Year 2: One Day One Team

The ‘Iolani alumni bond grows more powerful each year. This almost super human strength was even more evident on October 8, 2011 when the second annual One Day, One Team global community service project took place. Alumni in 13 different locations around the world surrendered their day off to roll up their sleeves and give back, whether at food banks, nature preserves, or shelters for abused children. One Day, One Team was jointly organized by the ‘Iolani alumni office and ICAN (‘Iolani Community Action Network). The following pages reveal how alumni, near and far, connected through the spirit of service and made a difference on one day in October and as One Team.

Boston

Emily Lau ’03, Lance Hirai ’04, Maya Tatsuno ’03, Yasmin Kheradpey ’09, Shireen Kheradpey ’11, Kimberly Petko ’04, and Robert Tamai ’09 gathered at Olmstead Park in Boston where they supported the Emerald Necklace Conservancy by removing invasive species and carrying out soil amendments. Thank you to project coordinator Robert Tamai.

Hawai‘i Kai

Nearly 50 alumni, friends, and family gathered at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve to beautify the picnic area up on the mountainside above the bay. The bulk of the volunteers (about 35) cleared thousands of keawe bean pods that regularly fall onto the picnic area. Before joining the larger group, about a dozen volunteers started their day of service by removing an invasive vine that was strangling the native Hawaiian ‘akia shrub. Thanks to project coordinators Austin Barnes ’06 and Marcus Kawatachi ’90.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong event, Nikki Ann Yee ’01, Brad Punu ’93, Kam Faiola ’91, Anthony Dang ’84, and Tesa Ho ’96 converged upon Stanley Main Beach, partnered with the Boy Scouts of America in a massive beach litter clean up project. Thanks to project coordinators Nikki-Ann Yee and Kam Faiola.

Los Angeles

Over 40 alumni and friends joined at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to package boxes of food for regional shelters. Products donated to the food bank require to sorting, cleaning and repacking—a process called gleaning. Volunteers are needed to assist with gleaning everyday. At the end of the day, these ICANers felt good that they helped partially alleviate the hunger problem in their community. Thanks to project coordinators Jessica Matsumoto ’03 and Daryl Nishiyama ’88.

Orange County

Alumni in Orange County met on October 15 to make a difference. They spent their day fixing up the grounds of Canyon Acres Children Treatment Center, a place of healing for abused and neglected children. Thanks to project coordinator Terrence Yacap ’84.

Philadelphia

Alumni (Kenric Murayama ’76, Chad Kuwana ’09, Emily Kuo ’09, Diana Lu ’09, Sarah Murayama X’12, Michael Murayama ’07, Norman Murayama P’07, Matthew Oishi ’05, Marisa Kirio ’05 and Scott Nakamura ’87) and their families partnered with Philabundance, the Food Bank of Philadelphia. They sorted and packed a variety of donated food collected during community food drives and also packed bulk items such as pasta, beans, cereal, and more. Thanks to project coordinators Norma and Michael Murayama, and Matthew Oishi.

Honolulu

ICANers hiked half a mile into the dense Mānoa rainforest and removed a highly invasive species of bamboo that have been killing native plants, all the while battling terrible mosquitoes. In all, they performed two full week’s worth of work! Their labor of love made a significant impact on the daily tasks that the limited staff of five must do to maintain the entire 194 acres in the forest. Mahalo to project coordinators Mark Ohigashi ’03 and Derek Kawano ’02.

New York City

A team of alumni and friends gathered in the heart of Manhattan’s Hells Kitchen neighborhood to partner with City Meals-on-Wheels, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing New York's elderly with nutritious meals year-round. Working with the program's staff, teams of ICAN volunteers hand-delivered over 160 nutritionally-balanced hot or frozen meals to senior members of the community while also offering vital human companionship over the course of the early afternoon.

Tokyo

For the second year of One Day, One Team, alumni re-visited the staff and children at Wakatake Home in Saitama to teach hula, make crotchet lei, play basketball and just spend time together. Kala Ahloy ’95, Kel Ide ’88 and family, Mike Lau ’88 and family, Puna Motoyama ’04, Kyle Nakamura ’04, Kelly Teramoto ’04, and Ryan Wong ’97. Thanks to Clinton Matsuzawa ’97 for helping to coordinate the event, and an anonymous alumnus for sponsoring lunch for the volunteers.

Portland

Twenty people partnered with the Oregon Food Bank to help fight hunger. At 29%, Oregon has the highest rate of children in households without consistent access to food. Alumni and friends broke down large bags of rice into 2 pound individual bags for the emergency food boxes. In total, they packaged over 13,000 pounds of rice. Volunteers included Dina Nishioka ’89, Scot Bondlow, Neil Uyemura ’71, Marissa Chung ’07, Forrest Ching, Ryan Ohira ’91, Nancy Southasarn, Howard Fan ’02, Derrick Abe ’87, Rhett Lee ’86, Erika Lee, Marshall Lee ’88, Caitlynn Lee, Stacey Gonzalez ’89, Diego Sanchez Torres, Cory-Ann Wind ’87, Tammy Kato ’91, Brandon Roberts ’90, John Saito ’88, Jacob Saito and Barry Mau ’87.

San Francisco

In association with Hands On in the Bay area and the San Francisco Zoo, this community service project involved beautifying the San Francisco Zoo by uprooting hundreds of harmful ice plants which endanger native plants and animal habitats. 

Seattle

Nine volunteers helped repack nearly two tons of frozen spinach in three hours at Foodline, contributing to over 15,360 meals. The alumni also enjoyed spending time with other alumni in the Seattle area, all while helping to give back to the community.

Washington DC

Nine alumni and 4 guests from the Washington, D.C. area gathered at Oxon Hill Farm in Maryland to pick up trash and plastic bottles along the banks of Oxon Creek. The participants collected more than 25 large bags of trash. Afterwards, the group members enjoyed a potluck picnic that included many local entrees such as musubi, teriyaki chicken, Korean style vegetables, Japanese style omelette and more.

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