Pictured above: (standing, from left to right) Cameron Nekota (president of the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation), Cheryl Nekota, Dave Cassidy, Anne Namba (Anne Namba Designs), Greg Sitar (Hale Kipa board member), Susan Sitar, (sitting, from left to right) Bob Harrison (CEO, First Hawaiian Bank), Henry Kapono (Singer/songwriter), Lezlee Ka‘aihue, Lori Harrison
On Feb. 22, 2020, nearly 140 attendees gathered at the Ho‘okupu Center in Kewalo Basin Park to enjoy a special evening of entertainment, cuisine and a silent auction at Hale Kipa’s pa‘ina fundraising event.
Dinner included Hawaii-inspired dishes created by Chef Eddie Mafnas and students in the Kupu Culinary and Life 360 Programs. Kupu, which offers programs at the Ho‘okupu Center, is a Hawaii organization that empowers youth to serve their communities.
The evening’s entertainment included music by Keawe Lopes and the Ha’e Ha’e Sisters. Speakers included Darryl Soon, principal at Envision International, which developed Hale Kipa’s new logo and website, Hale Kipa Board Chair Scott Seu, and Board Director Lanson Kupau.
The event was generously sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank and Hawaiian Electric.
Hale Kipa is celebrating its 50th year, and recently opened its Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Hale Kipa Youth Services Center in West Oahu. Located on 4.28 acres along Old Fort Weaver Road in Ewa, the center will serve as the agency’s headquarters and consolidate many programs and operations to improve services, reduce costs and build a sense of place in West Oahu.
See more photos from the event here.