Maui Nonprofit Chosen in Statewide Charity Drive

Maui nonprofit Mālama Family Recovery Center received a donation of more than $5,000 from the Hawaiiana Management Company for providing holistic substance abuse treatment to women and children.

Members of the Hawaiiana Management Company Maui office Massy Cashen, Doug Lefler, Carol Gentz, Steve Chopek and Penny Munroe with Mālama Clinical Director Dr. Lisa Ponichtera at the treatment center’s therapeutic living facility. PC: HMC.

Mālama Family Recovery Center is the only treatment center on Maui where babies and young children can live with their mothers while they seek help and treatment.

The Maui nonprofit and Oʻahu-based nonprofit Ke Kama Pono were chosen for Hawaiiana’s 4th quarter 2018 charity drive that took place between Sept. 4 and Dec. 14, 2018.

“We chose Mālama Family Recovery Center because it is Maui’s only women-specific addiction and substance abuse treatment center,” said Steve Chopek, Management Executive in Hawaiiana’s Maui office and the employee who nominated Mālama during the selection process. “Many of our friends, neighbors and ʻohana are affected by mental health and substance abuse, so helping Mālama support women as they recover and create positive change for their families is incredibly important to us.”

During that time, employees at Hawaiiana offices across the state had a chance to contribute by participating in themed “dress up days,” such as a sports day, Halloween day and holiday spirit day. For every person who dressed up, Hawaiiana donated $5 to the charity drive. Employees also participated by donating $25 in exchange for chances to win a free paid-time-off day or a staycation at the Marriott. The Oʻahu office also sold bento boxes to help raise funds.

Members of the Hawaiiana Maui office participating in the sports theme “dress-up day” last fall to help raise funds. PC: HMC.

In addition to Mālama and Ke Kama Pono, Hawaiiana also raised money in 2018 to support recovery and relief efforts for the floods on Kauaʻi and volcano eruptions on the Big Island.

“It is inspiring and touching to see a company and its employees engage in such a state-wide, team effort to make a positive difference,” said Dr. Lisa Ponichtera, Mālama Clinical Director. “We are deeply grateful and honored by this outpouring of support for the women, children and families we serve.”

Hawaiiana Management Company, established in 1964, is the largest property management company in Hawaiʻi, managing more than 700 residential, commercial and resort associations across the state.  In 2018, Hawaiiana was awarded the Corporate and Social Responsibility Award by the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the Institute for Real Estate Management.