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December 2021 marked 21 months of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our island home. During that time, Hawaii’s medical and media professionals have worked tirelessly to keep the hospitals open, to provide care for our loved ones, and to keep us all informed during a time where details are constantly in flux.

To thank these important, often unseen and unsung heroes, Carole Kai Charities, Inc. partnered with Tanioka’s Seafood and Catering, in Waipahu, to put together 1,200 Hauoli Bentos  (happy lunch boxes) during the holidays and delivered them to:

At the medical facilities, the Hauoli Bentos went not only to frontline providers, but also to housekeeping, food service, and other support personnel that keep the hospitals functioning during this challenging time.

“We wanted to honor and show our appreciation for everything that the medical and media professionals do to keep our community informed and safe,” said Carole Kai Onouye, who founded the Great Aloha Run and continues to spearhead and voluntarily organize the race through Carole Kai Charities, Inc.

“No one ever, ever thinks to recognize us!” exclaimed Dita Holifield, General Manager at Salem Media, who expressed how touched her staff felt when they received the bento delivery during their holiday party.

Carole Kai with Yong from Pacific Media Group

Carole Kai with Art Gladstone, Executive VP and Chief Strategy Officer at Hawaii Pacific Health – with mochi for good luck!

Special delivery at Pali Momi Medical Center

Curbside delivery at KBFD TV