 And welcome to At the Crossroads, special edition, I am your host, Pisha King. And today we are going to talk about a very, very important matter, homelessness. We face and see a lot of homelessness here in Hawaii, just like in other states. But I think for some reason here on the island of Oahu, it seems to be more prevalent. It's often that we will hear of homeless being moved from location to location. And these families are being uprooted because what they have is considered their home. Where they are is as home to them as any place else. So we have used the term houseless because oftentimes they are without a house and they have made a home someplace else. Well, today we find ourselves in a conundrum because it's not easy to eradicate homelessness immediately and effectively. There are a lot of variables and a lot of moving parts that need to take place. We think about their immediate needs of food, shelter and clothing. However, there is one aspect for one smaller demographic that goes unnoticed. For our babies, sometimes food, shelter and clothing simply is not enough. They need something that is a lot more practical, something that requires change. And today's guest, Anne Kamotsu, is going to talk with us about something that she does to help. Welcome to At the Crossroads, Anne. Thank you. Thanks for having me. It is totally my pleasure. Thank you for what you do. So you are a part or actually the executive director for Moms on a Mission, is that correct? Well, executive director for Aloha Diaper Bank and then one of the co-founders of Moms on a Mission. Wonderful. So, yeah. And who is the other co-founder? My other co-founder is Roxanne Kimura and we started Moms on a Mission about nine years ago now and we've been in the community, getting the word out to Moms out there. Wonderful. Moms on a Mission, M-O-M, mom, helps mothers in a lot of different ways, can you tell us? So one of our things that we decided to do when we started Moms on a Mission was to gather good, safe, healthy information that we could actually pass on to other moms. So you know as moms, when we get good things, we want to pass it on to other moms so that they can have the same, you know, enjoy the same things, discounts at different places and shop here, shop there, but also, and more important, was things that help to keep our family safe and healthy here in Hawaii, in our community. So we decided that we could gather information and pass it on to different moms here in the islands. That's terrific. So you do a lot of gathering of information and sharing it through Moms on a Mission, but you also have a very special organization within Moms on a Mission. So we decided that we wanted to find a cause out there. We've supported a lot of different great, different agencies out there. One was the Ronald McDonald House, which is a great, we love the Ronald McDonald House. We've supported them because they help children in need and they are home away from home. So we've helped them for the last nine years. Nine years. So as long as you've been in existence, you've helped Ronald McDonald's house. So how have you helped them? Well, we helped them by donating cleaning products to them to make sure that their environments are cleaner and safer. Cleaning products. Cleaning products. Yep, they're healthier, safer cleaning products. And then we actually go up there and clean. So if you want to come and help us clean, come and help us clean. Just by doing small things like that for the Ronald McDonald House. My other girlfriend and I, who are part of Moms on a Mission, Lauren, we help with their fundraiser, we go out to their golf tournament. So we just help them with getting their word out to the community of what they are for Moms. Right. Because Ronald McDonald House houses families whose children are in the hospital. Correct. So that's a very, very important organization. And a lot of people don't know about that. Right. Really? Right. Another organization that we support is Shriners Hospital. A lot of people don't know that they can get, you know, great medical assistance there at Shriners. So a lot of Moms don't know about that. Different things in the community that we just hold in a pool, human trafficking is another thing that we brought. Really big issue. Yes. And a lot of times we're kind of like in denial. We don't want to know that those kind of things exist right here at our malls and right here in Hawaii. So we brought that to Moms and some teachers in our community so that they could help with that. That's right. That's what Moms and the Mission does. That's wonderful. So now with your Ronald McDonald House fundraiser, there are two main things that I've heard about it that I want to talk about and then I want to participate because I'm a junk food junkie. So why don't you tell us about the sweets and treats that you have? So every year we've had a Ronald McDonald, we call it Rock and Roll Night. So we have Rock and Roll Night once a year and we have a fabulous, one of the big things that we have is a fabulous huge candy bar. A candy bar. Yeah, that's pretty, you know, pretty like the length of this wall and then the guests come to particular the candy bar. Now here's the thing that really makes me laugh because I know Lauren, right? And so she said that it's adults, they rush to the table. Yes. They have bags and bags to load up on the candy like it's trick or treating time. Right. If a child comes up to the candy bar, they're afraid to take it. They can't imagine that all of this is free for them. But it's been a big draw for us. We call it the Rock and Licious Candy Bar. Rock and Licious Candy Bar. Right. Right. So next time we have an event, you can come to that. I'll be there. Make sure I know about it or make sure Lauren tells me. I will be there. I'm all about the candy. Yes. But the other thing is the country store that you also support. Yes. So we do it for the Rodney McDonough House, we do the country stores. If you ever go to their Gala, we do the country store. If you like to donate to things to the country store, that'd be wonderful. And we just have an array of things. We do a lot of things from the outer islands that we bring in that you can't get here in Onowahu. So it's, yeah, great. It's a great cause to support. After supporting all of these other entities, we decided, mom said a mission needed to find something for us to, to, to a mission for us to look and embrace. So we looked around for the need and we found a need. And that's what happens. If you go out looking for a need to fill, you can find it. Right. Yes. And so you birthed Aloha Diaper Bank. Yes. A Aloha Diaper Bank. I love it. Yes. The Aloha Diaper Bank. So we looked and found, we actually were guided to the National Diaper Bank. There's a National Diaper Bank that actually heads the nation. And there are 250 Diaper Banks around America. And lo and behold, Hawaii didn't have one. So they were in affiliate with Aloha Diaper Bank. There is a small other Diaper Bank that is here on Hawaii Island. And it's called Hawaii Diaper Bank. And we're very aware of them and we want to partner with them and help them too. So when crisis occurs, the Aloha Diaper Bank and Hawaii Diaper Bank can kick in and help. So when we found out that there wasn't one and established one with the National Diaper Bank, we decided, okay, this is a great cause to take on because we're all moms. Okay. And we know. We know. We know. So tell us, we're going to show a picture. Okay. Why diapers? Right. Why diapers? Why diapers? Because, number one, food stamps and all those great things that we get do not cover diapers. They don't see it as need, but we know it is a necessary need. So on that list is food stamps can't be used to cover diapers when you go to the market. Diapers cost about 100, especially here, a little bit more to $150 a month for diapers. $150? Yeah. For diapers alone. Yeah. For diapers alone. So a lot of times when we have families in crisis, there's a choice to be made. So we see children in diapers for extended periods of time. So all day or even longer than that, a lot of parents who are in crisis use diapers over again. So it really is a health issue. It becomes a health issue for the child and for our babies. So we want to make sure that we can help that. One in three children suffer from diaper need. One in three. And here, we have about 56,000 babies under the age of three years old. So if one in three, we're looking at almost 20,000 children that could be in diaper need out there. Wow. Since we've started this and since we've launched a Loha diaper bank, we have seen a need arise. So I understand now. So on that list, let's take a look. Let's keep going down as to why diapers matter. Many parents choose between buying food and diapers. Oh, that's a tough choice. That's a tough choice, right? So, you know, maybe you can see in diapers longer by food. Childcare centers will not take children if they are not body trained or you don't want to come along with the diapers. So there's a lot of childcare centers now that will take your child if you bring diapers with them. If you bring the diapers. Right. But if you don't and you can't, then you're missing out on that. Lack of diapers just lead to tension and stress and all those kind of things in a family. So we're not only diapering a baby, we're helping to lift up a family. And at the end of the day, there's less stress for mom. Right. That's what you want. You want to avoid that extra stress especially for families who are already in a crisis. Right. Correct. Correct. So, you know, I just had a brand new grandson and I didn't realize how many diapers brand new, I don't remember, but a brand new newborn can go through 10 diapers a day. That's right. You know? So you're constantly changing them and constantly, so it is a huge, huge, huge need. It's a need. Yeah. So now, how old is your grandbaby? He is, I think, six weeks old. Oh, so he's brand new. Brand new. Oh my goodness. Congratulations. Right. Yeah. Yeah. So that is at least, for the baby they're awake, at least eight to ten hours a day with naps. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So yeah, that's like at least a one hour, one diaper per hour that they're awake and then they sleep and they soak while they're sleeping. Well, that's a lot. Yeah. For one family. But it is, it is a big, for a mother, being without diapers is a big, stressful need. I mean, you know, when you're right on diapers, it's like, we need to go to the store, we need to buy diapers, but it is very expensive. Yeah. Very, very expensive. We know that you now supply that need. We want to talk about some of the ways that you do it. We're going to take a quick break right now, but we're going to talk in a minute about how you get the word out, how others can help. Mm-hmm. And of course, we're going to talk about where your diapers go. Mm-hmm. Perfect. So are you just giving them out on the street? We want to know. We want to know all the details. Okay, perfect. And then you all will have an opportunity to help as well, because it's not just for the homeless, as you've heard, it's for people who are in crisis. But when we think about our homeless, we think about food, shelter and clothing. We want you to start thinking about something as basic and as practical and necessary as diapers, because babies need to change. Mm-hmm. Get it? That's my only joke. That's the only joke I have. We're going to take a quick break and we'll come right back after this. Thank you. Aloha. My name is Mark Shklav. I am the host of Think Tech Hawaii's Law Across the Sea. Law Across the Sea is on Think Tech Hawaii every other Monday at 11 a.m. Please join me where my guests talk about law topics and ideas and music and Hawai'iana all across the sea from Hawai'i and back again. Aloha. Aloha. I'm Stan Osterman, a host here on Think Tech Hawaii, a digital media company serving the people of Hawai'i. We provide a video platform for citizen journalists to raise public awareness here on the island. We are a Hawai'i non-profit that depends on the generosity of its supporters to keep on going. We'd be grateful if you go to ThinkTechHawaii.com and make a donation to support us now. Mahalo. I was saying, no. Aloha and welcome back to At the Crossroads. I'm your host, Keisha King. And today we're having a great conversation with Annie Komatsu from the Aloha Diaper Bank. Welcome back, Annie. Thank you. Thanks for having me. It's such a pleasure. You're doing such important work to help people and I love people who help people. I love helping people too. So now what you guys do at the Aloha Diaper Bank is collect diapers to help people who are in crisis. Right. Right. But how do you do this? So we are right now, like the food bank, collecting food, we're a diaper bank and we're collecting diapers to stock up our bank so that we can go out and give these diapers out to families in need. So we do a couple things. We actually do, we have diaper drives. So if you're a club, a church, an organization that would like to do a drive and would like to do some kind of community service, we would love for you to participate with us. So diaper drives are just done by basically putting out boxes out there in your community and say that you want to drive for diapers for the Aloha Diaper Bank and then donate diapers. So we've had a couple people do that. We've had Kalina Eldridge, who is running for Miss Hawaii actually, she just did a diaper drive and raised 10,700 diapers. Wonderful. So that's great. Yes. Thank you. We have another young man called E. Ellis, who is actually going for an Eagle Scout. So he's decided to make this as an Eagle Scout project and go out and collect diapers for the Aloha Diaper Bank as well. So that's great. You know, that's gotta be a great thing. People actually have the opportunity to take this on as a personal project. Yes. So that teaches them, especially our youth, about community service and giving back, giving to others in need. Right. Yes, I love that. It's a great thing to do and, you know, for the youth, it's close to their heart because it is a baby, so they want to help. So it's a great, great project. So what we do is we actually do diaper drives. We also do fundraising. We do cash donations. We can, with the National Diaper Bank because we're partnered with them now, we can actually purchase diapers. Huggies is the partner. We can actually purchase a container and then bring it over to Hawaii. So that's exciting for us and bring it to our warehouse here. And then that's what we're distributed from. But we love the community being involved and getting involved with us. Wonderful. Yeah. So now, so that's that process. You do have a lot of collecting. But what do you do? Do you give from five out at a time, you know, rushing it out? How does that work? We get the boxes of diapers because it comes in all shapes and sizes and sizes. When we do get it, we actually unpack the boxes of diapers and then we do what we call a diaper wrapping. Diaper wrapping. Right. I think we have a picture of it. So we actually do diaper wrapping and we have, this is a youth group, a church youth group that actually decided to volunteer for that. And we wrap the diapers in 25s, okay, by the size. And then we actually stock them. And then we work with agencies that work with individuals that are in diaper need. Okay. And I believe we have a picture of you with one of your agencies. So one of our agencies is HCAP or Early Head Start. So that's one of our agencies that we've partnered with. And if you're part of that agency, they will get you diapers. We're also do Kekeoka Aina, it's another nonprofit out there that we're helping. So we want partners in our community, whether an agency, a church, or an organization, maybe just be another organization of women that like to help their individuals in their community. Just I have my information up and call me and we can set up something to partner with you. I love that. So now you partner with all these different types of agencies. So I'm wondering, how do the people who are on the street find out and get the diapers? So we are currently working with a homeless shelter and another homeless agency that will actually, they already know the people, the homeless people that are out there so that we can give them the diapers to distribute to them. So they will take it to the homeless out there and get it to them. So they, because a lot of times those agencies already know who they are, they know where they are. They're already working with them, especially if they want to see their children. They want to see and do baby well checks to make sure that everything is going well with the babies and the children out there. This is a way for them to actually go and visit and make a visit to the homeless out there. Thank you so much. That's such an important thing that you do. So now you mentioned fundraising and events. Yes. Something coming up. Yes. In September, it is a diaper awareness month nationally. Really? Yes. Nationally. They've got a month for everything. Yes. Diaper awareness month. Right. Aware of what? So you need to be aware of it. We want people to be aware that there is a need, there is a need for diapers out there. I not only get calls from agencies, but I do get calls from individuals as well. I see. That are looking for diaper need help. So they are out there and if I can get these individuals to an agency or to a church in their area that people can help, I mean, that's what we want to do. So in September, we want to go out to the malls. So Lauren Okanisha is going to help us to do that. We're going to coordinate, go out to the malls and just make our community aware that diaper need is live and well in our community. And then we're going to be doing a diaper dash. It's called diaper dash. Okay. So bring your whole family down and dash around in an obstacle course and dash for diapers. So we're going to be organizing that and then there's more things coming up. But right now, September is Diaper Awareness Month. All right. So it takes nine months to make a baby. Yes. Typically. So in the ninth month, we are going to focus on diaper awareness because it's important. That is a good observation. Isn't that good to remember? Right. Very good observation. Okay. Got to be good for something. So there we have it. So September is your diaper awareness month. Right. And then after that, you're going to have a diaper dash and people can participate in this. Now is it going to be at Alamo Anamo? We're checking to see where we're going to, we're actually in the works of doing all of that. So. So we will keep an eye out for that. We will. We'll come back and talk to you about that. You can come back and you certainly can talk to us about that and keep us aware because the goal for that is simply to create awareness. Awareness. It's a diaper drive. Right. Okay. I mean, it will be a diaper drive as well. You can bring diapers to that and donate diapers for the dash. Okay. But it is really, really about getting the awareness out to people. Yeah. Okay. Yes. Fantastic. What you're doing is providing the most practical need. As we mentioned at the top of the show, we cannot eradicate homelessness so quickly. There are a lot of variables that are in play. We think about a house and whether or not it's affordable or if there are jobs and whether or not they can find employment. But sometimes it's just about meeting that immediate and practical need. A little thing, right? And we take diapers, open packed. Sometimes children grow out of their diapers. So if you have open packed diapers laying around, we'll take those too. Okay. Because we wait backage everything. So they don't have to wait for the diaper dash to donate. Nope. They can just donate. All right. Okay. So how can they find you? Go to my diaperbank.org. I'm sorry. Okay. So info. I'm going to say it here. Yeah. Info at aloha-diperbank.org. Got it. All right. Info at aloha-diperbank.org is how you can find out more information. And it's also how you can donate money and donate diapers. Because, you know, children grow so fast. So you're a six-week-old grandbaby right now. Yeah. You might start in a smaller size and need something larger very quickly. But I know also there are tons of families who are financially stable, who don't have a care in the world, and they receive diapers during their baby showers. Right. Right. So I would imagine that if they had an abundance that they could donate to you. Yes. We get a lot of that too. Yeah. We get a lot of that too. That's good. So wherever you, there's a diaper. We can feel the need. We can feel the need. Okay. That sounds good. Do you use cloth diapers or is it only? Right now, we are only doing disposables just because cloth is awesome. It's great. Yes, it is. We're looking into a program where we can have people help to make some cloth diapers. But it's just the education that goes behind it. Right. Yeah. And for homelessness too, it's very hard. Yeah. Very, very hard. Yeah. We love our partners, 808 Beach Cleanups. We love them. We work with them with moms in admission. And it's just education, making sure that we're not burying diapers in the sand. When you go to the beach, do not do that. Oh, yes. Please don't. You know, we take something to take it home with us and dispose it correctly. There is different organizations out there actually trying to recycle diapers. So I would love for somebody, University of Hawaii, somebody, some project, take on how to recycle diapers. That would be so awesome. Disposable diapers. Disposable diapers. Disposable diapers. Disposable diapers. Right. Right. And turning it into energy. That would be great. That is a thought. Yeah. Yeah. That would be great. You can recycle everything. Yes. Yeah. So that sounds like a good project for someone to take on. Not me. I don't have a clue. But yeah, I see what you're saying with regard to that. And it's good that you provide the education and you make sure they know, please don't bury it in the sand. Yeah. Yeah. Please don't shake it out and try not to reuse. Yes. Yes. That's so important. So many people don't know and need to know. Yeah. So are there any parting words that you would like to share with our viewers about any parts of the program? Are there any success stories or anything? Well, we're just starting. We are like, I think nine, not even nine months old yet. We started right before April and we actually went to Atlanta, Georgia to find out all about diapers in November. So for us, it's brand new, but it's accelerated so quickly because of the need. And if you or your church have a need and like to partner with us, we'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to do a diaper drive and do something for your community or do something as, you know, it just brings people together to do something for their community. We'd love to have you do that too. Wonderful. I think it's amazing that you're so young in this and yet you have help of some people and you've helped agencies. I love that. And I also like the fact that you partner with other nonprofit organizations. I think that's important because there are tons of nonprofits. Yes. You know, I think something else that could be helpful is if there were a pool of other nonprofit organizations. So we would know who is doing what and what is happening and how others can help. That's to come. We have that on our schedule. We'd like to, in probably a year when we get everybody together, have everybody gather together and, you know, just network with each other. Yes. See what each other does. Right. Sometimes some things overlap and I think that there could be some really great partnerships. What was it like getting the partnership with Huggies? Well, they're with the National Diaper Bank. They're partners with them. So it was great for us to partner with National Diaper Bank. So they support us. They get a lot of statistics for us. They lobby for us in Washington because a lot of states don't text their diapers. So wouldn't that be great? Yes, it would. Because it is a need and if we had... And at $150 a month... Right, right. That's huge. Right. So they do a lot of lobbying for us out there. So it's great. That's so good. Thank you so much for what you're doing, the difference that you're going to make in so many lives. We certainly appreciate it and I know that there are families out there who will benefit. So good job, mom's on a mission and the Aloha Diaper Bank. Thank you. Thank you. And so your name is spelled A-N-N-E, friends call you Annie. Annie. Yes. And I'm calling you Annie because we're friends now. Yeah, Annie. Yeah. Thank you. I want to thank you all for watching. You've been watching At the Crossroads where we've been speaking with my friend Annie at the Aloha Diaper Bank. If you'd like to get involved, please look them up. They have all the social media, Facebook, Instagram, and you can find them at info at aloha-diaperbank.org, okay? A wonderful nonprofit organization who's doing great things right here for our families that especially are in crisis and homeless. Thank you so much for watching. I've been your host, Keisha King, Aloha.