianae, said there has been a significant decrease in clients. “People are not getting nail services because they can’t afford it.”
Helping Hands Hawaii has partnered with the Honolulu Star- Advertiser and First Hawaiian Bank for the annual Good Neighbor Fund campaign to help families in need like Kamealoha’s during the holiday season. The campaign assists the agency’s various programs that include the non-profit’s Adopt A Family Program.
Born and raised on Maui, Kamealoha previously worked full-time as a certified nursing assistant but took a break after the death of a client took an emotional toll on her. When she returned, she was unable to secure full-time hours.
Her love of makeup and nails prompted her to take an online course and she was eventually hired as a nail technician apprentice at Deluxe Nails. “I was able to express my creativity,” Kamealoha said, adding she is working toward her certification.
She works six days a week at the salon and alternates child care with her husband every other week. “We’ve maintained our friendship and always put the children first,” she said.
During her time with their children, Kamealoha juggles their varying school schedules. She takes her 7-year-old son, Brennox Kamealoha, to work with her with his iPad in tow because he is distance learning. Kamealoha drops off her 14-year-old son, Bishop Marquez, at school twice a week and 10-year-old son, Baeyin Shelton-Cummings, five days a week for in-person classes. Her two younger children, 5-year-old Brooklynn-Rose Kamealoha and 3-year-old Bostyn Kamealoha are dropped off at day care at Kamaaina Kids.
It’s a madhouse, she said.
Her in-laws chip in with picking up her two younger children and her grandmother also helps cook dinner and with grocery shopping.
Owner Nam Phan of Deluxe Nails said the salon, like hundreds of businesses across the state, has taken a substantial hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re not busy anymore.”
He praised Kamealoha for juggling work and family responsibilities as a single mother. “She work hard,” he said.
The busy mother of five said there are times where she is barely covering the monthly bills. The children’s father, who is unemployed, is also facing financial struggles.
“I just want my kids to be happy, especially since we’re going through a divorce,” she added as her voice wavered with emotion. “Unfortunately, financially I can’t get all of their needs met.”
For the holiday season, their holiday wish list includes new bed sheets, clothes and shoes for the family and kitchenware. Bikes and helmets are also on the family’s wish list.
Brooklynn-Rose also likes L.O.L Surprise and Barbie dolls and books, and Bostyn likes Paw Patrol and sand toys. On Baeyin and Brennox’s wish list are Fortnite and Avengers toys, Hot Wheels and Pokemon cards, and Bishop asked for a pair of headphones.
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How to help
>> To make a monetary donation, individuals may drop off cash or checks at any First Hawaiian Bank branch statewide. Checks may be made payable to the “Good Neighbor Fund.” The deadline to drop off monetary donations is Dec. 31. To donate specifically to the Kamealoha family, include the code: RTW-002.
>> Donors also may mail checks to Helping Hands Hawaii, 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, HI 96819, or go online to 808ne.ws/goodneighbor. Click on the “donate” box and then “Good Neighbor Fund” in the drop-down options.
>> Donations of clothing, household goods and other items may be dropped off by appointment at Helping Hands Hawaii at the address above, by SaturdayDec. 12.
For more information call Helping Hands Hawaii at 440-3800 or email AAF@helping handshawaii.org.
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The Good Neighbor Fund helps support Adopt A Family, which provides assistance to those who are facing some kind of struggle, whether it be with finances, health, employment or otherwise: Here is a list of donors and the amount they contributed:
WEEK ENDING NOV. 28
Rick Fried $2,500
Alfred B. Valles $1,000
Scott Ito $1,000
Dennis W. Kaibara $500
In loving memory of $500 our mom, Elaine Ebesu, who passed away at age 97, in September.
Jeananne Kim $500
Karen N. Taoka Trust $500
Mary Pateman $500
Sam Shenkus $500
Bill + Diane Hahn $300
In loving memory $300 of Ric and Frances
Michael T. Miyabara $300
Sueko T. Valles $300
Carey Goodman $250
In memory of $250 Grace & Frank Ahern
ARDIS $227
Dennis Ideta $200
Harold H. Karimoto $200
Kaneohe Bay $200 Chapter No. 3, OES
With aloha from Ryker $200 and Ryder Eakin
In memory of Marc Kawa $150
Jessica Nacapuy $150
Melanie Ochmann $150
Arlene Hue $100
Caryn E. Rosen $100
David S.C. Chu $100
Dennis Whiteherse $100
Georgia J. Tsukazaki $100
In memory of Dr. Roy Sam $100
John C. Kiner II $100
Lawrence Scott Stanford $100
Patricia Onogi $100
S.K.L. Browne $100
Susanne Takamiya $100
Peggy Takushi $53.42
Celeste Rubanick $50
Cynthia H. Azama $50
George Young $50
In memory of Akira $50 Amakawa from Darryl & Paula Yonezawa
In memory of Carl $50
Yonezawa from Darryl
and Paula Yonezawa
In memory of Dean “Dino” $50
Rodrigues from Darryl
and Paula Yonezawa
In memory of Dorothy $50
Amakawa from Darryl
and Paula Yonezawa
In memory of Hilda $50
Yonezawa from Darryl
and Paula Yonezawa
In memory of Nathan $50
Rodrigues from Darryl
and Paula Yonezawa
In memory of Violet Kim $50
from Darryl and Paula
Yonezawa
In memory of Wallace Kim $50
from Darryl and Paula
Yonezawa
Noriko Shimbo $50
Patti L. Tildsley $50
Ralph Ferguson III $50
Raynette Andrade $50
Toni B. Fujinaga $50
Cynthia Foulston $30
In memory of Dr. Fugate, $25
Maryann, Christopher,
Colin — Carty
Ira Tagawa $25
Jo-Anne A. Yamada $25
Sloane Sato $25
Alberto Gonzaga $20
Janet Tarumoto $20
Sachi Kaulukukui $20
Susan Arakaki $20
David Dale $5
Julita Eshleman $5
Margie Akana $5
Nathan Lemn $5
John Linder $1
Anonymous $2,713.30
Weekly total: $15,574.72
WEEK ENDING DEC. 5
Edwin S.N. Wong $2,000
Foundation
Devon A. Guard $1,000
In memory of Takeji $1,000
and Shizue Iha, Matthew
and Helen Chung
and Annie Lee
Jacqueline Fujii $1,000
and Jarilyn Ashimine
Jodie Toyota $1,000
Kathleen Reeber $1,000
Ralph and Pakinee $1,000
Portmore
Amber Rose Hind $500
Cynthia Burdge $500
Delna Shinohara $500
In memory of Marcia K. Ho $500
John M. Robotham $500
John Noland $500
S.A. Barrett $500
Thomas L. Kling $500
Wendy Iha $500
William S. Hunt $500
Lance Nakamura $400
In memory of Tony Andrade, $300
Kellie Andrade, and Greg Yokomizo
June Takeno $300
M. Tahara $300
Margaret Bukatz Palmatier $300
Melissa Ching $300
Philip Jon Scellato $300
Richard, David, Mimi, Noah, $300 Claire and Piper
S. Wang $300
Aileen A. Yim $250
Anne W. Floyd $250
C.I. Williamson Mulford $250
Caroline F. Zabala $250
Amy Y. Kishaba $200
Eileen Soneda $200
Giers Family Trust $200
Gordon Kelly $200
In loving memory $200 of William F. Ehrman
In memory of Harriet C. Kam $200
In memory of Laurel Au $200 Muneoka and Lorene Au
Karen Y. Honma $200
Kurt M. Kunimune $200
Lucy S. Richmond $200
Marcia S. Toyama $200
Margaret E. Brevoort $200
Mel, Dar, Quin, Chad, Ali, $200 Derek
Melanie Y. Yonemura $200
Myrtle F. Kaneshiro $200
Olivia S. Yee $200
Patricia K. Tochiki $200
R&W Enterprises, LLC $200
Remy Aguinaldo $200
Sheryl P. Gardner $200
Vicky E. Stewart $200
Wayne & Lianne Takara $200
William D. Gaeth $200
Yuan Chen Chang $200
Danilo Aquino $185
Glenn S. Hamada $175
Felix D. Tengan $155
Alamida, Moniz, Trotter, $150 Reis and Young
Giorgio Caldarone $150
Glenn, Tina, Sierra $150
and Brandon Tarumoto
Joan P. Kent $150
Lynn Tokumine and Susan $150
Fujiki
Pamela T. Yonamine $150
In memory of James K. $101
and Jessie Y. Tokunaga
Ann A. Akiyama $100
Anne W. McKay $100
Arlene L. Koegler $100
Audrey K. Lum $100
B.E. Kaneshiro $100
BBR $100
C.H. Kaneshiro $100
Cora Barsatan $100
Dana Barbata $100
Danford S. Afong $100
Dennis K. Matsuura $100
Dirk Price $100
Eileen Chun $100
Eileen L. Baldwin $100
Elizabeth Berman $100
Eric A. Arveson $100
Frances A. Moura $100
Gail T. Ishihara $100
George Hirose $100
Glenn Awaya $100
Guy Edward Cabral $100
In loving memory of Charley $100
and Masako
In memory of Adam $100
and Virginia Moniz
In memory of Margaret $100 Hadley
In memory of Paul Schrader $100
Jacqueline Morishige $100
Jeffrey Lee $100
Jenna Dell $100
Jocelyn Nishihara $100
Judith H. Moore $100
Judith R. Kobayashi $100
Julie L. Young $100
K.M. Akagi $100
Karen Kwock $100
Katy, Samantha, & Bear $100
Kim Alan Butler $100
Linda Kumasaki $100
Lorrin S. Takamoto $100
Lt. Col. Kenneth W. Zitz, $100
USMC (Ret)
Lucille W.F. Lew $100
Lynne T. Kishimoto $100
M. Muraoka $100
Marc A. Kowalski $100
Marshall Brown & Family $100
Mary T. Schornstheimer $100
Michelle Baie $100
Nadine E. Takahashi $100
Naomi J. Shimabukuro $100
Patrick T. Sonoda $100
Rex K.K. Cheung $100
Richard T. Isa $100
Roseline U. Carpio $100
Roxanne Whalen $100
S. Satogata $100
Stephen T. Hazam $100
Suzanne I. Fujiura $100
The Office Manager $100
Trudi F. Gold $100
Valerie Joyce Hong $100
Van B. Nakagawara $100
Vivian M.S. Lee $100
Wilfred Y. Kimura $100
William H. Loudermilk $100
Lance Watari and Lilis $75
Malamah
Barbara A. Beckmeier $50
Blessings to all who are $50
helping.
Bobbi Lum-Mew $50
C. Oda $50
Cummins K. Mahoe III $50
Daniel K. Shishido $50
Dawn Marugame $50
Dudley Makahanaloa $50
Dyron Takafuji $50
Edward Quon $50
Felicidad B. Ravago $50
Hannah K. Nakamura $50
In memory of Arvid T. Hara $50
In memory of Mr. & Mrs. W.T. $50
Smith
Iris Matsunobu $50
James M. Nogawa $50
Jarri Kagawa $50
Jean M. Bart $50
Joanne A. Monheim $50
John Nakahara $50
Kenton, Karynna, and Kallen $50
Many blessings at Christmas $50
and in the New Year.
Marilynne J. Grilho $50
Molly M. Egged $50
Muriel M. Takishita $50
Paul I. Kawamura $50
Pauline T. Chiogioji $50
Rebecca Dayhuff $50 Matsushima
Sapavith Vanapruks $50
Sharon O’Hara-Katres $50
Vernette N.Y. Fukuda $50
Walter H. Ikeda $50
Yun Hao He $50
Valerie Smalley $40
Vernon Tokita $35
Sandra T. Samori $30
Anna Khamsing $25
In memory of Adam $25 and Virginia Moniz
In memory of Willie Dean Ige $25
James Botsas $25
Joyce M. Trask $25
Linda Miyasato $25
Marsha M. Lee-Kiyabu $25
Minnie E. Boggs, Ph. D. $25
Roberto Zamarron $25
David Hirao $20
Mari Otis $20
Neal T. Sylva $20
Patricia Tanaka $20
Victoria Juvrud $20
William Quinlan $20
Leslie Ross $10
Linda Young $10
Violet K.H. Chong $10
Barbara Espaniola $9.01
Christy M. Fukuda $5
Edith K. Higa $5
Mark Sabey $5
Seigi Higa $5
Doris Kawano $1
Anonymous $5,620.72
Weekly total: $37,271.73
Grand total: $52,846.45
