Kauai United Way Blog

Loren Kayfetz and Pat Pannell looked around Kauai a few years ago, and realized what a tremendous need there was for basic services to those in tough circumstances. Over the years, they had contributed to a number of music scholarship funds and non-profit concert groups here, only to find that just giving to a targeted group was not enough. Starting two years ago and continuing today, in addition to sponsoring a number of fund raising events for the Kauai United Way, they have pledged and paid 1/2 of all new client fees on Kauai to the KUW, which has totaled over $10,000 additional support in the last year alone. What Loren and Pat, with Personal Financial Consultants, want to do is make community involvement a win-win for everyone, and hope that they can set an example for other businesses and individuals on Kauai to follow. The basic services that KUW supports are not glamorous, but contribute to the very fabric of our community, and they want others to be inspired to step up and proactive.   Their latest event for Kauai United way was called simply Classics….The United Way…….

Kauai United Way and Personal Financial threw their 2nd annual fundraising event featuring world-class classical music, while also contributing to the vital work of Kauai United Way and the agencies they support.
Guests were first invited to mingle with cocktails and decadent appetizers, while being serenaded by the Kauai Flute Quartet.  Next they were ushered into a banquet room where Ron Wiley auctioned off one-of-a-kind trips to shows in New York City, the Symphony in San Francisco, the Philharmonic in Los Angeles, or a weekend getaway at the St. Regis. Loren Kayfetz, of Personal Financial, actually stood up during the bidding on the New York City trip and upgraded the flights to first class himself!  Additionally one of the off-island trips was duplicated and awarded in a raffle drawing.  Kauai United way was awarded $13,000.00 by Personal Financial at the end of the event.  Kauai United Way is so grateful for the support of companies like Personal Financial;  It is companies like these that make the world a better place for all of us.  A little about Personal Financial now…….

Personal Financial has been serving the needs of each client since 1985.  Their custom approach to investment management is based on the belief that all clients are not created equal. Each relationship is important to Personal Financial and they have worked for 25 years to build each individual financial portfolio, special, to address the goals of each person they serve, “because the goals of our client’s are personal to us.” The team at Personal Financial develops relationships with an understanding that there are often financial implications and considerations with even the most common of life events.

Thank you Personal Financial for your on-going support.  We look forward to this event for years to come.

Personal Financial Contact:

888-557-3272

Info@PersonalFinancial.com

This weekend Kauai United Way will be hosting a fundraiser produced and sponsored by our friends at Personal Financial.  We are proud to invite The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center all the way from New York City!!!!  This event will take place at The Grand Hyatt in Poipu from 3PM – 6PM.  The 75 dollar ticket includes magnificent performances, pupus, a no-host bar, and one donation drawing ticket.

You are invited to enjoy cocktails and appetizers while being pleasantly entertained by the music of the Kauai Flute Quartet…..then…..

The main event will be a performance by the world-class musicians of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, one of the resident companys of Lincoln Center in NYC.

There is an auction where the bidding will be for several incredible musical trips to the Theater in NY, the Symphony in SF, the Philharmonic in LA. and a North Shore respite at the St. Regis.  Furthermore, a raffle ticket is included in each ticket purchased for the event.  Kauai United Way, and Personal Financial will raffle off a duplicate prize of one of the mainland trips as a prize donation drawing.

Thanks to the generous underwriting of our main sponsor, Personal Financial, $50 of every ticket sold will go directly to support the vital work of the Kauai United Way.

If you weren’t sure what to do this weekend with your friends and family, please join us at The Grand Hyatt for food, wine, magnificent music, and good company.  You can purchase your tickets on-line on the Kauai United Way home page.  Hope to see you there.

When I would hear the term “substance abuser” I used to think of the people I had seen in the back alleys and side streets of the city.  They looked tattered, sickly, and acted strangely.  The physical characteristics of a substance abuser seemed obvious.  In reality, a substance abuser isn’t that easy to identify all of the time.  In many instances, the person you work with, your neighbor, the waiter at your favorite restaurant could be a substance abuser.  It takes a lot of effort and most substance abuser have to go to great lengths to hide their addictions.  We are proud to be in support of many different agencies which care for this issue which is becoming more and more common.

Regardless of how well substance abusers try to conceal their addictions, there are still signs that can be seen.  Eventually, as the addiction grows stronger these signs become more noticeable.  Here are some things to look for if you suspect substance abuse.

Disorganization:  Organization requires a fully functioning mind.  In many cases, drugs that can lead to addiction alter the user’s ability to think clearly and logically.  Once simple tasks, like adding numbers or grocery shopping, becomes difficult to perform.

Frequent Absences:  Some drugs, especially stimulants, can cause periods of wakefulness.  Unfortunately, every period is followed by extreme exhaustion.  Often, substance abusers will miss work frequently because they are too exhausted to perform their regular daily routines.

Relationships Become Strained:  As the addiction worsens, substance abusers have a difficult time maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships.  Their addiction causes them to feel as though nothing matters except getting more of the drug.  Work relationships become strained because of the inability of the abuser to function properly in the work environment.  Family relationships become strained because the abuser becomes indifferent to everyone around them.

Appearance and Personal Hygiene:  An altered mental state will eventually lead to an altered physical state.  Their mental state can change their self perception.  Often they become unaware or indifferent to how they look.  In many instance they forget to take a shower or change their clothes regularly.  Their need to satisfy their craving becomes more important than personal hygiene.

Slurred Speech:  Most abused drugs can cause the user to exhibit slurred speech and possible staggering when they walk.  Physical response is often slowed or sporadic. This is why police officers, who suspect a person is driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated, will ask the suspect to step out of the car and walk a straight line.

Below is a list of the most commonly misused and abused drugs as reported by the National Surveillance Agency Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).

Xanthines:  These drugs affect the central nervous system and are the most frequently abused drug.  Caffeine is a popular xanthine and can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and colas.

Nicotine:  This drug affects the central nervous system and can be found in tobacco products.  It is also one of the most frequently abused drugs.

Ethyl alcohol:  This drug affects the central nervous system and is used in distilled spirits and beverages.

Anticholinergics:  This drug affects the central nervous system.  Robinal is an anticholinergic drug, which is referred to as the “date rape” drug.

Steroids:  This drug affects the central nervous system and is a performance inhancing drug most often abused by athletes.

Amphetamines:  This drug affects the central nervous system and includes dextroamphetamines and methamphetamines.  “Speed” and “crystal meth” are commonly known amphetamines.

Pentazocine:  This drug affects the central nervous system and has a morphine like effect on the body.  It is also known as Talwin.

L-dopa:  This drug causes an alteration in emotions and perceptions.  It is often used to alleviate symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Cocaine:  Most emergency room visits are due to an abuse of this drug.   It can cause tachycardia (fast heart rate), increased blood pressure, chills, fever, agitation, nervousness, confusion, inability to remain still, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased sweating, rapid breathing, hemorrhage, heart failure, convulsions, delirium and death.

Heroin:  Another drug that leads to many emergency room visits.  It is a converted in the liver to morphine.

Morphine:  Side effects include sedation, increased sweating, flushed face, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting.

Acetaminophen:  Also known as Tylenol.  This drug is commonly overdosed and can cause kidney problems and death.

Aspirin:  Aspirin can cause stomach irritation and lead to ulcers and gastric bleeding.

Alprazolam:  Known as Xanax.  This is an antianxiety and antipanic drug.  Violent and aggressive behavior, seizure, delirium and other withdrawal reactions are common when abused.

Marijuana:  This is a central nervous system depressant.  Mental relaxation, euphoria and decreased inhibitions are common.

At Kauai United Way we support many rehabilitation services/partner agencies.  We are proud to help heal the community.

The Invitation

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living

I want to know what you ache for

and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool

for love

for your dreams

for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…..

I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow

if you have been opened by life’s betrayals

or have become shriveled and closed

from the fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain

mine or your own

without moving to hide it

or fade it

or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy

mine or your own

if you can dance with wildness

and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your

fingers and toes

without cautioning us to

be careful

be realistic

to remember the limitations of being human

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me

is true

I want to know if you can

disappoint another

to be true to yourself

If you can bear the accusation of betrayal

and not betray your own soul.

If you can be faithless

and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty

even when it is not pretty

every day.

And if you can source your own life

from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure

yours and mine

and still stand on the edge of the lake

and shout to the silver of the full moon,

“yes.”

It doesn’t interest me

to know where you live or how much money you have.

I want to know if you can get up

after a night of grief and despair

weary and bruised to the bone

and do what needs to be done

to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know

or how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand

in the center of fire

with me

and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom

you have studied.

I want to know what sustains you

from the inside

when all else falls away

I want to know if you can be alone

with yourself

and if you truly like the company you keep

in the empty moments.

By Oriah Mountain Dreamer

October 30th is Kauai United Way’s 4oth Anniversary Walk-A-Thon!  Come join us and cheer on your community.  If you are unfamilliar with the Kauai United Way Walk-A-Thon, I have compiled a few important point as a refresher.
The Kaua’i United Way Walk-A-Thon was started in 1970 by Dr. Arthur Loo as a way to raise money for  not only to raise money for Kauai United Way, but most importantly for smaller organizations that are not our partner non-profit agencies.  The Kaua’i United Way Walk-A-Thon was created with the islands smaller non-profits in mind.  How could we help them?
The original course was a 17 mile tromp through Lihue from Eleele and Moloaa.  Today it is an easy and safe 2-mile walk around Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Dynasty Court and Chifess Kamakahelei Middle School.

The Basics:

•   It Starts at 7am

•   Includes a continental breakfast – fruit, juice, biscuits, etc. – which are generously provided by Kapaa High School Interact Club.  Thanks for your generosity!
•    Administration is provided by Kauai United Way
•    50% of funds raised go to the Kauai non-profit group of each walker’s choice
•    50% of funds raised go to the vital work of Kauai United Way’s many Participating Agencies
•    The walk, itself, is symbolic – it is not required.  If coming in to Lihue on the morning of the Walk is problematic, simply raise money and turn it in!

We hope you will join us at our 40th anniversary Walk-A-Thon October 30th at 7AM.

The Kauai United Way Walk A Thon is approaching and it is the 40th year anniversary!  The Kaua’i United Way Walk-A-Thon has been helping organizations on the island raise money and it is a wonderful way to make money for your very own non-profit and also help out your entire community at the same time.

Below we have posted an example of a letter that one community leader has sent to encourage friends and family to donate to her chosen non-profit, The Kauai Dragons.

Hello To All of You,
I am writing to let all of you know of an opportunity that Ricky Boy has to help an amazing community organization on Kauai as well as raise funds that will go directly to his youth baseball group, The Kauai Dragons.  The Kauai United Way Walk A Thon will be held at the end of this month, Ricky along with his team mates are collecting pledges for this very worthy cause.  NO contribution is too small and we truly appreciate any donations.  All checks should be made out directly to the “Kauai United Way”.  Please let me know if you would like to contribute to the cause and I will find time to meet with you.

Sincerley,
Kalei Cardinez

We will be blogging for the next couple of days if you are interested in obtaining more information regarding the Kauai United Way Walk-A-Thon.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” –A. Einstein

After giving another closer look at Maslow’s theory for our hierarchy of needs, I believe it deserves a little more scrutiny.  I think it is an opportune day for me to come across this theory, because I am one of those people that believes in chance, fate and miracles.  Unfortunately, a miracle occurred today that possessed a lesson for growth.  It was one of those uncomfortable miracles.

Today, I got some very disappointing news about my future and my life changed in an instant.  It is difficult, but I am forced to examine this instance with an approach that if everything is a miracle, then this must be a miracle as well.  Perhaps the miracle was that I had experienced a feeling of safety until now; perhaps this lesson was sent to teach me gratitude for what I already have, when so many around me do not have; perhaps it is tutelage in expectation and the illusions of control our minds can paint.  What is it about human nature that accepts only the good and expects it to continue?  I will, (and have), gone to many lengths to avoid the inevitability of disappointment, failure and pain.  But I must acknowledge that I could not appreciate success or security without the opposites of failure and insecurity.  Doesn’t disappointment only illustrate further that we have at one time tasted joy and success?  There is one unavoidable Truth in life and that is change.  The only thing I know for sure now, is that the future will continue to change.  Seasons change.  People change, circumstances change.  Why resist or attempt to avoid these natural cycles?  With empowerment….rather then resignation…… I remind myself the only thing I can control is my view.  I must see this as a miracle, and I refuse to shut down to the possibility that loss creates opportunity, even as I suffer.

So many of us judge one another and compare ourselves to find where we fall on this pyramid of life.  Why judge?  How can we expect those around us who are unemployed, hungry, or homeless, to want more then just the basics?  How can we expect others to be perfect or to enjoy perfect circumstances when we each have our own set of struggles and accomplishments; no matter how big or small.  How can we judge our neighbor for not having a job even as his or her most basic needs are not being met?  Recognizing anothers’ needs is certainly not an obligation to help, but rather an opportunity to grant miracles….miracles of understanding.

Mother Teresa once said, “There is much suffering in the world, very much.  Material suffering is suffering from hunger, suffering from homelessness, from all kinds of disease.  But I still think the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, just having no one.  I have come to realize that being unwanted is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.”

My life has been a natural progression starting at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy. My parents were the first to provide me with shelter, food and clothing and then onward I climbed to my first job, my first true friendships, my first marriage….. how many have helped me along the way?
How many people have helped each of us to get where we are today?  I encourage us to look honestly at this pyramid and place ourselves realistically.
After writing this, I can’t help but marvel at how lucky I am to have such inconsequential problems.  My disappointment seems like a huge burden, but really even sitting here contemplating these “issues” is a luxury granted to me by all those before who have supported my natural progression; which all adds up to now, this moment, this miracle I have mislabeled as suffering.

No one person in this world is more important then another.  We are all on the right path.  Lets help each other along the way.

Today, Monday October 4th, is the celebration of Merriman’s Grand Re-Opening.  The day has finally arrived and tonight beginning at 5:30 PM Kauai United Way supporters, and Merriaman fans will gather to enjoy a beautiful menu created by master chef, Peter Merriman, fine wine and like minded company.  Please come and join us.  The cost is 75 dollars and it includes Hanalei citrus cured ono sashimi for the first course, baked soft kunana dairy goat cheese, and then your choice  of sesame crusted fresh island fish or loin of Maui cattle beef baked in Alea salt crust.  For (my favorite course), you will enjoy kabocha pumpkin and mascarpone cheese tart.  Wine pairings will accompany the courses.  It is family style seating in Merriman’s elegant setting to create comfort and luxury simultaneously.

For Reservations or Information call Merriman’s at- 808-742-8385

Remember, Merriman’s serves 90%locally-grown food which helps support our island farmers and a sustainable community. And once again, all net proceeds go to the vital work of Kauai United Way and our 27 Participating Agencies.

Tell everyone it is all happening tonight!

Flyer

Chef and Owner, Peter Merriman, has brought his unique style of Regional Hawaiian Cuisine to the island of Kauai.  His creations are served in a beautiful dining room found to be a subtle mix of both casual and elegant.  Peter Merriman has been a pioneer in the concept of  “Farm to Table.”  In fact, this is how Peter is able to serve the freshest products, at least 90% of which are locally grown or caught, and still use sustainable methods.
Merriman’s Poipu restaurant is celebrating their one year anniversary of serving locally grown, handcrafted food on Kauai by generously donating 100% of the net proceeds from a very special dinner hosted on Monday October 4th, at 5:30PM.  The Merriman’s chefs have come up with a very special four-course meal made with 90% locally grown ingredients and paired with special wines for each course.

The cost for this exceptional dining experience is $75 and seating is limited to 100.  For reservations, call Merriman’s Kauai restaurant at 742-8385.

Proceeds from this special event will be added to the 2010 Kauai United Way Annual Campaign, which is underway now.  Kauai United Way supports dozens of social service programs that save lives and help tens of thousands of Kauais’ people every year.  Kauai United Way works every day to make life on our island better for all.  Money raised on Kauai stays on Kauai.  For more information, call 245-2043.
Located in Poipu, Merriman’s features both mauka (mountain) and makai (ocean) views as well as sunset views over the Kukui’ula resort.  Come join us Monday night Oct 4th at 5:30 PM.  Make your reservations today, and help our island of Kaua’i.

Let’s all live united – the Kauai United Way.