A group of local businessmen continue to lend a helping hand and you can too.
Hours after Japan was hit by an earthquake and devastating tsunami on March 11th a handful of local business owners came together to help.
"We printed this t-shirt and put it on Facebook and got on TV and raised money for the people of Japan,” said B.J. Sabate of Buti Groove.
The Aloha for Japan campaign, which was eventually adopted by the state, raised $7 million in relief money for Japan.
$80,000 of that money came straight from t-shirt sales making the tees a prized purchase as 10,000 shirts flew off the shelves within the first week.
"It feels awesome, it feels good that companies can come together for a cause to help people in Japan,” said Jacky Buder of Barefoot League.
Twenty-thousand shirts later the campaign continues with added product and a renewed sense of purpose.
The team has plenty of original shirts and has recently created a children’s shirt and brand new Aloha pin which will debut this weekend at the Barefoot League booth featured at the Made in Hawaii Festival.
"Try to generate more money since it’s kinda fizzling out a little. We kinda wanted to bring it back and show people let people know that we still have products and people still need help there,” said Burder.
"Well we just wanted everyone to know that we are still doing this the proceeds are still going to Japan and they are getting it,” said Sabate.
After a visit to the country the team says now more than ever Japan needs help as they continue to overcome the homelessness, thousands who are still missing, hundreds of orphaned children and an overwhelming fly infestation.
"It’s even more important now because people are kinda forgetting about it and yet the people still need it in Japan…so we wanted everyone to know you can still do your part and donate,” said Sabate.
On Thursday, another $80,000 will be donated to the Japan American Society of Hawaii from Aloha shirt sales.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
