Keiki Kokua, Inc.

My journey with Keiki Kokua began as a volunteer at their thrift store. Now, several years later I am a member of their Board of Directors. And, I must say I have never met a more dedicated group of people working together to insure a brighter future for Maui's foster, adopted, kinshipship and or guardianship children.

Keiki Kokua has helped our family in numerous ways over the years. Their knowledge and experience in working with foster and adopted families is invaluable. They have helped us through challenging times with their experience of working with other families in similar situations. We are so thankful for Keiki Kokua. Our family wouldn't be what it is today without them.

I am a previous Foster Parent Recruiter from California and have recently started volunteering with Keiki Kokua, Inc. Thrift Store. This establishment is not only raising money for the children that need it most, it is also spreading the word about the need for Foster/Adoptive parents on the Island of Maui. It is also educating the public on the need for services for children and families who have been through the the foster care system. While volunteering, I have been able to talk with Jim and Alda (who run the thrift store). They have been Foster/Adoptive parents and advocates for children and families for several years. They have huge hearts and only want what is BEST for the children! I am so pleased to see how many people donate to the store and can't wait to see it expand and grow, also expanding knowledge about the foster care system and how community members can help!

My husband and I recently got licensed for foster care. In March we got a call to care for a 4 year old that needed everything. We needed a car seat right away so of course I called Keiki Kokua thrift store and spoke with Alda .She had one there and said she would hold it for me. I couldn't make it to the store that day so she brought it home for me to pick up later.WoW ! We also needed bike helmet which I found a week later. And to top it off a nice crisp Easter Shirt. We also received a store discount as foster parents. When the children have a need Keiki Kokua was there for me.

Shortly after becoming a volunteer at Keiki Kokua Thrift Store, their annual August Beach Party was held. Do you have any great memories of your childhood? Many foster children on Maui might not have any if it was not for the good works of Keiki Kokua, Inc.

The horse, the games, the clown, the pizza. Da beach. These kids can treasure these memories for the rest of their lives. I know I will.

Foster families have little support from state and federal agencies. Keiki Kokua fills this gap, helping Maui's children most in need. Being a foster parent myself, I have personally benefited from the programs Keiki Kokua runs.

On Maui programs and services are a big help to the public as a whole. The services that Keiki Kokua brings are outstanding. Scholarship for youth for educational purposes is very rare on Maui and Keiki Kokua is heading the field in that department, they are wanting to expand its reach.. The services are donations by the local community through a variety of ways. Opening a Thrift Store was a good call that serves the community and a method of providing that very important funding. I wish the Charity a successful

Kids what do they know? They know love, they also know sadness, sorrow, they want to play have fun go home, get a big hug. What do they know, well they know when they are not wanted, getting made to move from 1 place to another, no friends, strange places.
What Keiki Kokua's objective is to provide the tools and the means for a child to be adopted and become part of that family. Families that are seeking to adopt a child get the best information and guided in a professional way to achieve their objective. We need this on Maui and the other Islands.

Having been up close and personal with the local children and young adults of Maui, I am shocked at the sheer amount that has no or little support or parental care. Keiki Kokua goals are to make it easier for fortunate families to adopt these kids and thus the kids have a chance at succeeding in life as we had. Look at the potential couples who can't have kids or the lucky parents that have the finance and heart to adopt a child and give them love , support, a home, a start, a chance to succeed in life. Keiki Kokua's support and programs make this possible "Good Job".

I've donated to Keiki Kokua for past four years. With their help we started a scholarship program for Maui High School graduates who have been either foster children adopted or in legal guardianship or raised by grandparents or relatives.

This year Keiki Kokua will award three $1,000. and as of June 2011 Keiki Kokua will have awarded thirteen $1,000 scholarships.

Most recipients are going to school and working at the same time. A number have graduated and gone on to four year colleges.

It's been a pleasure meeting, mentoring and helping these very special and deserving youth.

Alda and Jim St. James should be heralded for all their loving and patient effort in enriching the lives of foster children on our fortunate island.

Keiki Kokua helps foster and adoptive children and their parents. They have been a non-profit organzation for about 5 years, and when the recession began, they decided to open a thrift shop to raise money for continued support of Maui's foster and adoptive children. The store is an enormous winner, that has found wonderful donors, and awesome customers too. It is run with employees and volunteers. The store has just about anything you need, and the prices are very reasonable. Everyone in the store is extremely helpful and courteous. They have just celebrated their 2nd anniversary in Feb., and customers constantly tell us that they'd be so disappointed if we ever left the existing location in the Haiku Marketplace. It's a must visit store, if you have not experienced it's friendly, clean interior, and happy employees and volunteers. Thank you!