Page 8 - MidWeek - Nov 16, 2022

8 MIDWEEK NOVEMBER 16, 2022
He's Back and Ready to Crack!
After three long years the magical holiday tradition returns.
From the steps of Washington Place, journey to the summit of Mauna Kea and frolic in a lush tropical garden filled with fragrant plumeria, crown flowers and ‘i‘iwi birds.
Choreography by Septime Webre and music by members of the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra. Guest artists from New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Eugene Ballet. A lavish Hawai‘i–themed production infuses the traditional Nutcracker story with rich history and island influences.
BLAISDELL CONCERT HALL
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Apopular Christmas attraction is re- turning to Pearlridge Center. It’s not Santa or the Express Holiday Train — although they will be there, too. Four “Light the World” Giving Machines are coming to the state’s largest indoor shopping mall.
Instead of doling out snacks, these bright red vending machines grant Christmas wishes for local nonprofits.
“This is all about putting people in a feel- ing that Christmas is a season of service,” says Mufi Hannemann, Giving Machines coordinator for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “And it’s a fun way of doing it. It’s something different.”
The machines are stocked with post- card-sized illustrations or photos of the items or services available for purchase, along with their prices and information about the nonprofits that would benefit.
Hannemann says. “For Pacific Gateway Center, you can help pay for meals as well as health and education classes. For U.S.VETS you can choose to help pay for hygiene items.”
Unlike traditional vending machines, Giving Machines only accept credit cards. Many people are used to making electronic payments, but for those who may need as- sistance, Hannemann says volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.
Those are just some examples of what’s available.
This year’s featured charities are Adult Friends for Youth, Family Programs Hawai‘i, Pacific Gateway Center and U.S.VETS Hawai‘i. All have strong ties to the local community.
Last year, Pearlridge was home to just two Giving Machines that together raised approximately $140,000. Hannemann is hopeful that four Giving Machines will collect twice as much for this year’s wor- thy causes.
“The mission of Family Programs Ha- wai‘i is the wellbeing and safety of our keiki,” says Hannemann, a former Mayor of Honolulu. “Adult Friends for Youth fo- cuses on troubled and at-risk youth. Pacific Gateway Center helps immigrant families coming to Hawai‘i — many of them from the Pacific Islands, including Micronesia. And U.S.VETS Hawai‘i is all about helping our military families.”
“I’m always impressed by how people in Hawai‘i always open up and support oth- ers in need,” Hannemann says. “Especially during the Christmas season, you feel even better that you’re making sure people are happy and you put a smile on their faces.”
What makes Giving Machines stand out — aside from the novelty — is that the items and services for purchase were cho- sen by the benefiting organizations. That means when someone makes a donation, they can rest assured it will be put to good use.
The shopping center is hosting a Giv- ing Machines launch party at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 and the machines will remain there through Jan. 2. Pearlridge is open every day this season except Christmas and New Year’s Day.
“For Family Programs Hawai‘i you can purchase travel duffel bags for their youth,”
For more information, visit givingma- chine808.com.
Giving Machines will be at Pearlridge Mauka next to the Express Holiday Train and at Pearlridge Makai next to the Santa display.
— Karen Iwamoto
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Photo courtesy Mufi Hannemann