Me Ke Aloha Productions
  • Home
  • Hawaiian Events Info/Blog
  • Buy Hawaiian Music!
  • Pakele Live!
  • Contact Information
  • About Me

In the Wake of the Boston Bombings, Hawaiʻi Record Producer Helps Local Homeless Family

4/17/2013

4 Comments

 
Picture
Destiny and Trinity

Picture
Destiny (l) and Trinity (r) this afternoon with their new strollers, clothes, shoes, and dolls.

Picture
Shawn Pimental
As he was leaving his Honolulu recording studio in the wee hours following Monday’s devastating bombing at the Boston Marathon, record producer Shawn Pimental discovered a homeless family sleeping outside. With young children of his own at home, the sight of 1 year old Trinity and 3 year old Destiny sleeping on the street stopped him cold. He stopped to talk to the parents (Tiffany and Matt) and offer assistance.

At the close of a Facebook post early Tuesday morning in which he described his visit with the family, Shawn stated, “I think that in these times of tragedy like what happened in Boston, the best thing we can do is continue to love and reach out to one another. I'm not rich and have my own family to take care of but I can't forget the look on Trinity's face tonight. I'm gonna have a hard time sleeping until I know those children are somewhere safe. Anybody who wants to help with me is certainly welcome. Me ke aloha nui, Shawn”.

Shawn discovered that Matt, who was raised in Kalihi, had been laid off from his job as a fish cutter. The family had temporary shelter for eight months, after which they had hoped to move to the mainland to be with family, but that fell through. Neither Matt nor Tiffany, who is from Kapahulu, have family here to turn to, so they and their babies have been living on the streets for the past year. (They have a small car, but the registration has expired and they risk getting cited if they drive it.)

In a second visit with the family late last night, Shawn spoke at length with Tiffany. As they talked, he was horrified to see cockroaches running in and out of the babies’ nearby stroller, and both cockroaches and ants covering the ground near the family’s small encampment. Because of the bugs, Tiffany was loathe to accept many of the food items Shawn had brought for them, but he gave them money for breakfast and a Wal-Mart gift card, and offered the use of his studio bathroom facilities.

Shawn’s poignant Facebook posts about what he describes as “a beautiful, unfortunate family that has just fallen on hard times” sparked an immediate response. He has received numerous offers of help from people near and far. Some have provided information about shelters, services, and possible jobs. Some have sent money or gift cards for nearby stores (Foodland, Wal-Mart, Long’s, etc.) and others have dropped off donations such as strollers, diapers, formula, clothes and dolls for the girls. 

As of this writing I’ve been unable to reach Shawn by phone (I will update this post when I do), but in the mean time, in addition to food, clothing, shelter and any medical needs they may have, some other immediate needs that can be addressed are:

  • Getting the family’s car registered and safety checked, (I would assume they don’t have insurance or money for gas or any needed repairs either)

  • Rental of a storage locker for the family’s belongings 

  • A post office box where they can receive mail

If you would like to help this family, you may send or drop off donations to:

Shawn Pimental
Studio Ala Moana
1232 Waimanu St. Ste. C
Honolulu HI 96814-4306

You may also send donations by email via PayPal at no charge. Shawn’s email address is shawnpimental@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Shawn:  Shawn Pimental is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy®) Award-winning producer and musician. He has produced and toured with many of Hawaiʻi’s top artists, including Nā Palapalai, Na Leo, Kaumakaʻiwa Kanakaʻole, and many more, and has opened for national acts such as Janet Jackson, Color Me Badd, Steel Pulse, Maxi Priest, Morgan Heritage, Shaggy, Third World, Hoobastank, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Expose, and more. He owns Koops2 Entertainment (record label) and is co-owner of Studio Ala Moana. He also has a huge, huge heart...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: There are families in need all over the country. Shawn has shown that all it takes is one person to take notice and step up, and others will follow. While some may not want to directly approach someone in need, there are many worthwhile non-profit organizations that need our donations of both time and money. Please consider making a one-time or on-going donation to the non-profit of your choice. Every dollar helps. 
4 Comments
Johnna Padeken Parel
4/18/2013 02:29:17 am

What a great article Lynn:) I set up an email account as Shawn as the owner and keeper but in the clark Ohana name, if you don't mind, please extend the option of donation to PayPal account clarkohana2013@hotmail.com

Reply
Johnna Padeken Parel
4/18/2013 02:29:51 am

Thank you so much!

Love and aloha to you
JPP

Reply
Ku'upuailima
4/18/2013 12:46:44 pm

Mahalo for your aloha for this family, this story had me in tears as I know what it feels like to give aloha to those to need kokua. Mahalo ke akua for you! Such a big heart! Blessings of abundance for you and the ohana

Reply
Linda Balubar
4/19/2013 08:00:34 pm

God bless you Shawn, and thank you for caring....<3

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Originally from California, Iʻve lived on Oʻahu for a number of years. Music has always been my passion and Iʻm fortunate to be able to work with and support many of Hawaiʻiʻs musicians. For such a tiny speck in the middle of a very large ocean, we have an amazing wealth of talent  here! 
    ~Lynn

    Note: The purpose of this blog is to provide information about (mostly) music-related things. It is not a forum in which people should feel free to insult or otherwise badmouth musicians or anyone else. You are welcome to comment, but please be respectful, pono, and write with aloha. (Comments that don’t meet these guidelines will be deleted.)  Mahalo nui loa!


    Archives

    December 2017
    November 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Press Releases

    RSS Feed

©Me Ke Aloha Productions - All Rights Reserved

✕