First Hawaiian Bank & Employees Committ $2.5M to Hawaii Charities For 2011

Image courtesy of First Hawaiian Bank

By Sonia Isotov

On Maui and Lanai, Imua Family Services is among the beneficiaries of more than $2.5 million in donations committed by First Hawaiian Bank and its employees for 2011.

“For the 12 months ended December 2010, First Hawaiian and its employees donated in excess of $2.5 million to over 400 local charities.  We are also committed to match that figure in 2011,” stated Don Horner, First Hawaiian Bank chairman and chief executive officer.

“I am especially proud of our employees who individually contributed over 20% of our total giving.  This year, 94% of First Hawaiian Bank employees participated, up from 91% last year, in Kokua Mai, the bank’s annual employee giving campaign.  The bank’s Kokua Mai campaign raised over $560,000 in proceeds for our community non-profits.  The balance of the funding donation will be provided by the bank and its foundation.”

First Hawaiian Bank administers the employee campaign with 100 percent of the donations going directly to local charities.  Since the program’s inception in 2007, bank employees have donated nearly $2.5 million for charities in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan.  “Our employees are sincerely committed to their communities and also volunteer their time and talents at non-profits throughout the year,” said Horner.

“During these tough economic times, when residents can be hard pressed to contribute to charity, it’s gratifying to have a company like First Hawaiian Bank and its employees exhibit such leadership and generosity,” Lynn Brown, executive director, Make-A-Wish Foundation Hawaii. “The money raised will help us fulfill more wishes to deserving Hawaii keiki.”

“We are thankful to the First Hawaiian Bank employees who supported Imua Family Services through the Kokua Mai program.  Their donations make it possible for children with developmental disabilities and delays on the islands of Maui and Lanai, to receive the vital services they need to reach their full potential in life,” said Karen L. Jayne, executive director, Imua Family Services.

“First Hawaiian Bank’s generosity and Spirit of Aloha is greatly appreciated during these challenging times and will go a long way to help people in need right here in Hawaii, ” said Jerry Rauckhorst, Catholic Charities Hawaii president and executive officer.