Hawai’i Forest Institute Chosen to Receive the Mealoha Kraus People’s Choice Award

Hawai’i Life Celebrates Beloved Colleague, Awards HLCF Grant to Hawai’i Forest Institute in Kraus’ Honor

The Hawai’i Forest Institute on Hawai’i Island has been chosen to receive the Mealoha Kraus People’s Choice Award this year. The grant award in the amount of $10,000 from the Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund (HLCF) will support the nonprofit organization’s efforts to promote awareness of the intrinsic value of Hawaii’s forests to both the Hawaiian and global community. The mission of the Hawai’i Forest Institute is to promote the health and productivity of Hawaii’s forests through forest restoration, educational programs, information dissemination, and support for scientific research.

Photo courtesy of the Hawai’i Forest Institute

The Hawai’i Forest Institute is committed to connecting people of all ages to the diversity of Hawaii’s Forests, their history, the valuable cultural and environmental services they provide, and the challenges they face. Created by a group of volunteers, the Hawai’i Forest Institute was incorporated as a nonprofit organization by the Hawai’i Forest Industry Association in 2003.

From tropical Dryland Forest restoration to publication of the Hawai’i Forest Journal, the Hawai’i Forest Institute works with sponsors and partners like the Hawai‘i Life Charitable Fund to promote the health and productivity of Hawaii’s forests through a number of ongoing projects. 

Photo courtesy of the Hawai’i Forest Institute

The Mealoha Kraus People’s Choice Award was established to honor the memory of a beloved colleague. A Hawai’i Life real estate broker for many years, Mealoha lost her short, but fierce, battle with breast cancer in late 2019.

With a huge heart for giving back to her community, Mealoha dedicated nearly five years to serving her community as the first Board Chairperson of the Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund, beginning in 2014. Under her guidance and leadership, the HLCF fundraised to support charities statewide, donating more than $200,000 to Hawai’i charities in 2018, alone.

Each year, as part of the Hawai’i Love grant program, the Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund distributes $5,000 grants to four local charities. The charities are chosen by the HLCF Board of Directors through a grant application and careful consideration process. The board also puts forth some of the remaining applicants, asking Hawai’i Life agents and the general public to support their favorite island charities by selecting the grant recipient for the Mealoha Kraus People’s Choice Award.

“Last year, we awarded $10,000 in grants to two organizations per island,” said Linda Hussey, current Chair of the HLCF Board of Directors. “Normally we award $5,000, one grant per island, but with the 100% Club Program, we are hoping to have more contributions by agents and be able to keep up the higher grant amounts.”

Photo by Dr. J.B. Friday via Hawai’i Forest Institute

The Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund grants are disbursed annually, so stay tuned and follow the HLCF and Hawaii Life on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about next year’s application dates and deadlines.

Donations to the Hawai’i Forest Institute can be made here.

Donations to the HLCF at the Hawai’i Community Foundation to support future grants like these can be made here.

The Hawai’i Life Charitable Fund is supported primarily through the generosity of our 350+ agents and approximately 50 employees statewide.