Give Big Hawai‘i: Your Support Matters!

Heading into its fifth year, Give Big Hawai‘i gives donors near and far a simple, streamlined way to support the causes closest to their hearts with our online giving portal, givebighawaii.com. Last year, more than 1,700 supporters came together to donate $243,000 to local charities that support all members of our community, including keiki, kūpuna and pets. Here’s how some of the nonprofits spent those dollars.

Want to help? This year’s website goes live on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, and will be open through the end of the year.

Photo: Courtesy of Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i

Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i

Everyone deserves a great future, and Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i has made it its mission to give all young people the resources they need to reach their full potential. Its clubhouses and centers, located on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, are safe spaces that offer keiki and teens everything from a balanced meal to homework help to a compassionate ear. Last year, supporters from across the country donated $8,000 to the nonprofit, which helped to fund its after-school efforts, especially its food programs that provide much needed nourishment to families during the holidays. bgch.com

Photo: Habitat For Humanity Maui

Habitat for Humanity Maui

Habitat for Humanity Maui believes that everyone deserves a place to call their own. The all-volunteer organization fights housing insecurity on the state’s third-most populous island by building houses, then selling them to low-income families for no profit, at zero interest. The donations it received last year through Give Big Hawai‘i, which totaled nearly $7,500, were used to help build new homes and make safety repairs and retrofits for struggling homeowners. habitat-maui.org

Photo: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Founded upon the values of our Islands’ Issei generation, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s mission is to preserve, honor and share the evolving Japanese American experience for Hawai‘i’s current and future generations. The more than $17,000 raised last year through Give Big Hawai‘i was used to create more opportunities to connect keiki with their heritage. This includes Tanoshii Hawai‘i, a new cultural summer camp that offered activities including taiko, bon dancing, gyotaku, mochi making and kendo this past June. jcchawaii.org

Photo: Waolani Judd Nazarene School

Waolani Judd Nazarene School

It takes a village to raise a child, and nonprofit Waolani Judd Nazarene School is committed to providing O‘ahu’s keiki a quality private school education that builds character and celebrates Hawai‘i’s diverse culture. Donations to the school, including the $6,300 received from the 2022 Give Big Hawai‘i campaign, were used to begin renovations on a brand-new playground, which, when finished, will feature an innovative new play structure, shade and seating for its young students. wjns.org