KAWAIHAE — Members of a nonprofit group were disheartened over the theft of swim gear donated to soldiers, training on the the Big Island, for their rest and relaxation.
The United Service Organization, also known as USO, supports military, active duty, retired, all veterans and morale. Part of that support on Hawaii Island has been providing swim gear for recreational activities for troops training at a military compound at the Kawaihae harbor for the past nine years.
Gaylene Hopson, volunteer with the organization, said snorkels, kayaks and paddleboards give the men and women a reprieve from the hours of work they do in the hot sun.
“Some of these young soldiers haven’t been around water like that,” Hopson said. “It just gives them a little bit of aloha.”
However, the shipping containers within the military compound that stored all the gear was raided last week.
Two kayaks were stolen as well as 10 to 20 sets of snorkel gear, all fishing poles and two tackle boxes and two paddleboards.
Other things missing were food, an ukulele and a guitar.
“We’re going on nine years and everybody knows this for the troops,” Hopson said. “For me, I can’t believe people would steal, but I really have faith the community will come together.”
The military compound is located next to Surf Park.
“It’s unique where there’s training but soldiers get to interact with the community,” Hopson said.
Eric Hamilton, public affairs officer for Pohakuloa Training Area, said the breaks during training gives troops a taste of home as they are able to relax, contact family and care for themselves.
Hamilton added the theft seems to be a direct contradiction to the aloha spirit.
“It’s so atypical of the Hawaii Island that this would happen,” he said. “It’s possible they didn’t know who they were robbing.”
Hamilton said USO is not funded by the Army and is apolitical.
“For this to happen is unconscionable,” he said.
Nalani Freitas, owner of Overstock N Discounts, has donated many things to USO over the years including patio sets, lounge chairs, food and guitars.
Freitas said she’s lost count of the snorkel and fin sets she’s given to the organization.
“We do it because we can’t do enough for them,” Freitas said. “We’d never be able to do enough for the freedom they ensure for us.”
The theft is hurtful, Freitas added.
“You can only hope that these people really needed this stuff,” she said of the thieves.
Freitas said her company will help USO replenish what was lost, but it will be a slow process.
Freitas said USO is a great program. She gets videos all the time of soldiers enjoying the water toys and gear her company has donated.
“So many of them come from the Midwest,” she said. “They’re like little kids and they splash around. It’s a little reprieve for them.”
Anyone interested in donating equipment can email Gaylene Hopson at ghop57@aol.com
Anyone interested in volunteering with USO can visit volunteers.uso.org or Hawaii.uso.org.