Live Aloha Campaign - Save the Date


May 14, 2009 | By alani apio

The commitment to "live aloha" is a pledge to take responsibility for the well being of others.  But, truly living aloha is about more than one-time acts of charity. It's about making an effort to understand one another, and walk in each other's shoes, no matter how different our stories might seem.

On Saturday, June 20, in partnership with The Institute for Human Services (IHS), Kanu Hawaii is organizing a day of living aloha that will call on those of us experiencing tough times, along with those in luckier circumstances, to volunteer side-by-side in ways that support and brighten our communities.

A flagship project on Oahu will bring together residents of Kuhio Park Terrace (KPT) public housing with volunteers from Kanu and IHS to work on improving the area around KPT.  Similar projects across the islands will challenge all of us to step across boundaries, and to redefine compassion as acting on our shared kuleana.

The inspiration for this campaign is Father Claude Du Teil, who founded IHS more than 30 years ago. Father Du Teil struggled with alcoholism and mental illness for part of his life.  When he recovered, he began serving peanut butter sandwiches to the homeless in Chinatown, who were struggling just as he had. His "peanut butter ministry" blossomed into IHS.

Father Du Teil's story reminds us: Anyone can fall on hard times. Everyone can rise to serve. That is the theme of June 20, and of this campaign. Whether you're living through a moment of hardship, a moment of abundance, or are somewhere in between, we can all help strengthen the aloha and compassion that bind our island communities together.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 20. More details soon, as new project sites are organized.

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