Keauhou Shopping Center serves as piko for West Hawai'i community

Ali‘i Health Center joined the effort to fight the spread of COVID-19 by offering free drive-thru screening and testing in the Keauhou Shopping Center parking lot – the only site serving West Hawai‘i and the largest in all of Hawai‘i County.

Jul. 16, 2020

Contributed by Ben Balberdi

With help from tenants, Keauhou Shopping Center – owned and operated by Kamehameha Schools – served as a hub for the Kailua-Kona community to access essential goods and services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A shopping center often serves as the piko of a community, figuratively and literally,” said Jeff Mau, KS director of Asset Management. “As a close option for many Kailua-Kona residents, it was important to work with our tenants to ensure that the community can safely get their daily necessities like food and healthcare services during this pandemic.”

While many residents hunkering down during the state’s stay-at-home mandate, tenants like KTA Super Store and Longs Drugs kept their doors open for customers while increasing health and safety protocol.

Many of the center’s eateries and restaurants also remained open and adjusted to take-out and curbside pick-up options to ensure social distancing.

Inspired to extend kōkua and aloha during these uncertain times, some tenants used their resources to support the community, especially those heavily impacted by the pandemic.

Ali‘i Health Center, one of five tenants providing healthcare services, joined the effort to fight the spread of COVID-19 by offering free drive-thru screening and testing in the center’s parking lot—the only site serving West Hawai‘i and the largest in all of Hawai‘i County.

The Kona Stories Bookstore held an education support drive raising over $11,000 for school supplies and learning materials for Ulu Wini Place, The Friends of the Children of West Hawai‘i, foster parents, and families needing additional support for keiki learning at home.

Lastly, Fabric and Quilting Delights owner, Honya Sawinski, donated material and time to sew over 600 masks for frontline workers and kūpuna at Kona Hospital and the senior living facility Hualālai Regency.

“The well-being of our West Hawai‘i community is our top priority,” said Kristin Kamakau, JLL general manager for Keauhou Shopping Center. “Mahalo to our tenants for supporting the community and ensuring a safe and welcoming shopping experience for all patrons.”

Keauhou Shopping Center is open while continuing to follow health and sanitizing guidelines from local and federal health officials. For center hours and a list of retailers and tenants, please visit www.keauhoushoppingcenter.com.

Keauhou Shopping Center tenant Honya Sawinski of Fabric and Quilting Delights donated material and time to sew over 600 masks for frontline workers and kūpuna at Kona Hospital and the senior living facility Hualālai Regency.