PUHI — Representatives from 26 organizations on Kaua’i filled the living room at Gaylord’s Restaurant at Kilohana Plantation in Puhi, recipients of Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund grants for 2005. Ruth Knudsen Hanner always felt blessed to grow up in
PUHI — Representatives from 26 organizations on Kaua’i filled the living room at Gaylord’s Restaurant at Kilohana Plantation in Puhi, recipients of Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund grants for 2005.
Ruth Knudsen Hanner always felt blessed to grow up in Waiawa (near Koloa), and her love for Kaua’i was borne from her grandmother, Annie Sinclair Knudsen, who arrived in Hawai’i in 1863.
Trained as a teacher, Annie Sinclair Knudsen became a social worker, and established the first social services for Kaua’i residents. Annie Sinclair Knudsen was devoted to the needs of Native Hawaiians.
Hanner created the Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund to honor her grandmother through the Hawai’i Community Foundation in 1987.
This permanent memorial represents their shared love for Kaua’i, and will serve into perpetuity as a legacy to the people of Kaua’i, according to officials with the Hawai’i Community Foundation (HCF).
Deborah Rice of HCF, who served as the mistress of ceremony for the program, applauded representatives of each of the organizations, noting, “everyone here helps with the family’s legacy.” Sonia Topenio, who along with Tad Miura Jr. and Myles Shibata serves on the Advisory Committee, said that, as an individual who was born and raised on the island, she is passionate about Kaua’i, adding, “We’re fortunate to have this (memorial fund). I applaud you all for your sustainability.” Miura also congratulated leaders of each of the recipient organizations, noting that they demonstrate a saying he remembers, “Aloha; it’s Kaua’i’s spirit.” He commended members of the groups on their ability to “gather together to make this island a better place.” The Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund trustees and advisory committee members support projects and programs that benefit the people, flora, fauna, and charitable organizations on the island of Kaua’i.
Additionally, the HCF Social Capital and Organizational Capacity Building Initiatives are supported on Kaua’i.
This fund supports projects and programs that strengthen nonprofit organizations and support community members working together to make Kaua’i a special place.
Recipients include representatives of the American Cancer Society; the American Lung Association; the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai’i, represented by Kaua’i coordinator William Trugillo, who recently hosted a successful Waimea Clubhouse Halloween celebration for Boys & Girls clubhouses in Waimea, Kapa’a, and Lihu’e; The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Hawai’i; Easter Seals Hawai’i; Good Beginnings Alliance; Hawai’i Filipino Centennial Committee, represented by Oscar Portugal, who noted that the grant will make possible the appearance of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric group for Kaua’i residents; The Hawai’i Nature Center; Ho’opulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill; Honolulu Theater for Youth; Island School; the Kauai All Girl Rodeo Association; Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum, with Acting Executive Director Susan Little accepting their gift; The Kaua’i Concert Association, represented by Vickie Goldberg and Joanne Nakashima; Kaua’i Hospice; Kaua’i Planning & Action Alliance Trash Busters; and K.I.D.S. Preschool (Kauai Independent Daycare Services, Inc.); Leadership Kaua’i; National Tropical Botanical Garden; Papa Lauae o Makana, Inc. for their Malama Kalihiwai program; The Storybook Theatre of Hawaii; the Episcopal Church/St. Michael & All Angels’; Kaua’i Humane Society; The Nature Conservancy; The Salvation Army, for their mobile canteen and emergency command center that Capt. Mitham Clement said is coming along in becoming street legal; the Wilcox Health Foundation; and the YWCA.
The Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund is an endowment fund administered through the Hawai’i Community Foundation. HCF is a statewide, charitable- services and grant-making institution endowed with contributions from many donors.
Additionally, HCF serves as a resource on community issues and trends.
Charlie King, chairman of the HCF Kaua’i Leadership Council, commended Nani Larson for her 10 years of service with HCF.
The HCF was founded in 1916 with a mission to help people make a difference by inspiring the spirit of giving, and by investing in people and solutions to benefit every island community.
