Kauai United Way gets big boost

LIHUE — First Hawaiian Bank recently contributed $20,000 toward the Kauai United Way 2015 Annual Campaign, representing the bank’s corporate contribution.

“The campaign wraps up at the end of this month,” said Lynette Medrano-Stine, the KUW Campaign development director and community liaison. “The First Hawaiian Bank donation is in addition to the generous personal contributions of the bank’s management and staff, which averaged $132 per gift in the 2015 Annual Campaign.”

Medrano-Stine said payroll deduction makes it easy for workers to donate up into the range of hundreds of dollars, because small amounts are taken regularly from paychecks.

“Payroll deductions make it easy to be a community hero,” Medrano-Stine said.

Scott Giarman, the Kauai United Way executive director, said First Hawaiian Bank’s corporate donation is the second largest for Kauai United Way.

“This is a clear demonstration that First Hawaiian Bank truly cares about the Kauai community in a time when it is rare for a business to care about being a good corporate citizen,” Giarman said. “When you think about it, ensuring that robust social services are available on our island is an investment in the well-being of their Kauai employees and their customers. This is a statement that First Hawaiian Bank is here to stay.”

The First Hawaiian Bank contribution brings the campaign to 83 percent of its goal of $700,000.

Medrano-Stine said contributions made before the end of February will count toward the 2015 goal and can be done online through the Kauai United Way website.

Donors who do not have access to workplace payroll deductions are able to set up regular contributions at intervals which are convenient to them in any amount, large or small.

Kauai United Way is Kauai’s umbrella charitable organization. One contribution can help the entire island, as partner agencies offer dozens of social service programs that help tens of thousands of Kauai residents each year.