The Hawaii Life Charitable Fund was established to provide an opportunity for Hawaii Life agents and clients, and the community, to contribute to vetted charities across the state. Recently, the HLCF donated $1,000 to each of the following organizations, and the impact of those gifts is already evident.
1. Family Promise of Hawaii
“Hawaii Life has been a wonderful partner and sponsor for Family Promise over the last several years. Their support of the annual Family Promise Fun Run has enabled the organization to provide much needed services to families who have been experiencing homelessness in our community.
With their recent donation of $1,000, Hawaii Life has once again made a difference in the lives of our families. With the help of Hawaii Life and all of our other sponsors and volunteers, the lives of hundreds [of] children and families have been impacted…Families have moved into housing with the support that is needed to make their move and their future successful.”
– Laura Thielen, Family Promise Vice President (Programs and Services)
Approximately 5,000 individuals on Oahu are homeless. To know that almost half of those people are a part of a family unit is heart-wrenching. What can be done to help these families regain permanent housing? Family Promise of Hawaii provides life skills training, money management classes, vocational guidance, parenting advice, and mentorship to guide families actively working toward positive goals. Over the last nine years, Family Promise of Hawaii has provided almost 10,000 shelter beds and 30,000 meals to homeless families on Oahu, helping each family secure housing in an average of just over three months.
2. The Maui Humane Society
The Maui Humane Society is an independent non-profit organization and Maui County’s only open-admission shelter. It handles all animal management for Maui County and hosts the largest spay-neuter assistance program in the county. The Maui Humane Society chooses to focus on education in proper pet care and helping pet owners be prepared for emergency situations instead of merely punishing those found to be in violation of county codes. And, of course, there are the heartwarming connections.
From Lena Devery, a Hawaii Life agent on Maui, “After suffering the loss of our beloved golden retriever, Mr. Jameson, we are so fortunate to have found a beautiful senior golden mix at the Maui Humane Society. Kady fits into our family perfectly! She’s adjusting well to her other adopted sisters, Bailey, the dog and, Pearl, the cat. We look forward to giving her all the love she so deserves. Many thanks to all the wonderful staff and volunteers at MHS, especially Ava. You’ve all helped to make our family whole again. We can’t thank you enough!”
3. The Kahilu Theater
The Kahilu Theater was lovingly brought to fruition by Richard Smart, who owned Hawaii’s Parker Ranch and was a passionate supporter of the arts. After Smart’s death in 1992, the Kahilu Theater became independent from Parker Ranch and is now not-for-profit community art and education center. Not only does the theater provide a stage for world-class entertainers and performances, but it also maintains a youth arts education program, opens its doors for community-based productions, and hosts local visual artists.
Hawaii Life Broker-in-Charge and Big Island resident Beth Robinson raves, “Attending events at Kahilu Theatre is a favorite leisure activity for many of our North Hawai’i agents, as well as of our clients. Their range is fantastic, from slack key and hula to classical music and modern dance.”
The Hawaii Life Charitable Fund donation to Kahilu Theater was announced at a recent special event, which featured Amy Hanaialii as well as performances by students of Prince Dance Institute and of the aerial/circus arts program – quite a range of artistic presentations for the evening!
4. The Hawaiian Surfing Federation
For over 35 years, the Hawaiian Surfing Federation has hosted body board, shortboard, longboard, and paddleboard wave riding competitions for surfers from age 7 to master and Kahuna divisions on the beautiful island of Kauai. From these competitions, winners can go on to the State Championships and then, even further, to Surfing America’s National Championships in San Clemente. The Hawaiian Surfing Federation is affiliated with the Kauai YMCA and emphasizes ocean safety, in line with the mission of the Kauai Lifeguard Association.
How to Make a Donation
The Hawaii Life Charitable Fund’s mission of “working to preserve Hawaii’s beauty and culture while supporting its people” drove the HLCF Board of Directors, made up of Matt Beall (Hawaii Life Principal Broker), Alison Wisnom (Hawaii Life agent, Oahu), Debi Rickert (Hawaii Life Transaction Manager, Kauai), Mealoha Kraus (Hawaii Life agent, Hawaii), and Tobi Fisher (Hawaii Life agent, Maui), to partner with Hawaii Community Foundation to ensure all donations are handled with proper and efficient care. Agents and clients are able to direct monies into the HLCF account at the close of escrow and anyone may donate at any time via give.hawaiilife.com.
A Big Mahalo
Hawaii Life and the Hawaii Life Charitable Fund Board thank all those who made these donations possible! We look forward to a new year of effecting support for our community!
Leave your opinion here. Please be nice. Your Email address will be kept private, this form is secure and we never spam you.