T&C Surf Designs launched a limited-edition Kalo Collection last week, with $25,000 from the collection’s proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi to support youth mentorship and development programs on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.
Inspired by kalo, or taro, and its ability to produce new shoots from the parent plant, the collection reflects the connection between generations and the role of mentorship in helping young people thrive.
On Kauaʻi, the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi operates four program locations: a clubhouse in Līhuʻe, one in Kapaʻa, a West Kauaʻi location with a teen center, and an elementary program at St. Teresa’s.
And the organization disclosed it has plans to expand on Kauaʻi.
The Harriet and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation donated the former Garden Island newspaper building on Kūhiō Highway to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi for the purpose of transforming the property into a new teen center in Līhuʻe.
Plans call for converting the building’s warehouse space into a gymnasium and using former office areas for program rooms, offices and a commercial kitchen that could help feed the community.
The Boys and Girls Club of Hawaiʻi has raised slightly more than $1 million toward a $6.5 million capital campaign. It seeks to complete construction and open the facility by mid-2029, depending on fundraising and construction progress.
The nonprofit leans on community support, which is important to maintain access to safe, structured after-school activities. And, the need for those services remains significant.
Paddy Kauhane, president & CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi, told Kauaʻi Now that about 70,000 children statewide are seeking access to after-school programs, while Līhuʻe alone has about 100 children on a waiting list.
In the meantime, the new T&C Surf Designs collection will be available at its stores and online while supplies last.
“The partnership brings together two Hawaiʻi organizations with a shared focus on community and youth development,” Kauhane said. “We’re just so honored.”
Lonnie Isher of T&C Surf Designs approached the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi about dedicating the collection to them. The nonprofit helped develop the campaign’s messaging and select photographs and videos to accompany the launch.
Kauhane said the collection’s message closely aligns with their mission to mentor young people and prepare them for the future.
The funds raised from the collection will help pay for programs and activities that give children opportunities to learn, build relationships and develop new skills. Funding may support field trips, workforce development, athletics, arts and crafts, hula, music and leadership programs, as well as other enrichment opportunities.
The partnership builds on an existing relationship between the organizations. T&C Surf Designs has supported surf events on Oʻahu for years, including bringing children from Kauaʻi to participate.
The collection’s theme also carries particular significance for Hawaiʻi communities recovering from severe storms and other hardships, Kahune explained.
“What we saw through the aftermath of these storms was how Hawaiʻi comes together to help each other,” Kahune said. “To me, that’s just the foundation of our culture. The collection serves as a reminder of the importance of family, connection and mutual support.”
The Kalo Collection offers a way for supporters to contribute to youth development while purchasing limited-edition clothing and accessories. Because the collection was produced in limited quantities, the items will no longer be available once they sell out.
The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi is also preparing for its annual Kanikapila in Paradise fundraiser, scheduled for Nov. 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Keoki’s Paradise in Poʻipū. Proceeds from that event will support Kauaʻi programs.
To purchase from the T&C Surf Kalo Collection, click here. For further information about the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi or to become a member, click here.
