CJ’s Deli and Diner owner Marilyn Jorgensen receives the 2020 Vocational Service Award from Vocational Chair Tori Taylor (left) and Past President Heidi Dollinger.

LAHAINA – At a recent Zoom Virtual “Celebrations Meeting,” the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset presented its 2020 Vocational Service Awards to three West Maui restaurants.

These recipients were selected for demonstrating integrity through high ethical behavior that is the foundation of Rotary. The honorees provide a road map for ethical behavior in the workplace and other areas of life, and they truly demonstrate the Rotary philosophy of “Service Above Self.”

This year, the Board of Directors selected these three locally owned restaurants for providing service to the West Maui community before and now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CJ’s Deli and Diner has been known to the community for over 17 years as a “go-to place” for easy takeout and comfort food. They were fortunate to be able to make a fairly easy transition to take-out only during the pandemic.

Sysco Foodservice donated thousands of dollars of perishable food to the restaurant that was donated to the local community. Loyal customers purchased thousands of dollars of gift certificates, which were then donated to families in need.

Nina Barry from Down the Hatch holds the 2020 Vocational Service Award presented by the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset.

CJ’s owners CJ and Marilyn Jorgensen accepted the award at the meeting.

Down the Hatch, A Place to Eat Fish also remained open for takeaway during the stay-at-home order. This restaurant was able to continue to employ around 40 percent of their staff during this time period in order to help them provide for their families.

Along with staying open, it was of the utmost importance to the owners to provide family meals for ALL staff – working or furloughed. Down the Hatch also offered free meals to first responders and medical professionals.

Ashley Davis and Javier Barberi represented Down the Hatch at the virtual presentation.

Moku Roots also stayed open for take-out at the start of the pandemic. The restaurant donated surplus produce to team members and then to the community at reduced rates (and even free).

Shannon Lightfoot from Moku Roots displays the restaurant’s award.

The restaurant made veggie burritos each day from this surplus produce and took them to the Maui Rescue Mission in Lahaina to help alleviate hunger in the homeless community. They continue to do this daily.

They have been offering fresh produce boxes at a reduced rate in order to support local farmers.

Erica Gale, owner of Moku Roots, was at the virtual ceremony to accept the award.

At this time, the club is meeting virtually via Zoom. Guests are invited to attend the meetings, hear great online speakers and find out about volunteer opportunities in the community. For more information, contact Joanne Laird at mamalrd01@gmail.com or see the club’s website and/or Facebook page.