KILAUEA — A customer who was not paying attention on Friday nearly pulled the lei la‘i that secured the main entry doors of the Gather Federal Credit Union, Kilauea office.
The bank of teller stations was tested as lines formed during the blessing and grand opening of the Gather Federal Credit Union which opened its doors for business across the street from the Kilauea Post Office, and drew morning coffee customers from the Foodland store.
“A big thank you to the Kilauea and North Shore community for joining us on this much-anticipated occasion,” said Gather FCU President and CEO Tess Shimabukuro, who was kept busy accepting gifts of floral arrangements and potted plants from the throng of guests. “It was a joy to connect with our members and introduce them to Kilauea Branch Manager Derek Leyendeckers and his team.”
Kahu Wayne Vidinha of Ke Akua Mana Church officiated the blessing after the lei la‘i was restored. The traditional Hawaiian blessing was shortened due to the lines of people inside the Kilauea office waiting to finish their transactions, and the lei la‘i undone by Shimabukuro and Gather FCU Board President Walton Hong.
The crowd adjourned to the welcome shade of tents set up in the branch’s parking lot while guests were directed to park in the empty lot across the street. One of the guests included the Kauai Habitat for Humanity’s director, Milani Pimental, who said they acquired the lot adjacent to the Kilauea Branch and will see a scheduled six homes coming up, whose families will appreciate the convenience of having Gather FCU as a neighbor.
Refreshments were provided by Kilauea Bakery who brought over a selection of pizza and pastries, Kainoa Iwasaki of K Snacks cranked out s seemingly unending amount of shave ice, and coffee from Kai Bar Kilauea. Lihau and Kellen Paik blanked the area with music on par with The Kilauea Social Club.
A Gather FCU team distributed special Kilauea shirts and other Gather FCU swag as customers adjourned to register for a radio summer challenge.
The Gather FCU Kilauea office was built by Shioi Construction and marks the seventh branch facility, including the branch located inside the Walmart store, for Gather FCU. The Kilauea office that is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a milestone for Gather FCU as the credit union now has a presence on all sides of the island. With ample parking, the Kilauea branch offers checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, a drive-up 24/7 Automated Teller Machine, and much more.
“Our team of friendly, familiar faces is eager to help North Shore families and businesses thrive,” Shimabukuro said. “Please stop in for your banking needs, or just to say ‘hello.’”
Gather FCU, Kilauea is offering in-person grand opening specials on Share Certificates, and Signature Visa by stopping in at their new location through July 21.
Source: The Garden Island