“I always strongly believed in working with young children,” Chuck Larson says. “But when I was getting my bachelor’s degree I was assigned to work in a kindergarten classroom. They never had a man there before at that grade level,…
There were dozens of volunteers on this December morning at Kahauiki Village, an 11.3-acre development that will eventually provide long-term housing to 153 homeless families on Oahu. Though there was excitement in the air, it was surprisingly quiet for a…
“I came here on vacation when I was 19. I decided then what I wanted to do with my life was move to Hawaii, become a cocktail waitress, marry a surfer and drive a moped,” Mary Scott-Lau recalls with a…
Fund-raiser for Shidler College of Business Alumni Association More than 100 wines are yours for the tasting at the 18th Annual Executive Vineyards event, a fund-raiser for the non-profit Shidler College of Business Alumni Association. The annual event — which…
“The martial arts teach you a way of life, a way to live. It’s not necessarily just being able to defend yourself,” explains Lee Donohue, president of Kick Start Karate, an after-school program to combat gangs and juvenile delinquency. “We…
The long-term goal of the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative is to plant 1.3 million trees “Forests aren’t like other commodities. You cannot accelerate the time it takes to grow a tree,” says Jeffrey Dunster, executive director of the Hawaiian Legacy…
“Papakolea is the only Hawaiian homestead region located in an urban center,” says Lilia Kapuniai, executive director of the Papakolea Community Development Corp. “Because of that, our hands are not in the dirt every day. Our children’s priorities may not…
We all know somebody who has some chronic health care problems such as kidney disease or diabetes and it's never going to go away, but it can be managed with medication, says Greg Payton. It's the same way with a lifelong…
“We went from a couple of guys sitting around having a beer, to over 300 people working here. That’s what happens when you don’t have any adults around – adults only tell you what you can’t do,” chuckles Jan Dill.…
Something as simple as a toy or a blanket can lift the spirits of people in need, light up their faces and perhaps even change their lives. During the holidays each year, The Salvation Army’s statewide Angel Tree program invites…
When Keiko Kajiwara was studying jazz in New York City in the late ’80s, she heard about a music therapy program at New York University. “They showed me a video of a music therapy session and I was so, so…
The collective hearts of local organizations and business leaders has created a wave of care and hope throughout our community. An ongoing alliance between The Salvation Army, Helping Hands Hawaii and the State of Hawaii's Homeless Initiative–in partnership with the…
Not many nonprofit social service organizations in the state of Hawaii can proudly say they've supported the community longer than The Salvation Army. Established to serve those in need 123 years ago and sprawled across 50 acres of land across…
“I count myself in that number of youth who were at-risk during high school,” admits Jay Jarman, 73, founder and executive director of Common Grace, a youth-mentoring nonprofit. “I’d say I was lonely as a child and needed a caring,…
“We’re trying to create a consumer who’s better-educated, empowered and can make their own decisions when it comes to first-time home buying,” explains Dennis Oshiro, executive director of Hawaii HomeOwnership Center. “A single mom who spent 10 years getting coaching…
Helping hands are often connected to generous hearts. Bringing action and goodwill to those in need, the people of Commercial Roofing & Waterproofing Hawaii are partnering with The Salvation Army for its school supply drive to ensure our Island’s future…
When victims of domestic abuse seek protection from their attackers, Ed Flores and his nonprofit are there to help. They also work to prevent the violence before it begins. Flores is executive director and co-founder of Ala Kuola, which helps…
A charitable gift annuity provides a meaningful gift to charity while improving your financial situation in two ways for the rest of your life: a steady stream of income and tax benefits. More important, you create a lasting legacy in…
American Lung Association Special Promotion Women business leaders in Hawaii are fighting to educate people about the need for more awareness and funding for the #1 cancer killer of women: lung cancer. These women have united through Lung Force, a…
Since its beginnings in 1948, The Salvation Army’s Camp Homelani has inspired Hawaii’s children and their families to dream big, explore their passions, and live Aloha. Nestled in a pristine pocket of Oahu’s North Shore coastline, Camp Homelani’s nine beautiful…
Keoni Vaugn, executive director of the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, offers breakfast to some of the 515 cats at the refuge. "We go through 75 pounds of cat food a day," says Vaughn. Each cat has a name, numbered microchip, medical…
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects 1 in 68 children in the U.S., and more than 1,800 students in Hawaii public schools have been identified as autistic, according to the Hawaii Autism Foundation. Gov. David Ige signed Luke’s Law in 2015, which…
CARL WILLIAMS IS A DOER. As the founding partner of CW Associates, CPAs, he’s welcomed the challenge of building a business and used his own success to service others. “I actively try to get things done and be a productive…
Ku Aloha Ola Mau means “to stand in love and health forever,” and is the name of a nonprofit committed to welcoming those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction as haumana, or students, lovingly, for the rest of their lives.…