Kohala Community Hospital Fundraiser at Hawaii Island Retreat Center

My sweet friend Elizabeth is on the Board of the Kohala Community Hospital Foundation, and she just dropped off our Silent Auction winnings from last Saturday night's annual fundraiser. If you choose to live in Hawi, Kapaau, Puakea Bay Ranch, or any of the other neighborhoods of North Kohala, you can quickly find yourself immersed in the community. The spirit of aloha is contagious! Everyone seems to volunteer for multiple causes and participate in numerous non-profit organization, school, church or community events.

Although for more serious needs Kohala residents travel to Waimea's nearly-new North Hawaii Community Hospital, we rely on our own small facility for emergency care, xrays and nursing beds. The new Hawaii Island Retreat Center was a gracious setting for this years Hospital Fundraiser and attendance was high.

As is typical at events in Hawaii, there was music and hula. David Gomes entertained for the first half, followed by Nino and Gino (you can hear them at Luke's Place restaurant regularly). In real life, Gino Amar is the assistant administrator at the hospital. Retreat Center co-owner Jeanne Sunderland danced with her kupuna hula halau.

The items we won at this year's fundraiser were mainly health and wellness oriented: a 3-month membership to the Kohala Fitness Station (for my husband to try it, as I am already a regular); a session with Chinese medical practitioner Janice Ellison (we got one last year too!); a book on Living in Balance donated by authors Joel and Michelle Levey who are part-time residents of Hawi, and a 5-liter mini-keg of Konig Pilsener for our mental health (ahem).

Events like this feel like a big family celebration in our little corner of Paradise!

A hui hou,

Beth