PO‘IPU — Matson Navigation, through its Nawiliwili Port Manager Ula Nakamura, presented the Kaua‘i United Way with an award of $7,500 on Thursday to help launch the 2024 Campaign during the kick off luncheon held at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa.
Tiffani Hull, the 2024 Campaign Chair, took time out of her podium appearance to do a selfie with the audience in the background because her family could not believe she is the campaign chair. She announced the goal for the 2024 Campaign at $600,000.
“Thank you, Matson,” said Kaua‘i United Way (KUW) Executive Director Lori Almarza. “But we still have a ways to go.”
Almarza said during her time at KUW, she learned from her mentors that the Kaua‘i United Way is like a good insurance policy — you might not need it today, but when you need it, it’s nice to know it’s available.
Celebrating its 80th anniversary, Kaua‘i United Way is an umbrella organization with agency partners who provide a variety of services, including disease prevention and health programs, disaster recovery and emergency services, rehabilitation services, youth services and family services.
Luncheon emcee Ron Wiley, who served as the previous year’s campaign chair, said the campaign raises money for partner agencies so they can, in turn, concentrate and focus on providing needed services.
The services were highlighted by the special luncheon speakers, including The Salvation Army, which provided the blessing. Other speakers represented Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mental Health Kokua and Catholic Charities.
Contributing to the campaign can be as simple as visiting the Kaua‘i United Way website, which contains information on the various services offered through its network of partner agencies, and then clicking on the “donate” button.
Another easy way of contributing is through the payroll deduction that can be arranged with the help of Lynette Medrano-Stine, the KUW campaign development director and community liaison.
Some of the major corporate donors beside Matson, include Costco Wholesale, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, known as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., Capt. Andy’s, First Hawaiian Bank and the Atherton Family Foundation.
Kaua‘i United Way, an independent, IRS-certified nonprofit, is dedicated to serving the social service needs of the entire island. Money raised on Kaua‘i stays on Kaua‘i.
For more information, visit the website www.kauaiunitedway.org.
