First Hawaiian Bank: Meeting the Challenge

In October, First Hawaiian Bank donated $250,000 to support the construction of Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae (POW) Farm Village, a self-organized village of 250 unhoused people.
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Photo: courtesy of First Hawaiian Bank

We all feel it. The challenges of the past few years have intensified issues already affecting at-risk and marginalized individuals and groups. At First Hawaiian Bank, we share a common goal of giving back to communities and investing in organizations that will positively impact quality of life for people in the islands by supporting causes that are greater than just an individual or company. To meet this challenge, we’re focusing on building healthier communities and enriching educational opportunities by addressing issues such as food security, the housing crisis, gender equity, and closing the learning loss gap.

In October, First Hawaiian Bank donated $250,000 to support the construction of Pu’uhonua o Wai’anae (POW) Farm Village, a self-organized village of 250 unhoused people. This master-planned affordable community consists of modest homes with shared bathroom and kitchen buildings, and a working farm to feed village residents and fuel microenterprises. This single project will reduce unsheltered residents on O’ahu by more than 10 percent. The bank also partnered with the Youth Impact Program (YIP), which provides leadership development opportunities for middle school students who face socioeconomic challenges and other hardships, to implement the nation’s first YIP for Girls.

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Photo: courtesy of First Hawaiian Bank

FHB employees have stepped up to help more people struggling with today’s economic challenges through our employee-led Kokua Mai program and our Community Care volunteer program, which lifts up vulnerable keiki, at-risk youth, kupuna, and those facing mental or physical challenges. Since Kokua Mai’s inception in 2007, our employees and retirees have donated over $10 million to local non-profits, and gave $4.39 million to 200 charities in 2022 alone. It’s a heartwarming and reassuring trend to see people step up individually to help, and we’re excited to continue to build on this strong foundation for years to come. It all starts with yes!

 

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