Over 200 enthusiastic and passionately motivated First Hawaiian Bank employees and their family of supporters who generously volunteered their time this past Saturday, February 24 to help plant several varieties of Hawaiian plants and shrubs around the Kahuaiki Village grounds in Kalihi. Kahauiki Village is the new home to 30 former homeless families on Oahu.
Kahauiki Village founder and organizer Duane Kurisu welcomed the largest group of volunteers to the Kahauiki Village property early Saturday morning and was appreciative for their support and the heart and soul spirit that they represented and brought with them to the workday.
“This is the largest group of volunteers that we’ve ever had,” said Kurisu. “It’s touching to see them here with enthusiasm and I’ve talked to some of them and they’ve told me that this project touches their hearts. They’re here for a bigger reason and it makes all of us here feel proud for the bank. “
The workday was part of FHB’s Community Care Program that gives back to the community through volunteer projects that partner with other organizations throughout the year to assist those in need in Hawaii. Eric Yeaman, President and COO of First Hawaiian Bank led the large group of volunteers who jumped at the chance to sign up for Saturday’s FHB Community Care workday.
“This Is really part of our Community Care Program and we do a number of different events a year”, said Yeaman. “This one was really special just because of what it’s about, trying to address a really big need in the community. And when we asked people to sign up, we actually had 150 people sign up in less than a week. We actually had to turn people away. So today we’re expecting a near 200, and really our goal is to just lend our hand to the many hands that have already contributed to making this possible. Through Community Care, every year we try to organize with different organizations things that are in need in the community and we gather our employees to fill that need. You know, we never have a problem of filling the spots. We have the opposite problem having to turn people away at every single one. For us it’s really a testament to our spirit of giving. We’re going to celebrate 160 years this year as an organization, and we have 160 years of giving to the community. We want to thank Duane Kurisu for his vision and pulling everybody together, and also for giving us the opportunity to contribute at this special place.”
Mahalo to the awesome First Hawaiian Bank community volunteer ohana who worked hard on Saturday to accomplish their workday objective of planting and creating a tropical Hawaiian garden landscape throughout the village that will soon flourish while being embraced, enjoyed,and appreciated by Kahauiki Village residents and their ohana.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Duane Kurisu, founder, organizer, Kahauiki Village (L) and Eric Yeaman, President,COO,
First Hawaiian Bank (R) are pictured at Kahauiki Village on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pictured from L-R: Alex Tamai, Christin Paredes, Kirk Hovious, Eric Yeaman, Duane Kurisu.
LEADERSHIP THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
COMMUNITY CARE VOLUNTEERS
FHB's HEART & SOUL OF GIVING BACK TO THOSE IN NEED
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kahauiki Village residents helped out on Saturday to install native Hawaiian plants
and shrubs in front of their homes. The residents are pictured with First Hawaiian Bank
Community Care volunteers and Duane Kurisu, Kahauiki Village founder and organizer.