Hilo Orchid Society president Julie Goettsch and show chairwoman Sandra Song present a donation to Julie Mitchell, executive director of Kuikahi Mediation Center (KMC). The $5,360 check represents a portion of ticket sales from the Aug. 2 Preview Party, which KMC helped organize. The benefit party kicked off the 60th Annual Hilo Orchid Show and Sale at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Hilo Orchid Society)

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hilo Orchid Society’s benefit Preview Party, which kicked off the 60th Annual Hilo Orchid Show and Sale, raised $5,360 for Kuikahi Mediation Center (KMC).

Held Aug. 2 at the Edith Kanakaole Stadium, the benefit featured wine and beer tasting, catered food, live music, and orchid pre-sales.

“We were so grateful to be the beneficiary of this event for the second year in a row,” KMC Executive Director Julie Mitchell said. “In these difficult economic times, partnerships between organizations are essential. These funds will truly make a difference in helping us provide much-needed human services.”

KMC offers a big mahalo to the Hilo Orchid Society, especially president Julie Goettsch and show chairwoman Sandra Song. Mahalo to Kona Brewing Co., AJ & Sons Catering, Island Naturals, Hilo Coffee Mill, Sustainable Island Products, Kui & I Florist, and Hawaii Printing Corporation. Thanks also to James McCully, Rene Ahu, Boni Norito, Leafy Hao, Danny Robinson, and all the volunteers who helped make the Preview Party possible.

Since 1983, Kuikahi Mediation Center has helped to bring about peaceful resolutions to conflicts in our community — first as a program of the Hawaii Island YMCA, and from 2005 as an independent non-profit organization. Kuikahi is the sole non-profit mediation center serving East Hawaii, and one of only five in the state.

“Our agency provides a vital service to the community, especially in the areas of domestic and foreclosure mediations,” Mitchell said. “Over 50 percent of our clients have annual household incomes of under $20,000. Our services are provided on a sliding scale fee schedule, and no one is turned for lack of funds.”

Kuikahi Mediation Center is offering a 28-hour “Basic Mediation Training” starting Saturday, Sept. 29.

For more information, call 935-7844 or visit www.kmchilo.com