The History of our Auxiliary 

Four years before we held our first golf tournament, we were without a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Kona.  As part of his visits in 2010, Hawaii State VFW Quartermaster Norbert Enos went to the Canoga Park, California VFW Post.  He spoke with Dick Skarnes, who was a member of the VFW in Canoga Park and resided half time in Canoga Park and half time here, in Kailua-Kona.  Norbert stated, "we need a post on the Big Island, in Kona!”

Dick took this to heart, and on his next trip to Kona, gathered several combat Veterans and said, let’s build a Post!  First thing on the agenda was to find a location.  So, Dick’s wife Beverly and their friend Chris found a spot by the old airport known as the Swing Zone. The Swing Zone was renovated with donations and grants from Home Depot and other organizations, and in April of 2011, VFW Post #12122 was chartered and opened, with 30 comrades and Lt Col Dan Malakai as Commander, and Dick Skarnes as Quartermaster.  In August of 2011 the post was officially named the LCpl Christopher Camero Memorial VFW Post #12122, after the first serviceman killed in action from our island. LCpl Camero died July 12, 2011.

The lease at the Swing Zone was up in 2012, so the move was made to our current location on Kaiwi Street.  The Grand officers told the Post they should have an Auxiliary.  So Bev joined the Honolulu Auxiliary in order to recruit members for a Kona Auxiliary.  Bev says that "Dick loved the VFW”.

Our auxiliary was officially instituted on November 24, 2012, with 31 Charter Members. The ceremony was open to the public and was held at the Kona Elks Lodge. Bev was our inspiration and creator, servingas our first President. She completedall the requiredpaperwork and leg-work to make us official.

Our meetings were held at the Kona Elks Lodge and the Swing Zone.  Earlyevents those first few years consisted of, among others, the following activities:

Italian/Spaghetti Dinners  On various dates, we held dinners.  They were primarily held at either Tern's Restaurant or the "Old" Swing Zone (the location of the Post).

Kailua Village Stroll We had a table where we offered greeting cardsfor the public to sign to send to veterans. We also distributed Buddy Poppies.

Half-Day Sportfishing Charter Trips out of Kailua Bay - The monies went to our Cancer Aid ReliefFund.

Dinners with Live Music and Dancing- at the Swing Zone Post location.

Rummage Sales/Bake Sales Held at the Post location on Kaiwi Street.

Drawing A handmade "Patriotic" quilt had been donated and an opportunity drawing was held June.14, 2013.

A Judged Chili Cookoff was held at theSwing Zone Post location.

Ukulele Donations were made to the Alaska FisherHouse, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,Kealakehe Middle School and Kahakai Elementary School

Fisher House Holiday Project "Care" Packages We put together Care packages to send to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Fisher House in Germany. We selected the items to provide in the care packages for this holiday project. The Veterans Hospital in Germany was chosen as we do not have a Veteran’s Hospital locally to support.

Swap Meets were first held in November of 2013. They were held at the Old Swing Zone.

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument – The monument dedication ceremony was held at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on September 26, 2021, with other Big Island VFW comrades and auxiliary members as well as other dignitaries in attendance. This project was a success thanks to the Big Island VFW Auxiliaries.

Adopted Christmas Family 2014 We adopted a family of three and donated clothing, toys and cash (folded bills placed on a Christmas tree).

Greeting Cards for Military Personnel  This was an ongoing endeavor to cheer those serving in the U.S. and foreign countries, including Fisher House.

Combined VFW/Auxiliary Events

Project Compassion was held at Denny's restaurant on May 5, 2013. In partnership with Kona Rotary Club, Denny's sponsored Project Compassion to benefit the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Kona. VFW members and Auxiliary members served as greeters and order takers for the evening with a percentage of sales and tips donated to our post by Denny's.

Veterans Cemetery - Our post and auxiliary participated in and/or hosted many patriotic ceremonies and luncheons at the cemetery, including a special POW/MIA dedication.

Parades - Our Post and auxiliary participated in a variety of Kailua-Kona parades.

Charity Trees at Mauna Lani – this annual event was held at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel; it was comprised of a display of Christmas trees decorated by nonprofit organizations. The winners were decided by vote. We took part in 2012 and 2013 under the name of our auxiliary. We entered with the Gathering of Eagles organization in 2014. For our 2012 entry, we placed second; in 2013 we placed first, and in 2014 we placed second. With the three years of winning, we made donations to Cancer Research, our adopted family during the holidays, as well as to the Gathering of Eagles.

2021- VFW and Auxiliary Convention - Our Auxiliary, along with Pahoa and Hilo Posts, hosted The Department of Hawai’i VFW and Auxiliary Convention here in Kailua-Kona June 10 - 12, 2021. The convention was held at the Royal Kona Resort, with a dinner at the Kona Elks Lodge.

Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports (SUDS) - During their visits here, our auxiliary makes donations toward meals for the participants. We also hold  social gatherings and provide meals and entertainment at the Post to meet them. 

The Auxiliary is a strong presence in the Kona community, assisting Veterans and their families, Kupuna and Keiki in need.  We support our comrades by assisting in projects when requested, cooking meals on Fridays and Taco Tuesdays, and hold a variety of events to help our Post thrive!

Come by and get to know us - we are a friendly group!