Story By: King Eddie

When the devastation hit Japan months ago, the world heard a calling to give them aid. There were countless charities and private citizens that did all that they could to help a country in crisis. Through all of the terrible things that have befallen Japan, the continuous support for it's return to normalcy is monumental. Many people here in Hawaii have done their part in ways of food and money donations, and there is even a message of sending aloha to Japan seen around the islands daily.

In recent months Andy Taam, owner of Hawaiian Fight Gear, and his family who are a part of the Kahu of Kapuokalani have been in contact with several people from different areas of Japan and heard a call to help. There are many areas that are being rebuilt, but several are still in ruins and will take time. Families with temporary homes. Parents left with no children.  Children with no parents. People with limited food, limited funds, and living simply on hope. Not to mention, the harsh Japan winter is quickly approaching and many of these people have a minimum warm clothes to get them through the cold . After hearing of this, the Taam family decided to do something about it.    Through the power of prayer and everyone doing a little bit  the Taams/ Hawaiian Fight Gear HFG and Kahu of Kapuaokalani, Hokulii Images and Hawaiian South Shore have organized the "Warm Fuzzies for Sendai"  in order to drive donations of warm clothes for our brothers and sisters in Japan.

Andy Taam- Hawaiian Fight Gear:

"We were in contact with some people over there from different areas and after hearing the stories, we had to do something. We started this "Warm Fuzzies for Sendai" and a lot of people have been willing to help.   It was really through the power of prayer  and so many people giving from the heart . The first run was over 500 lbs of clothes and blankets. And miraculously UPS saw the need and generously donated the shipping."

Being here in Hawaii, COLD weather is not something we are very concerned with. But many may have those few jackets, longsleeves, or hoodies that they wear from time to time that just sit in the closet. These are all the types of gently used items were donated. Taam stated that he had clothes from trips to the mainland, that he had in his closet and decided to donate them. This is the kind of help that is immensely appreciated.

"We had a sorting party for the first run, and we sorted all of the stuff. It took some time but it was amazing to see some of the warm things that were donated. I think that it's hard for most people to give money and everybody understands that. But giving these warm clothes and blankets is something that a lot of people can do, and it will directly help someone in Japan."

It's a great thing to see the spirit of Aloha is alive and well within the spirit of helping our brothers and sisters around the world. In a matter of mere moments, everything was ripped away from those people in Japan, and businesses like Hawaiian Fight Gear , that are looking to help in any way possible, is a beacon of hope and a shining example of just how much a group of people can do to help those in need.  After all, we are one!!!

Donations of BLANKETS can still be made through Saturday, November 19th and can be dropped off at the Hawaiian South Shore Surf Shop on Ward.