Las Vegas community rallies for Hawaii storm victims

HENDERSON. Nev. – A fundraiser was held at Liberty High School on Saturday to support victims in Hawaii still struggling to get back on their feet after Kona Low storms in March battered parts of O’ahu.

Shai Walter, owner of 2 Scoops of Aloha and one of the fundraiser’s organizers, said several businesses across the valley donated food, drinks, plates, and more for the fundraiser.

“We know the situation that they’re in. We’re far away, but we want to make sure we help from the Ninth Island,” Walter said. “All these businesses came together to actually do a fundraiser for our people.”

2 Scoops of Aloha, Grindz 2 Da Max, Shaka on Point, Al Pono Café, Ono Manju, Fresh Off the Boat, Mongos Hood, Leilani’s Attic, Ninth Island, Le Umu, Da Hawaiian Snack Man, Hapahoales, Noms, Maui Goddess, Sweet Kings, and Str8 Twisted are some of the businesses, organizations, and friends of the fundraiser’s organizers that made some form of donation to the fundraiser.

Cathi Minami, founder of Ninth Island Aunties, helped organize Saturday’s fundraiser. She said she moved to Las Vegas in 2001, but like many Hawaiians, never lost touch with the community on the Islands.

“We’re just trying to show that you know they’re thought of. They’re not forgotten. Our hearts are still with them, and Hawaii will always be our home,” Minami said. “So we wanted to see what we can do.”

Minami said that although her family was not severely impacted by the March storms and flooding, the tight-knit inner circles she is a part of tie her to a lot of families who are struggling to get back on their feet from the storms.

“Over 70 families, two of which have lost their homes. So we’re just trying to show that they’re thought of. They’re not forgotten. Our hearts are still with them and Hawaii will always be our home,” Minami said.

Minami said funds raised from Saturday’s event will go towards Vibrant Hawaii, a non-profit that is currently working to help impacted families directly in Hawaii.

The 9th Island Cultural Club of Las Vegas is hosting a breakfast fundraiser for the victims on Sunday, April 26, at the North Rainbow Boulevard Applebee’s Location between 8 am and 10 am.

Another breakfast fundraiser is planned on May 2.