Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) announced in a press release yesterday, that employees of the Hawaiian Electric Companies, along with donations from American Savings Bank employees, are part of a $100,000 contribution from HEI to the American Cancer Society Hawai’i Pacific in support of Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi which is a temporary home for adult cancer patients seeking treatment on Oʻahu.
HEI’s president & CEO, Constance Lau, got the year-long fundraising campaigns started with a sizeable personal donation followed by the employee’s donations. All funds raised will support Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi which is scheduled to open in 2015.
“At some point in our lives, we have all been touched by cancer because of a loved one, friend or colleague,” said Cathy Alsup, director of regional major gifts with the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. “Through the support of HEI’s family of companies, Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi will make a huge difference in easing the stress and financial burden for neighbor island and rural Oʻahu patients so they can focus on getting well.”
Hawaiian Electric Industries is the parent company of American Savings Bank, Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawaiʻi Electric Light companies. “We are all one ‘ohana,” said Darcy Endo-Omoto, vice president of government and community affairs at Hawaiian Electric and ACS board member. “We heard stories from employees going through cancer treatments as well as employees with family members battling cancer, and it inspired us even more in our fundraising efforts for Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi.”
Last year, Hawaiian Electric Companies, partnered with Manuheali'i, a very popular Hawaiian fashion designs company and retail outlet to produce reusable shopping bags that featured an original kukui design. The kukui image is the symbol of Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi. The image and design represents hope and renewal for cancer patients and their families.
Employees, who generously made a donation to Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi, also received a shopping bag for their support. HEI Charitable Foundation matched proceeds from the donations made by the employees.
American Savings Bank selected Hope Lodge Hawai’i as one of its beneficiaries for the funds raised through Kahiau, which is ASB's annual employee giving program. Kahiau chose to support Hope Lodge Hawaii because of its mission to help cancer patients statewide, as well as providing support to all the communities in Hawaii served by ASB.
For more information about Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi or to make a donation, visit www.hopelodgehawaii.org.
Photo courtesy of HEI.
HEI $100,000 check presentation to Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi
(Left to right) Larry Rodriguez (ACS Cabinet Member), Dr. Bill Loui (ACS Board Member), Darcy
Endo-Omoto (ACS Board Member/Hawaiian Electric VP of Government and Community Affairs), Senator Roz
Baker (ACS Cabinet Member/Board Member), Cathy Alsup (ACS Director of Regional Major Gifts),Indru
Watumull (ACS Cabinet Member), Dick Rosenblum (Hawaiian Electric President and CEO), Constance Lau
(Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. President and CEO/ACS Cabinet Member), Dr. Larry Tseu (ACS Cabinet
Member/Board Member), Richard Wacker (ASB President and CEO).