ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Oahu father puts his family before pride
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Help our neighbors in need |
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
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The father of two is embarrassed when he has to go to a Makiki park to pick up food donations for his family.
He knows that the agency distributing the food there allows families to receive donations only once every three months.
But sometimes his family runs out of food, leaving him to swallow his pride and show up again to ask for help.
"I really feel ashamed," he said softly. "I feel guilty, but I keep going over there."
The 38-year-old husband and father, who asked not to be identified, said it's hard to pay for rent, bills and food on his salary as a part-time forklift driver for an airline. He's trying to find a second part-time job and is hoping to secure a full-time job at the airline.
He said if he doesn't find a way to increase his income soon, he may move to Alaska to work.
But in the meantime, the family of four just tries to survive on a limited budget.
His children, 14 and 16, know not to ask for much. When they do ask, it's for things like school supplies, underwear and shoes.
The family moved to Hawai'i from Chuuk several years ago seeking better medical treatment for his wife, who is diabetic. She has since had two toes amputated as of a result of her condition and had cataract surgery, although her sight still isn't clear.
The family, which has been living in public housing in Wai'anae for a couple of years, is trying to find housing in Hono-lulu, where they used to live.
The children wake before dawn to go to school in Honolulu, where they have friends. His 14-year-old daughter tried attending school closer to home but was constantly taunted and picked on by students there, he said.
The family's wish list includes a queen-size bed and clothes. Mother and father would also appreciate a gas gift card so they can have some extra money to do something special for their children this Christmas.
The 14-year-old girl wears a size 27x24 pants and XL shirt/dress; the 16-year-old boy wears a 38x30 pants and an XL shirt. The father wears a 42x32 pants and a 2XL shirt, and his wife wears a size 16 pants and 18 shirt/dress.
RECENT DONATIONS TO THE ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Alfred Chamizo — $1,000
Hilo Seaside Hotel — $1,000
Kona Seaside Hotel — $1,000
Maui Seaside Hotel — $1,000
Roger & Brenda Yamane, in memory of Hajime Yamane — $250
Honolulu Advertiser Newsroom CD/book/food sale — $227
Philibert & Ernestine Akau, Philibert Kauffman — $200
Ruth Ann Nishikawa & Carol Sartain — $200
Barbara & Richard Bonnardel, in memory of our parents — the Bonnardels & Farrous — $100
Joyce Cassen, in memory of Daniel C. Levey — $100
Richard Fahrenwald — $100
Mabel Garduque, in loving memory of Capt. Gabriel Garduque, Remenioues, Marcos
& "Big Papa" — $100
Evelyn Kirihara — 100
Douglas & Karen Moore — $100
Milton & Maddie Oshiro — $100
Anne & Henry Rinnert — $100
Randolph & Spephanie Sakaye — $100
Julian Showkeir & Mickey Salwyn — $100
Judith Burns, lovingly remembering my son Ronnie — $100
Jeanette Young — $75
Belle Mann — $72
Ruth & James Burkholder — $50
Harry & Yu Mei King — $50
Ken S. Marume — $50
Anne Rauh — $50
Simonne D. Rivera — $50
Nyssa & Allegra Thompson — $50
Barney Gomes — $35
Gift to Yuriko Hamada — $30
Gift to Christian Hamada – Yuriko's grandson — $30
Gift to Joshua Cohen — Yuriko's grandson — $30
Gift to Nadine Cohen — Yuriko's daughter — $30
Gift to Verna Anama — Yuriko's daughter — $30
Stanley Hamada — Yuriko's son — $30
Gift to Greg T. Nakamura — $30
M.L. & Ray Higa — $30
Frank Mauz, in loving memory of Loretta Mau & Emma Mauz — $30
Barbara & Richard Bonnardel, in honor of Colt and the entire football team — $25
Harold & Sharon Fukioka — $25
Frank & Priscilla Gaison — $25
Marilynne Grilho — $25
M. & S. O. — $25
Aileen & Peter Potter — $25
WPA MOMS Club Kids — $25
Suzanne Cummings — $10
Gale & Arnold Warshawsky — $5
Anonymous — $200
Anonymous — $200
Anonymous, in memory of Frank K. Ebisuya, Dennis H. Oishi & Irene T. Odagiri — $150
Anonymous — $100
Anonymous — $100
Anonymous — $100
Anonymous — $100
Anonymous — $50
Anonymous — $25
Anonymous — $25
Anonymous — $25
Anonymous — $25
Total — $8,019
Previous total — $57,684.64
Total to date — $65,703.64
Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.
