HONOLULU — Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank and the YWCA Kaua‘i Family Violence Shelter are three of the Kaua‘i recipients named in the announcement from AlohaCare that launches its newly named community giving program, Imua Loa, translated to mean “to go forward in health and well-being.”
Contributions of $300,000 will benefit 20 organizations throughout the state.
Eighteen organizations received donations of between $5,000 and $35,000 each to help meet essential and holiday needs of keiki to kupuna facing houselessness or food insecurity. Additionally, Special Olympics Hawai‘i received $25,000 for 2023 health-related programming and Waikiki Health was awarded a grant of $50,000 for its Emergency Room Diversion Program.
“As a safety net health plan, we consider giving back to our community a vital part of our mission, and through Imua Loa, we look forward to continue to uplift our community,” said AlohaCare CEO Francoise Culley-Trotman in the announcement.
“With this round of donations, our goal was to fund programs or activities that will brighten the holidays for those in need, particularly our keiki and kupuna.”
The Imua Loa program supports AlohaCare’s strategic goal of strengthening Hawai‘i’s health care safety net, and its new one-stop digital site — Imualoa.AlohaCare.org — provides a steamlined way to apply for funding.
The application portal for grants, sponsorships and charitable donations opens on Jan. 5, 2023. AlohaCare’s annual education scholarship applications will be available by Feb. 6.
Four island food banks, including Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, Maui Food Bank and The Food Basket on Hawai‘i Island are recipients of $95,000 in total.
“Imua Loa perfectly aligns with our vision of a healthier Hawai‘i,” said Culley-Trotman. “In tribute to the organization that gave us our name, we returned to the Wai‘ana‘e Coast Comprehensive Health Center’s Kupuna Council for their recommendations, and their wisdom.”
With Imua Loa, AlohaCare looks forward to continuing its tradition of assisting organizations to elevate the health of all who call Hawai‘i home. Applicants who may not be able to submit online applications will still have the opportunity to email or mail the required information to AlohaCare.
Since AlohaCare’s inception in 1994 as a community-led health plan, its kuleana has been caring for and helping Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable. The pandemic underscored the need to expand community partnerships in order to help achieve health equity.
• Info: Imualoa.AlohaCare.org, or email imualoa@alohacare.org
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
