Realtors foundation launches food drive
The nonprofit Hawaii Realtors Charitable Foundation recently launched its second-annual #OneCanIfCan food drive to help support Hawaii food banks.
Nonperishable food items can be donated at dozens of locations statewide, as well as pop-up supermarket collection points, through Aug. 31. A complete list of locations is available at www.hawaiirealtors.com/fooddrive. Monetary donations will also be accepted. All donations will benefit their respective island food banks.
The Hawaii Realtors Charitable Foundation collected $14,000 in monetary donations and 3,700 pounds of nonperishable food items during its first-ever food drive in September and October 2020. This year the foundation hopes to provide tens of thousands of meals to island food banks, with a goal of collecting $50,000 and 8,000 pounds of food.
According to the Hawaii Foodbank, a donation of $10 helps provide food for 25 meals.
“The Hawaii Realtors Charitable Foundation recognizes the incredible strain our food banks are under during the COVID-19 pandemic as one in six Hawaii residents struggles with hunger,” said Moana Andersen, president of the foundation. “Even a small donation makes a big difference in helping feed families in need.”
The foundation, which launched in 2020 with a $50,000 donation to food banks throughout Hawaii, serves local communities by supporting charitable organizations and their efforts to assist those in need. The foundation is established by the statewide professional trade organization Hawaii Realtors.
HPM Foundation awards college scholarships
The HPM Foundation has awarded $1,000 and $750 college scholarships to five recent high school graduates and two Hawaii Community College students to help with upcoming college expenses and support student success.
“HPM is committed to developing our next generation of leaders in Hawaii,” Jason Fujimoto, president and CEO, HPM Building Supply said. “We’re proud that these scholarships will assist seven students pursuing their education here at home and look forward to being a small part of what they will accomplish in the future.”
Since 1973, the HPM Foundation has awarded the Barney S. Fujimoto Memorial Scholarship in memory of Barney S. Fujimoto, a second-generation leader of HPM Building Supply who held very strong convictions about the merits of higher education. Scholarship recipients receive $1,000 and are selected based on academic excellence and a history of strong community service, and must be enrolled full-time at a University of Hawaii System school.
This year’s recipients were:
• Miriam Mendoza Martinez who recently graduated from Konawaena High School on Hawaii Island and will be majoring in exploratory health sciences at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
• Marques Kahawaii recently graduated from Honokaa High School on Hawaii Island and will be majoring in astronomy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
• Cienna Abara who recently graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy on Oahu and will be majoring in exploratory business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
• Lorna De La Cruz who recently graduated from James Campbell High School on Oahu and will be majoring in education at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu.
• Aimee Lam recently who recently graduated from James B. Campbell High School on Oahu and will be majoring in liberal arts at Windward Community College.
The Building Future Builders’ Scholarship is given to two select students in the Hawaii Community College Carpentry program. Receiving a $750 scholarship for their second year in the program were Nicholas Lucas, who is attending carpentry program at Hawaii Community College, and Vallerina Sorcy, who is attending the carpentry program.