KAILUA-KONA — The Christmas spirit was in full swing Saturday afternoon at Umekes Fishmarket Bar and Grill where the restaurant and Keikis of Da Aina invited kids and their families to come together and celebrate the holiday.
“We’re just blessing the keikis,” said Nakoa Pabre, Umekes owner, “just blessing all the kids in need this year for the holiday season.”
Pabre said the event is a chance to celebrate the season and share aloha with the community’s children in need as well as give back to a community that has consistently supported him.
“If you’re being blessed, I really feel you should try and bless others,” said Pabre.
The event, held for the first time, offered local kids and their families lunch, pictures with Santa Claus and an opportunity to pick out a toy.
Each year, said Pabre, they normally hold a Luau for the Less Fortunate but instead this year hosted a luau for Maunakea protectors.
At that event, he said, a friend suggested doing an event for children in the community.
Altogether, he said, they had more than 250 gifts donated.
And both parents and children alike said they were enjoying the day’s celebration.
Ruth Ching came down to the event with her son Kaiden Ching-Licoan, 7, who was coming away from the event with toy cars and a track.
Ching said she had heard about the event on Facebook and thought it sounded like a good event.
She said she had come to a back-to-school event hosted at the restaurant and really enjoyed it.
Ching said she also enjoyed this one, adding that it was different from other Christmas celebrations happening in the area.
“This one, it seemed more easy-going and fun,” she said.
Kaiden liked it too, he said, adding that he enjoyed meeting Santa.
Other families also cited Pabre’s reputation for putting on positive events to help families in the community. That included Ana Alapai-Ahonima, who came with her nieces and nephews from Hilo for the event.
“Nakoa, he puts on all kinds of events for the people and for the kids,” she said.
She said the day’s event was great and that it fosters good will within the community.
“I think it brings more awareness and appreciation to one another, just for our youth basically,” Alapai-Ahonima said.
Rayanne Mata made a similar point, saying the events demonstrate a commitment to the community.
“They’re so caring for families,” she said of the Umekes ohana. “They’re always there for them.”
Ching too reiterated that point.
“It shows they have community support and that they care for all their surroundings,” she said. “And they’re giving and they like to help out.”
