In a vibrant celebration of Pride Month, Cheer Honolulu has collaborated with Hana Koa Brewing, Co. to raise funds for Spill the Tea Café, a local mental health clinic for teens.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — In a vibrant celebration of Pride Month, Cheer Honolulu has collaborated with Hana Koa Brewing Company. to raise funds for Spill the Tea Café, a local mental health clinic for teens.
The event highlights community spirit and the importance of supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Honolulu.
Riley Johnson, the marketing manager at Hana Koa Brewing, expressed their excitement about this collaboration.
“Honestly, it was an opportunity to bring back everything we learned from all the places we were nominated together,” Johnson said. “We wanted to create a space where everyone could feel safe and have a really good time.”
Hana Koa Brewing, which opened in November 2019, was founded by owners who aimed to bring back a community-focused brewery to Hawaii.
Johnson noted that “Josh, one of our owners, grew up here and wanted to create a space where everyone can come together to enjoy a good beer.”
Stephanie Glineburg, a board member for Cheer Honolulu, explained the mission of their organization.
“Cheer Honolulu is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,” she said. “We are members and allies who raise money to support the LBGTQIA+ community. Our goal is to strengthen and uplift Hawaii’s 2SLGBTQ+ community through volunteer work and events.”
As part of the celebration, Hana Koa Brewing planned to release a special beer called Cheer Punch, which would be available starting Oct. 18.
“This beer is a sour fruit punch, and we will donate 10% of the proceeds to Cheer Honolulu through Spill the Tea,” Johnson stated. “We are excited to involve the community in this fun project.”
In addition to the beer release, the two organizations teamed up for a drag brunch on Oct. 13. Johnson emphasized the importance of these community events.
“It’s been super fun to have Cheer Honolulu involved,” said Johnson. “We’re celebrating pride here at Hana Koa and creating joyful experiences together.”
Glineburg mentioned that Cheer Honolulu would actively participate in various events throughout the month.
“We will be at the drag brunch and have several events planned, including a donation class at Orange Theory Kakaʻako on Oct. 5,” she said. “We’re also excited to be part of the Pride Parade and Festival.”
Spill the Tea Café, the beneficiary of this collaboration, is dedicated to supporting the mental health of teens in the community.
Located in Kakaʻako, the café provides a safe environment for adolescents to explore their emotional health.
A spokesperson for Spill the Tea Café explained, “Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges, and we aim to provide comprehensive support and evidence-based treatment.”
The café offers services like individual and group therapy, mentorship, and family support.
“By addressing the unique needs of teens, particularly those who are LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent, we help them build resilience and skills to thrive,” the spokesperson added.
Glineburg noted the importance of this partnership: “We chose Spill the Tea as our beneficiary because they provide essential mental health support to young people, and we wanted to help raise awareness and funds for their cause.”
Johnson also highlighted the brewery’s commitment to community involvement.
“About every month, Hana Koa does a charity collaboration, and we love getting involved as much as we can,” he said. “We believe in the power of community and want to give back.”
The Cheer Punch beer will be available for preorder starting Oct. 11, and it can be found across the island after the release date. Johnson encouraged everyone to get involved, saying, “No matter where you are, you can grab a four-pack from a local distributor or come down to Hana Koa for a pint.”
Glineburg added, “Cheer Honolulu is always looking for new members. Whether you have cheer experience or not, we welcome everyone who wants to be part of the community and give back.”
She explained that the organization aims to create a safe space for individuals to connect and support one another through cheerleading.
For those interested in joining Cheer Honolulu or supporting their events, Glineburg encouraged people to reach out.
“You don’t need to be part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to join us. Just bring your willingness to learn and have fun,” she said.
This collaboration between Cheer Honolulu and Hana Koa Brewing not only highlights the spirit of Pride Month but also reinforces the importance of community support for mental health initiatives.
You can click here to find out more about Cheer Honolulu and here to access their Instagram page. You can click here to find out more about Spill the Tea Cafe. You can click here to find out more about Hana Koa Brewing Company. You can click here to get your tickets to the Drag Brunch fundraiser.
As the event drew closer, excitement grew among participants and supporters, marking a joyful celebration of pride, unity, and resilience in Honolulu.