North Shore NewsWahiawa, HI—Tickets are now on sale for the 12th Dole Plantation Benefit Luau for the Waialua High &
Intermediate School Robotics Program. All proceeds from the event – set for the evening of Thursday, May
9 – will support the team’s travel to competitions across the world.
Individual luau tickets are $50 and are available for sale through May 8 (or while supplies last) at Dole
Plantation, through robotics team members or by contacting Waialua Robotics’ director Glenn Lee at 637.8292.
Corporate tables are also available. Each year, the Waialua robotics team qualifies for competitions around the world but raising funds for travel is a continuous challenge. Castle & Cooke Properties, Inc.’s Dole Plantation began organizing a fundraiser on behalf of Waialua Robotics in 2007 as a benefit to support travel to these critical competitions. Since that first luau, the company has presented them $110,000.
The Waialua team was Hawaii’s first robotics-related program when it was founded 20 years ago – and it has
become an award-winning international leader that was selected for the FIRST Robotics Competition “Hall of
Fame” Chairman’s Award in 2011 under the guidance of Lee, Waialua High teacher and lead coordinator for
the team.
“The Dole Plantation luau is the most important community event that our team participates in each year,” explains Lee. “Without the generous and consistent support that we receive from the fundraiser, our team would not be able to compete worldwide, which allows our students an unparalleled opportunity to participate in science, technology, engineering and math-related activities.”
“Over the past two decades, Waialua Robotics has become an institution, helping set over 200 students
from this community on a pathway to success through its focus on teamwork, commitment and responsibility,” says Mike Moon, director of operations for Dole Plantation. “We could not be prouder to have supported
such an amazing program by hosting this benefit for the past 12 years.”
The May 9 luau fundraiser will feature a demonstration of robotic technology by the Waialua team, Hawaiian food, a silent auction and a live musical performance by Lehua Kalima and Shawn Pimental.