LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami announced that Oct. 20 is International Credit Union Day, Thursday during a gathering of Kaua‘i credit unions that traditionally mark the event with a photo op and proclamation with the mayor at the Mo‘ikeha Building, Lihu‘e Civic Center.
But before the celebration of credit unions and the International Credit Unions’ theme of “Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union,” Mayor Kawakami took time to thank the credit unions for their help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kaua‘i’s credit unions assisted the county with several key initiatives during the pandemic, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, the State Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program, and helping the county with the County’s Small Business Boost Grant program to help Kaua‘i small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19.
“We were more than happy to help,” said Tess Shimabukuro, president of the Kaua‘i Chapter of the Hawai‘i Credit Union League, and the CEO of Gather Federal Credit Union. “Credit unions were built on the principle of ‘people helping people.’ We have seen that philosophy in action for more than 100 years, with credit unions providing access to affordable financial products and striving to meet the needs of underserved communities. Kaua‘i’s credit unions are honored to be a part of this proud tradition.”
On Oct. 20, Kaua‘i’s credit unions will join more than 56,000 credit unions around the world to celebrate International Credit Union Day and the theme of “Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union.
ICU Day highlights the many ways that credit unions around the globe help members improve their financial health and well-being.
Prior to COVID-19, credit unions planned festive gatherings where members, and prospective members, could meet the staff of the credit unions and learn of the many services available toward a better financial future.
These gatherings will, this year, be held to individual credit union gatherings out of an abundance of caution for the COVID-19 and threat of flu.
“We won’t be doing anything big, this year,” said Shane Corregedore of the Garden Island Federal Credit Union. “We used to have monthly coffee hours where members were invited to come in and learn more about credit unions and services. I miss having those. Hopefully, as things improve, we can do it, again.”
Members of Kaua‘i’s credit unions include the Garden Island Federal Credit Union, Gather Federal Credit Union, the Kaua‘i Federal Credit Union, the Kaua‘i Teachers Federal Credit Union, and McBryde Federal Credit Union.
Additionally, there is the Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union, and the Kekaha Credit Union with services provided by Aloha Pacific Federal Credit union.
