With Memorial Day coming up on Monday, some island residents spent their night supporting military members and their families.
Six-year-old Alexis Warnet loves to do the hula.
"Because it makes me happy," she said.
But for her dad Sean, who’s stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, it means so much more.
"It’s kind of, the more that they’re involved, the less they gotta worry about me over there," he said.
During his most recent deployment, his daughter took hula lessons, thanks to a grant she received through the nonprofit organization called "Our Military Kids".
"It kept her busy. Because instead of her asking ‘where’s daddy, when’s he coming home’ she looked forward to going to hula, or ‘oh I have a performance coming up’. She had something to keep her mind occupied," said Napua Warnet, Alexis’ mom.
And tonight at Bonsai Restaurant, it was all about helping the little ones. The nonprofit business league, Hui Pili Mau organized "Vegas Nite". Funds will benefit the national non-profit group. Our Military Kids provides grants to children of deployed National Guard and Reservist parents, as well as wounded or fallen warriors of all branches of the military. The grants cover tutoring, athletic or fine arts programs.
"They lay their lives on the line everyday for our freedoms that we often take for granted, but also hold so dear," said Geri Chawenson of Hui Pili Mau.
While these supporters appreciate the military, those who serve our country, also recognize how valuable these resources are.
"It’s great, I mean she did hula the whole time by herself, they supported her, they’re willing to do it again on our next deployment," said Sean Warnet.
"He was in tears, I was in tears, because he missed out on so much and she learned a lot within that 5 month time frame, so it’s emotional but it’s priceless," said Napua Warnet
And for the kids that this event and organization benefit:
"It makes me happy that I like to do hula for him," said Alexis Warnet.
Our Military Kids was established in 2004 and helps kids of all ages across the country.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
