Mahalo (thank you!) to all who helped make the 19th Annual Christmas Block Party a success!  Over 460 individuals were in attendance and every child got a gift, they and their families got a great lunch and delicious desserts, were treated to face painting, fun and fellowship!
 
In addition to these donors there are many friends, families and supporters of Church on the Go and the family of Kahu Laki & Malie Kaahumanu that were there to set up and run the show from start to finish! 
 
Donors - Financial Contributions:
Anthony Biga
Ronald Daniels
Patrick & Jacqueline Kelly
David & Sheila Moore
Lithia Auto Stores/Island Honda
A Little White Wedding Chapel
Rotary Club of Lahaina
Tru Grindz (Akima's Catering LLC) – Lunch Catering discount
 
Donors - Toys & Prizes:
 AAAAA Rent A Space
Altered Intentionz Car Club
Bounty Music
Koa Puna Motorcycle Club
Maui Ocean Center
Royal Hawaiian Motorcycle Club
Scion Session Car Club
Lots of Anonymous donors
 
Donors - Services:
Burn’n Love / Darren Lee - Elvis performance
Makeup and Talent Hawaii – Donated Face painting
Pepsi Beverage Company – Donated soda and water
PWC – Donated cleaning services post event
Ezekiela Kalua – Donated DJ and sound services 

Click here to Check out our Wish List and Donation Form

Aloha!

Pastor Laki Kaahumanu has held an annual Christmas Block Party for the homeless and shelter kids on Maui – first with Harvest Chapel, and now continues that tradition with Church on the Go, Inc. It provides toys and gifts to children, who otherwise have no gifts. Church on the Go, Inc. is a public charity non-profit organization. Our EIN Number is: 26-3774351. Please help support the children!

Traditionally held the third Sunday’s in December, this year’s date is December 17, 2017 at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center (aka Wailuku Community Center). We hope we can count on you to help make this block party a success for the less fortunate kids on Maui!

Enjoy!  

(The video has been edited to show just a glimpse of the days event)

​Much thanks and aloha to all who helped make the
Church on the Go’s
18th Annual Christmas Block Party
a great day for the homeless and less fortunate
children and families of Maui. 
 
FINANCIAL DONATIONS

• Lon’s Electric LLC
• Laki Kaahumanu
• Rick Nava
• Joseph Pluta
• Feresteh Tali

 
SERVICES DONATED

• Roland Kana Eharis III - Musician
• Kalei Jaramillo of Na Pua Melia – Kumu Hula
• Kau’i Kahaialii - Musician
• Clarence Kanae - Musician
• Darren Lee – Elvis/Burnin’ Love
• Kimberly Marr – Face-Painting/Makeup and Talent Hawaii
• Kani Masoe of Ke Kani Malie

 
TOY DONATIONS

• Akima’s Catering LLC / Tru Grindz
• Royal Hawaiian Cycle Club – Motorcycle Club
• Nocturnals Car Club
• MANY, MANY MORE! 

 
VOLUNTEERS

• Ray Ahuna
• Royce Ching and family
• Debbie Gaspar
• Kristina Kalehuawahe Gervacio and family
• Malia Kaahumanu
• Malie Kaahumanu
• Quentin & Lehua Ki'ili
• Kyle and Ella Nishioka
• Donna Otsuka
• Maurine Pineau
• Carole Pluta
• Justen Tomita
• Pearline Wilsey
• Braddah Jacob and wife
• MANY, MANY MORE!
  
  

 
IN-KIND DONATIONS

• Akima’s Catering LLC / Tru Grindz discount on catering services, and hiring one face painter

 
On behalf of Church on the Go,
 Laki Kaahumanu (Senior Pastor) and Joseph Pluta (President)
Thank everyone who came together for the kids!

16th Annual Christmas Block Party, Dec 21, 2014
Photographs in this post courtesy of Aldrina Meier. 

Event brings Christmas cheer to homeless families on Maui
December 22, 2014
By CHRIS SUGIDONO 

Founded in 1998 by Pastor Laki Ka'ahumanu, the event was held a number of years by Harvest Chapel Church of God in Lahaina. Ka'ahumanu, who established the chapel, is a direct descendent of Queen Ka'ahumanu and is well-known for his prison ministry and service. He started the Christmas party to help homeless families, many of whom were living in shelters he had created on the island.

"There were all these homeless children living in the bushes or down at the harbor," he said. "They would go to the shelters but they don't have available room for them. It didn't seem right to have these kids sleeping in the bushes, and they got nobody to buy them a toy or even feed them properly."

Every year the party has grown in size, thanks to the help of associate pastors, Ka'ahumanu said. This year, the pastor has reprised his role as leader after being away from Church on the Go for a couple of years.

More than 300 gifts were donated by the Lahaina Rotary Club, motorcycle groups, classic car groups and residents, as well as retail stores such as Walgreens. Gifts included bicycles, stuffed animals, action figures and Razor scooters.

Tru Grindz, a food truck, provided free meals of shoyu chicken, hot dogs, and chili and rice to the crowd.

"It's always good to give to people who are less fortunate," said Tru Grindz owner Truman Akima, who is Ka'ahumanu's nephew. "I personally think giving meals to the homeless should be every day, not just for Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Malia Ka'ahumanu, the pastor's adopted daughter, has helped her father plan the party nearly every year. Given up as a child, she is a recovering drug addict and knows the struggle some of the families in attendance at the community center on Sunday go through every day.

"It was hard growing up, and I had to adapt to a whole new family," she said. "Living by God's love took us into a good path, and I now have a good heart to do good for others.

"I try to surround myself with positivity, but I'll never forget where I was raised from."

Lehua Dela Cruz of Wailuku grew up with Malia Ka'ahumanu and regularly helps with the party as well. The hanai sister lived in a shelter home for much of her childhood but lives independently now and shares her experience with children.

"We've been to every single one of these, serving, helping and teaching," Dela Cruz said of the party. "We tell them, 'Yes, you are going through a difficult time, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.'"

About 15 to 20 families living in a homeless shelter in Lahaina were transported by bus to the event Sunday in Wailuku.

Sean Means and his wife brought their two daughters and 1-year-old son. The family has lived in a shelter for a few months and had just enough money to buy plane tickets for the children's grandparents to visit from the Mainland, but no money for presents.

Receiving a tractor, stuffed animal and other items, the children had their Christmas gifts.

"It's a godsend," Means said.

Joseph Pluta, president of Church on the Go in the Ka'anpali Beach Hotel, who helps fund the event, said "it's getting bigger and better every year" and added that the joy and excitement he sees on children's faces makes all the work hosting the party worth it.

"You can't buy that," he said.

* Chris Sugidono can be reached at [email protected].