Manoa Elementary students raise money for storm, flood recovery

News admin May 14, 2026 0 Comments

Manoa Elementary students raise money for storm, flood recovery

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A semester-long project for Manoa Elementary students culminated Wednesday with a check to support families impacted by March’s Kona low storms.

Students with the Tiger Den Changemakers after-school program presented $1,200 to The Salvation Army with money raised through business ventures.

The program focuses on entrepreneurship by encouraging students to create their own businesses. Students created and sold their own products at a pop-up makeke.

Fifth-grader Eli Magers recreated his grandmother’s original chocolate-chip cookie recipe. He says the process taught him to “never give up.”

Fourth-grade student Ida Lum sold buttons, badges, and other trinkets. “I really loved selling my things to help other people and showing them different styles of art,” she said.

“While we focused on creating products or services that offer positive things for our community, we also wanted to make a social impact,” said Kari Leong, program leader and teacher at Mānoa Elementary.

Capt. David Aycock with the Salvation Army says the money will go toward continued flood relief through food vouchers and long-term assistance.

“It is a blessing for sure to see these youngsters be able to do this and to be so gracious to give not only to the community, but to the Salvation Army, where we can get it out to the community in one of the best ways,” Aycock said.

“That says something about who they are, and we look forward to seeing them as they grow to do great and mightier things for their community here in Hawaii,” he said.

In addition to entrepreneurship, Leong says the project taught students about the importance of giving back.

“I do hope that they take these entrepreneurial social impact lessons wherever they are as they plan for their life,” she said.