Castaway Island, Fiji (FCI)
Castaway Island, Fiji Organizes Successful Blood Drive to Support Local Community
BY PRIYA SHARMA – Castaway Island recently organized its third successful Blood Drive to support those in dire need at Major Hospitals. The initiative was inspired by a FCI Host’s urgent need for blood donors while being admitted at Lautoka Hospital that resulted in Castaway Resort pledging to conduct at least two Blood Drives per year.
Organized in conjunction with the Western Blood Drive team based at the Lautoka Hospital, the blood drive took place on February 24, 2024, with 30 hosts stepping forward as donors, showcasing the community’s willingness to contribute to lifesaving efforts. A collective amount of 30 pints of blood was gathered from the donors.
The Castaway vuvale rallied behind this initiative and unreservedly supported the worthy cause.
“A blood donation is truly a gift of life that a healthy individual can give to others who are sick or injured,” said Manager Western Blood Services, Luisa Daurewa.
FCI extended its full support to the Blood Drive team, providing transportation, accommodations, and meals for the medical staff. The resort’s nurse, Rokolutui Kapaiwai, facilitated the event, ensuring a seamless process for both donors and organizers.
All blood donations collected during the drive were dedicated to patients in urgent need of blood transfusions at Lautoka Hospital. Each donation has the potential to save up to three lives, reflecting Castaway’s significant impact on the local community’s well-being.
Castaway Island, Fiji, remains committed to future initiatives and is eyeing upcoming dates such as World Health Day, World Tobacco Day, World Drowning Prevention Day, Pinktober (breast cancer), Movember (prostate cancer) and World AIDS Day for potential celebrations and awareness drives.
OUTRIGGER Kauai Beach Resort (KBR)
Charity Walk Kick Off Breakfast
BY JENNIE WONG – KBR raised $14,385.28 at last year’s Annual Charity Walk and are striding to break the record this May at the 45th Annual Charity Walk which starts at the Vidinha Stadium Soccer Field at 7am on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Our executive committee is excited to gather our KBR ‘ohana to walk as a team this year. Learn more about this year’s event HERE.
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa (OKR), Fairway Villas Waikoloa by OUTRIGGER (FVR) and Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER (RSC)
Clean the Beach and Reef Teach
BY FRANCINE MOLINA – OKR, FVR, and RSC hosts kicked off their 2024 Q1 event with a “Clean the Beach and Reef Teach” community service event at Kahalu’u Bay.
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Hosts
Waikiki Property Hosts Collect 105 Pounds of Trash along Waikiki Beach
On Saturday, March 2, as part of the Q1 OUTRIGGERCares volunteer event, more than 30 Waikiki hosts and their family members donned the beautiful blue #TEAMOUTRIGGER tee shirts and scoured the sands for litter. The group collected more than 100 pounds of trash, leaving their favorite place much better than they found it that morning.
Volunteer Opportunity with Hawaii Foodbank: March 16
Now, more than ever, people are facing food insecurity and counting on Hawai‘i Foodbank. Volunteers are one of the most integral pillars of their operational framework, and they need help from groups like our OUTRIGGER ‘ohana to provide access to food for families, kūpuna, keiki and other individuals who are facing hunger.
If you’d like to volunteer to help inspect, sort and pack dry food, produce and bread for distribution to those in need at the Hawai’i Foodbank warehouse with us on Saturday, March 16, here are the details:
Time/Location: 8am – 12pm with a 7:45 am check in time at 2611 Kilihau St, Honolulu, HI 96819.
RSVP by Friday morning, March 15, by emailing Roland Kam at roland.kam@embassysuiteswaikiki.com
Parking Details:
The packing will take place in parking lot under a tented area. Only street parking will be available. Please allow enough time to park, walk to the warehouse and sign in before 8 am.
What to wear/bring:
- Covered shoes are required (both heels and toes must be covered). Volunteers without covered shoes may be asked to refrain from volunteering.
- Hair tied back.
- Pants/jeans. Mid-thigh length shorts are acceptable.
- No sleeveless, midriff baring, skirts or low cut tops.
- Hats & sunscreen are recommended.
- Work gloves (if you have them).
- Reusable water bottle.
The work is done under a tent, but it is outdoors and depending on which section you are in you might be moving in and out of the tent. There are very physical assignments but also simpler ones that even keiki can do.