Aloha, we are writing you personally to ask for your help in publishing a news release about the following. We asked Arc if Kona to contact you on our behalf, but was told that you declined to do it. Please read this email and after you do, please decide. Thank you for your time.
A new kiosk store at Mango Court specializes in retailing the artwork of local disabled and non-disabled artists on the Big Island.
Leimana has Hawaiian language puzzles, local wood items, shells, paintings, jewelry and other gifts. The store was a dream of disabled son Joshua Pratt, and helps many local struggling artists to grow and shine.
Joshua Pratt was an Easter Seal baby, born one pound eight ounces, 12 inches long, in 1980 in San Francisco during the AIDS scare, and the beginning of intensive care units for premies. There was much that the doctors were learning at that time, that is a part of the norm now.
Joshua went on to have numerous surgeries, and many experimental drugs, but survived to reach the age of 36 now. He resides in Kona.
Since moving to Kona in 2008, he was the chairperson of the Self Advocacy Advisory Committee for West Hawaii for it’s first two years where he trained West Hawaii disabled persons on how to discover and fulfill your dreams. He also sat on the governing board of the ARC of Kona for a year, and just completed his term on the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Disabilities and the Elderly. He is currently completing his training for a program called “Feeling Safe, being safe”, where he will be training those with special needs in our community (our elderly, children, and disabled) on what to pack in preparation for a disaster.
Leimana will be having a grand opening celebration to thank Mango Court and the rest of the community for their continued support with hourly drawings from noon to 8 p.m. for free certificates from Mango Court restaurants, live music from noon to 3 p.m. in Rocco’s Pizza, and all our artists will be there to show their work, meet customers and do mini make and take workshops.