PRESS RELEASE

 Date:               March 7, 2013

 Creative Arts Hawaii, Aloha Grown and the Parker Ranch Store are proud to present a $5,000 donation check to the Food Basket – Hawaii Island’s Food Bank. The donation will allow the Food Basket to provide 12,500 meals to families in need on the Big Island.

 [See photo taken at Aloha Grown store in downtown Hilo – En Young (Food Basket, Executive Director), Connie Kurohara (Creative Arts Hawaii, Vice President), Tracey Akau (Parker Ranch Store, Manager) and Tyler Owens (Aloha Grown, Manager)]

 The three ohana companies strongly believe in supporting and giving back to the local community, so together they sold exclusive limited edition “MALAMA” shirts during the holiday season, with all proceeds benefitting the Food Basket.

 “MALAMA was selected as the shirt design because ‘malama’ means to nurture, preserve or protect. We must malama our community and make sure that our neighbors and friends do not go hungry.

 The kalo (or taro) was specifically selected as the shirt’s background image because it represents family and provides sustenance, which is what the Food Basket provides for our local community in need.”

 The Food Basket provides nutritious and high quality food to local Big Island families, children and seniors who might otherwise go hungry. Visit www.foodbaskethi.org for more information.

  Malama shirts are still available for purchase at the Aloha Grown store in downtown Hilo, the Parker Ranch Store in Waimea or www.parkerranchstore.com. Cost is $20.00 with all proceeds benefitting the Food Basket.

 For more information on Creative Arts Hawaii, Aloha Grown or the Parker Ranch Store, visit www.creativeartshawaii.com, www.alohagrown.com or www.parkerranchstore.com.

 Creative Arts Hawaii was founded in 1942 in Hilo, Hawaii and the locally-owned and operated business has grown to be one of the largest custom apparel printers on the Big Island, offering screen printing, embroidery, graphic design and promotional products. In 2010, a retail apparel line called Aloha Grown was created to help promote sustainability in Hawaii. Aloha Grown apparel and accessories promotes ‘Supporting Local, Sustaining the Aina and Sharing the Aloha.’ In the same year, the Parker Ranch Store was acquired creating a complementary partnership and ohana. The Parker Ranch Store promotes ‘made in Hawaii’ products and supports the ranching lifestyle in Waimea.