Hawaiian Telcom donates $17.33K to support Hui No’eau

As part of the company’s annual ArtsWave campaign, Hawaiian Telcom and its employees statewide have donated $52,000 to three local nonprofit organizations dedicated to the arts in Hawai‘i.

The three beneficiaries — selected by Hawaiian Telcom employees — include the Estria Foundation, Maui’s Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center and the Na Maka O Pu’uwai (“Descendants of generosity”) Aloha Foundation on O‘ahu. Each received a donation of $17,333.

“The arts in Hawai’i, especially nonprofit organizations, are still recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Maui wildfires,” said Hawaiian Telcom President Su Shin. “This financial support helps these valuable nonprofits to continue rebuilding and creates a more vibrant economy and connected community for all.”

Through the Hui’s Art with Aloha cultural program, virtual art classes and free Keiki art kits, the organization has provided mental health relief for those still recovering from recent tragedies.

“Thanks to the tremendous generosity of Hawaiian Telcom and its employees, the Hui can continue to bring quality visual arts education and opportunities to more than 20,000 individuals each year, especially to those who truly need it most, including more than 8,000 Maui County keiki,” said Anne-Marie Forsythe, executive director of Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center.

Other beneficiaries

The donation to Estria Foundation will support their beautification of public spaces efforts statewide. The nonprofit tailors to Title I schools and their students, imploring murals while teaching cultural importance, mediation and creative collaboration to keiki and at-risk youth.

“The awesome donation from Hawaiian Telcom allows us to continue serving Hawai‘i’s keiki with much needed cultural arts programming,” said Estria Miyashiro, co-founder and executive director of Estria Foundation. “These unrestricted funds allow us to cover the parts of our operations that are not covered by grants, and we are so very grateful.”

Another recipient, O‘ahu nonprofit Na Maka O Pu’uwai (“Descendants of generosity”) Aloha Foundation, teaches and perpetuates Hawaiian culture and language through music and dance.

“Words cannot express how humbled and honored we are to receive this generous makana (gift),” said Mandi Scott, kumu and director of Nā Maka O Pu’uwai Aloha. “We will continue to share our culture through music, dance, and by spreading the aloha spirit to our keiki and our community. May our blessings be a blessing for others – mahalo!”