It’s crunch time for Feast in the Field

On Sunday, October 8, 2017, Family Programs Hawaii will be celebrating more than 30 years of legacy for foster children and families in Hawaii by hosting the first ever “Feast in the Field for Children in Foster Care” event at Kualoa Ranch.

​Ticket sales are moving along, and we (Family Programs Hawaii and its Board of Directors) are nearly 2/3 of the way to our goal of selling 150 seats - a huge accomplishment for this first time event supporting children in foster care. That means we have at least 50 seats left! And some of them have your names on them!

Feast in the Field will be a dinner located on one of the highest plateaus on the Kualoa Ranch lands with spectacular views of the ocean and mountains. Chef James Aptakin, Executive Chef at Turtle Bay Resort, and a former foster child himself, is providing a spectacular menu that highlights the very best farm to table experience from Hawaii’s wonderful local farms and ranches. We will be offering carefully selected wines to match the menu, and both live entertainment by Kimie Miner and signature cocktails will get the evening started. The event will also support a “zero landfill” green policy and use all natural leaf and biodegradable bamboo serving dishes for each table, and centerpieces of organically grown herbs.

Family Programs Hawaii provides services to prevent children from entering foster care, support children and families involved in the foster care system and transition emancipating youth out of foster care.

The direct cos­t of critical services for these children and the families who care for them has increased in recent years, while resources have not. In order to fill that gap, we have developed what we hope you will find to be a unique and exciting event.

I love these children, I love this organization, and I hope that I will see some of you there.​

The Feast is listed on Eventbrite at ​https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feast-in-the-field-tickets-36283141854?ref=eios&aff=eios

Mahalo nui loa. 

Join us at Kualoa Ranch

As I have said before, I serve on the Board of a nonprofit that has a truly unique event coming up on October 8th, and it would be great to see you there.  It is called Feast in the Field for Foster Kids, and it is a multi-course gourmet, farm-to-table dinner out at Kualoa Ranch overlooking spectacular views of the ocean and the Ko’olau mountains.

The meal is being prepared by celebrity chef James Aptakin, who was himself, a foster child.  All of the dinner’s ingredients are from local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, and the meal, alone, will be spectacular!  But in addition, Hawaii star Kimie Miner will be  performing - a rare chance to enjoy this amazing young talent - and we have a number of other surprises that will make this truly an evening to remember.  The tickets are reasonably priced, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Family Programs Hawaii, and help care for more than 4,000 foster children and their families across the state.

The date is a Sunday, but it is just before a Monday federal holiday (Discoverer’s Day), and the evening will begin and end early (5:00 - 8:30 PM).  Tickets are going fast, but there still are some left.  You can get them on Eventbrite at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feast-in-the-field-tickets-36283141854?aff=eac2

Hope to see you there! 

Update on Feast in the Field for Foster Kids

Chef James will be on KHON on Monday at about 8:20 AM to promote Feast in the Field, Family Programs Hawaii, and demonstrate a Spanish Pono Pork stew.  That's FOX, channel 2! We are incredibly excited that Chef James has such a strong belief in the Family Programs Hawaii mission, and in supporting Hawaii's at risk families. 

As a reminder, Feast in the Field for Foster Kids, and it is a multi-course gourmet, farm-to-table dinner out at Kualoa Ranch overlooking spectacular views of the ocean and the Ko’olau mountains.

The meal is being prepared by celebrity chef James Aptikan, who was himself, a foster child.  All of the dinner’s ingredients are from local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, and the meal, alone, will be spectacular!  But in addition, pop star Kimie Miner will be performing - a rare chance to enjoy this amazing young talent - and we have a number of other surprises that will make this truly an evening to remember.  The tickets are reasonably priced, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Family Programs Hawaii, and help care for more than 4,400 foster children and their families across the state.

The date is a Sunday, but it is just before a Monday federal holiday (Discoverer’s Day), and the evening will begin and end early (5:30 - 8:30 PM).  We hope to see you there. 

For individual tickets, please go to http://bit.ly/2vlrozr.

If you are able to lend a sponsorship the event (comes with seats!), please go to http://bit.ly/2wKoMsL.

And watch Chef James on Monday, September 25th at 8:20 on KHON!   

Mahalo nui loa..

Myanmar Memories

The current tragedy of Rohingya refugees in Myanmar (Burma) brought back memories of a wonderful dive trip in 2003, with a land visit to Kawthoung (Victoria Point during British rule). I have posted photos in the travel section of our website. I have also donated to relief efforts for the refugees to Unicef:

and the International Rescue Committee:

Feast in the Field for Foster Kids

Many of you know that about five years ago, I became a volunteer guardian ad litem in the Court Appointed Special Advocates program.  Here, I finally found my "niche" as a future social worker and attorney.  I have dedicated much time, love and energy towards this program, and subsequently to Family Programs Hawaii.  Our current tag line is "We help kids," but that mission is expanding.  We help families, even before social services need to intervene. 

Three years ago, I was invited to join the Board of Directors of this wonderful agency (see more about it at http://www.familyprogramshawaii.org), while in the midst of law school. 

Yep, law school.  The very first time I stepped into a courtroom as a CASA, I knew I needed to be a better advocate.  So I took the LSAT, applied to law school, and was accepted.  Roughly 3 years later I passed the bar exam, and another six months later, I was sworn in as an attorney.   

I was on sabbatical from the Board of Directors while studying for the bar exam.  After I passed, a new opportunity opened up - Chair of the Board of Directors. 

I love this organization, and the things that it does.  With some mild trepidation (I had time on my hands, but not the fund raising skills), I took on the challenge of Board Chair. 

It's been a year of change, our mission is refocusing on strengthening families, we are in a partnership with Argosy University to do the same, as well as to do assessments for Family Court. 

But underneath it all, we still help kids.  And that is what Feast in the Fields is about.  Chef Aptakin will be cooking a field to table meal, and Hawaii's own Kimie will be our musical guest.  Our chief purpose is to raise unrestricted funds to support foster kids and families in Hawaii. 

The price may seem steep, but the experience will be well worth it.  Feast in the Fields will be held at Kualoa Ranch, and the agency will be providing bus transportation from various locations on Oahu.  Or you can treat it as a weekend away, and stay at the Courtyard Marriott in Laie.  That's what Wayne and I are doing. 

Individual tickets are going for $175, and there are sponsorship packages available.  The cause is worthy, Chef Aptakin, formerly in foster care himself, is donating his time.  The food and the entertainment (Kimie Miner (!) singing, and a cattle herding demonstration!) will be first rate. 

Please join us, we would love to have you there.  And the foster keiki and families on Oahu will thank you.  As will I. 

For individual tickets, please go to http://bit.ly/2vlrozr.

If you are able to lend a sponsorship the event (comes with seats!), please go to http://bit.ly/2wKoMsL.

We all thank you in advance.