HONOLULU — First Hawaiian Bank announced that bank employees and retirees gave over $875,000 to 32 charities in Hawai‘i, Guam and Saipan as part of the bank’s annual Kokua Mai campaign.
The giving program allows employees to contribute to causes and charities that are personally meaningful to them.
Established in 2007, employees and retirees have donated over $9.5 million through Kokua Mai in support of thousands of people who receive assistance through nonprofit organizations that are a part of the program.
Although gathering for activities was curtailed this year due to COVID-19 safety precautions, employees remained committed to helping local nonprofit agencies as they struggled to keep up with community demands, particularly the needs of vulnerable kupuna and keiki as well as the growing number of hungry families.
Fully 98% of the bank’s employees participated with financial donations in 2020.
“Our Kokua Mai campaign was a tremendous success,” said Bob Harrison, FHB chairman, president and CEO.
”Not only did our team members step up to donate, but they went above and beyond our expectations. They truly demonstrated that the bank’s culture of caring is at the core of who we are as they selflessly donated to nonprofits that are helping to meet the needs of our community as the pandemic continues to affect us all,” said Harrison.
“I am very proud of our ‘ohana and their dedication to strengthening our communities.”
The program is run completely by employees, and the bank covers all program costs so that 100% of every employee contribution goes to their local charity of choice in the communities FHB serves.
The program includes a variety of activities to encourage employees to donate to their favorite charities, from baked goods and book sales to online auctions.
In 2020, Kokua Mai ran from Oct. 13 through Nov. 13, and benefited the organizations that focus on health, education, self-sufficiency and life-sustaining services.
