Writer & Photographer – C/CPT Fredy D. Padamada Jr.
Each year, the Waimea High School Army JROTC Menehune Battalion takes on a Service Learning Project (SLP) that teaches cadets while also supporting the local community. In past years, cadets have performed campus seating upgrades and beautification, supported a local non-profit farmers market by maintaining the orchards, farm, and assisting vendors. But, this year’s project supports the community in a very different, significant way. For the 2025 Service Learning Project, the Menehune Battalion launched “Operation Fresh and Full of Hearts”, focused on giving back to Kauai’s homeless youth and disadvantaged community members. What began as a goal to create 100 care packages of essentials, doubled in scope to the assembly of over 200 care packages, thanks to the dedication of the cadets and support from the school and Kauai community.
Starting on March 10, 2025, donations were collected to fill the packages with essential hygiene items and comfort supplies. The packages included travel-size deodorants, lip balm, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes and paste, floss, mini first aid kits, manicure sets, and more. To make the donation process more engaging, the SLP team turned the endeavor into a friendly competition between companies. The company that donated the most items earned a company team-building party.
On April 17, 2025, the battalion came together to assemble the care packages, organizing the items and packaging them in an assembly line fashion. In partnership with Hale ‘Ōpio, a local nonprofit organization that serves youth and families on Kauai, the care packages will be received by them and distributed to youth, individuals, and families in need across the island.
Mahalo to everyone who donated and participated in this year’s Service Learning Project, and congratulations to Delta Company for having the most donations and will be celebrated with a well-deserved pizza party!