Keauhou Shopping Center announces 8th annual Back to School Supply Drive

It seems like the 2024-25 school year just ended, but the 2025-26 academic year is right around the corner and two organizations want to make sure West Hawai‘i keiki have the supplies they need to be successful heading back to class.

Keauhou Shopping Center, in partnership with Get Ready Hawai‘i, announces the return of its annual School Supply Drive this July.

The event — now in its 8th year of supporting West Hawaiʻi haumāna — culminates with an End-of-Summer Celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 2 in front of Regal Theater.

Last year’s drive collected enough for about 100 keiki to start the school year with backpacks full of supplies.

“We’re honored to continue this tradition of coming together as a community to uplift our keiki, their ʻohana and kumu,” said Keauhou Shopping Center General Manager Stephen Hicks in the shopping center’s announcement for this year’s event. “Many families are facing tough financial choices, and by helping provide essential supplies, we can ensure more students head back to school confident and ready to learn.”

Keauhou Shopping Center invites the community to kōkua by donating school supplies throughout July at designated drop-off locations hosted by participating shopping center tenants.

Requested items include backpacks, pencils, notebooks and other classroom essentials that will directly support keiki as they prepare for the new school year.

“No child should have to worry about having the tools they need to learn,” said Get Ready Hawaiʻi Executive Director Jeff Gourley in the event announcement. “We are grateful for the kōkua from partners like Keauhou Shopping Center, whose support helps ensure students in West Hawaiʻi have the learning tools they need to thrive.”

Keiki and ʻohana can look forward to crafts, yard games, wet bounce houses, giveaways and more during the upcoming End-of-Summer Celebration.

Get Ready Hawai‘i will also distribute free school supplies to families during the celebration.

To receive supplies, parents or guardians must complete an online intake form in advance.

For more information about Keauhou Shopping Center and the back-to-school events, follow @shopkeauhou on social media or visit the shopping center’s website.

You can also visit the Get Ready Hawai‘i website to learn more.