As we head into Thanksgiving in this very challenging year, we wanted to take a moment to give thanks to our communities for supporting us, our clients for working with us, to our neighbors for helping to keep our islands safe, and to our entire team of dedicated employees around the state. We also want to express heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteer board members of the HLCF and the many generous donors who help to make the fund active in our communities.
We also wanted to talk a little bit about giving. We know that many Hawaii residents have been hit hard financially by the pandemic. Tourism is the lifeblood of Hawaii’s economy and it has come to a virtual standstill in 2020, causing significant financial hardship to many Hawai‘i families.
Giving Thanks & Sharing Aloha
The practice of reciprocation is deeply ingrained in our island communities because we rely so heavily on one another in modern times, and historically, too. It’s one of the most cherished parts of life in Hawaii. Sharing aloha is a time-honored way of giving thanks and showing gratitude.
Here in Hawaii, when the banana, mango, or papaya tree in your yard bears fruit, it’s customary to share some with your neighbors. When they make banana bread or mango muffins with that fruit, they’ll often stop by to share some with you, in turn. Usually over some conversation.
How To Give on GivingTuesday
GivingTuesday will be celebrated on December 1st this year. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. If you are in a position to help, we encourage you to support community efforts taking place across the state. It’s not all about making monetary donations, though many local nonprofits serving our communities need your financial support now more than ever before.
There are many ways to give thanks and share aloha this Thanksgiving, on GivingTuesday, and throughout the holiday season. We took a page from the GivingTuesday website and compiled some ways to share aloha this GivingTuesday and beyond.
Give Dollars – Donations are the easiest and safest way to help your community. You can stay safe, stay home, and donate online or by check. The Hawaii Community Foundation website showcases hundreds of worthy non-profit organizations that could use your support this year. Honolulu Magazine has launched Give Big Hawaii, a #GivingTuesday fundraising initiative for participating local charities. You may also donate to the Hawaii Life Charitable Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation.
Give Goods – Island food banks are having to purchase more food than ever before. Donate canned or dried goods to help ease the enormous burden the pandemic has brought to local families. There are virtual food drives and food distribution sites across the islands. Learn more here:
- Oahu – Hawaii Food Bank
- Maui – Maui Food Bank
- Big Island – Hawaii Food Basket
- Kauai – Kauai Food Bank
Give Time – Time is precious and this year has made that very clear to all of us. Giving of your time by volunteering can make an enormous impact on your community members. You might meet new people, get out of the house (safely!), and learn about important issues faced by those in your neighborhood. You can help out at your local food bank, shelters, or at pop-up community initiatives like the Give and Go Community Meal Program launched by Chef Hui earlier this year.
Give Voice – In this election year, I’m sure we’ve all been called upon to give voice to what matters most to us. Activism has never been more …active! With passion and purpose, you can lend your voice to causes dear to your heart, and advocate for those in our community who need you to speak up for them.
Give Aloha – Okay, we are all practiced at this one. “Paying it forward” can be an enormous catalyst for change… a stone in a pond that causes a ripple effect. Try reaching out to a neighbor to make sure they are okay this holiday season, or text someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. It can have a meaningful impact in a year when we all may feel a little isolated.
Give Talent – Many local nonprofits operate on tight budgets and can’t afford full-time staffers for every need they have. If you have skills in marketing, communications, web design, fundraising, event planning or graphic design, then consider lending your skills to a Hawaii charity this year. If you’re a rad surfer who wants to share your passion, AccesSurf needs you!
Give Together – GivingTuesday is a global initiative designed to unite and inspire communities around the world. Connect with your sphere of influence in a social media live streaming session, a Zoom call, or make a group effort to support local causes. While we may be socially distanced, you can connect with friends to write cards and notes of encouragement for hospital workers stretched by the pandemic. Join one of the many GivingTuesday cause- or issued-based groups here or start your own here in Hawaii.
Share Why You Give – Share your story on social media about why you give on GivingTuesday and inspire others to do the same. Help spread the word about GivingTuesday with the organization’s Social Media Toolkit, Instagram stickers, and Facebook frame.
Hawaii Life Donates $15,000 to the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust
Throughout this page, we’ve shared links to stories about some of the causes and local charities served by grant funding from the Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund. As a company, Hawaii Life recently donated $15,000 to the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (HILT) as one of the founding members of this statewide organization. HILT’s mission is to protect and steward the lands that sustain us — in perpetuity. HILT takes a uniquely holistic approach to land conservation.
As a real estate company, it may seem odd that we are committed to land conservation, but Hawaii Life has made a multi-year commitment to HILT to protect the very special places that make Hawaii so remarkable, appealing, and distinctive. We live here, too, and we want to make sure those places are protected for future generations to enjoy.
Recent Articles About the HLCF:
Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund Grant Supports HOPE Services Hawai‘i
AccesSurf Chosen to Receive the Mealoha Kraus People’s Choice Award
HLCF Grant Supports RYSE, A Kailua Nonprofit Serving Youth and Young Families
Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund Awards Grants to Four Local Charities
HLCF Participates in Chocolate Laulima – A Community Giveback Program
Volunteers Help Chef Hui Deliver 15,000+ Meals & Support Local Restaurants
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