It Is Our Problem. Stepping Up to Responsibility.

Rallying a community for a car wash to raise money to save a hospital? At age 100 still leading others in daily prayer support? Helping newly released prisoners integrate and return to responsible living? Organizing tirelessly for affordable housing week after week? Standing with and for women veterans and women’s issues? Bringing joy with free ukuleles or fellowship over soup? Removing bee swarms? Working for immigrants, trafficking, and victim’s rights? Devoting hours to sustainability and environmental action?

What kinds of people commit to do such things without recognition or compensation?

People who don’t look the other way and say, “it’s not my problem.” People who care enough to act, to take responsibility. They step up and just do it!

Sparks of Hope honorees and their supporters. More photos on the TIAH Facebook page.

Members of the community from faith, non-profit, government service and friends gathered to celebrate the volunteer leadership and work of eleven such people on October 23 for The Interfaith Alliance Hawai‘i annual community celebration. The theme was “It’s Not My Problem: Responsibility in an Irresponsible World” and featured keynote speaker, Representative Della Au Belatti regarding her commitment to community in public service.

Honorees from all areas of Oahu from Waipahu and Kapolei, Honoluu, Kailua and Kaneohe saw a need or problem and committed to work with or through others to achieve a beneficial result. They share several characteristics in common according to those who work with them: initiative, dedication, helping others, and most of all, being an inspiration to those around them.

The 2016 Sparks of Hope honorees are:

Mike Compton

Mike has volunteered for 30 years, teaching ukulele to children and adults, gives away ukuleles and ukulele music. His reason for doing it: to share the joy of the ukulele and music. He teaches at Kuhio Park Terrace and Church of the Crossroads. He has also taught in Waianae, Waimanalo, and Kahuku.

Lynette Cruz

Lynette has been a tireless educator and cultural innovator for decades., retired from HPU, continuing to brings human and land together restoring their spirits and the mana of the land. She continues a deep community engagement from her retirement without any recognition. Her dedication to land, people and spirit is inspirational .

Lorraine Dove

Lorraine, who will reach her 101st birthday in November has led prayer group of several devoted people who pray each day for those whose needs have been referred to them. Lorraine has been dedicated to the leadership of this group for decades without fail. Lorraine is a past Executive Director of the Honolulu Theatre for Youth.

Catherine Graham

Tireless in her commitment to affect change for affordable housing through HOUSING NOW! Working with FACE, St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, the Unitarian Universal Social Justice Committee, she rallies the interested volunteers, communicates regularly about issues that need attention.

Herman Kiili

Took the initiative to pull the community together to save Wahiawa General Hospital by having a successful car wash.

Lt. Col. Ann Freed (Ret.)

Has worked tirelessly on many fronts advocating for women’s empowerment, as co-chair of the Women’s Coalition supporting legislative issues and platforms that include women’s issues; working in a task force on issues for women in military service. All her efforts are on a volunteer basis.

Steve Montgomery, Ph.D.

An entomologist by trade, Steve, known as “Dr. Bugs,” is motivated by bugs. He has discovered new species (Happy face spider, Killer caterpillar) through his work. He makes himself and his knowledge available to the community. He is especially known for moving bee swarms. He takes the responsibility to help others.

Nancy Rowe & “Soup After Jazz”

The “Soup after Jazz” at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, in downtown Honolulu, guided by head Soup chef, Nancy Rowe, and her volunteers, offers a simple meal of soup, salad, bread after Jazz Vespers, providing warm fellowship for all who attend (whether or not they attend Jazz Vespers, a popular Thursday after work respite).

Matthew Taufete‘e

Matt demonstrates his commitment to selfless service through the ten plus years that he has run First L.A.P., a certified faith-based safe and sober residential facility on Oahu for newly released male prisoners. Matthew consistently reaches out to help his men in any way he can, including giving back to the community by speaking to at-risk-kids and feeding the homeless on Sundays.

Terrina Wong

Terrina has been the Deputy Director of Pacific Gateway Center since 2012, working for immigrant, refugee and trafficking victim’s rights. As a volunteer, Terrina has been active in educational communities advocating to integrate global perspectives into student curricula, and as trustee of Hanahau’oli School.

Blane Yamagata

Blane is a leader in sustainability and recycling. He has taken responsibility in our community recycling tires and used oil and is the head of the only company that recycles them. He is committed to helping the environment in Hawaii by using the state of the art equipment necessary to recycle and reuse these unwanted materials.