The Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel signed on to The Hoola Ohana: Building A Healthy Community Program in support of the Hawaii Island United Way. ADVERTISING The Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel signed on to The
The Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel signed on to The Hoola Ohana: Building A Healthy Community Program in support of the Hawaii Island United Way.
The program is inspired by Hotels That Care, a program available in many mainland states that gives hotel guests the opportunity to add a nominal fee to their bill that is then donated to the local United Way campaign.
“We have a huge sense of kuleana to our community and we are privileged to have a daily reminder — each time we look out at Ahuena Heiau — of the leadership of King Kamehameha and his legacy of providing for the people of Hawaii,” said general manager Jak Hu. “We aim to preserve that legacy.
“We chose to partner with the Hawaii Island United Way because of their many years of commitment to our island. They collaborate with nonprofit organizations to keep our community healthy and vibrant — a place where visitors from around the world want to come to relax and celebrate life.
“Our guests have been overwhelmingly supportive of our partnership and completely behind the project,” Hu continued. “I hope other businesses in our industry will also extend the opportunity for visitors to invest in the local community.”
Hawaii Island United Way President and CPO Jeanine Atebara said, “On behalf of our 40 nonprofit partner agencies, and the many families and individuals whose lives will be touched because of the generosity of the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and its guests, mahalo nui loa. We are so fortunate to have their partnership.
“Their gift will be reinvested to transform the lives of over 70 percent of the members in our community — from keiki to kupuna. The programs of our partner agencies enable us to realize our vision of a community where all individuals and families achieve their potential through education, income stability and healthy lives. We hope other hotels and resorts will follow their lead and be a part of our Hoola Ohana: Building A Healthy Community Program.”
Established in 1967, the Hawaii Island United Way is a volunteer driven organization that leads, supports and participates in collaborative, inclusive community efforts that build capacity and mobilize resources to improve lives and create positive, long term social change on Hawaii Island.
For more information, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.hiunitedway.org.
Big Island Visitors Bureau Executive Director Ross Birch also enthusiastically supports the project.
“The visitor industry has a tremendous impact on our island’s economy,” Birch said. “Hawaii Island United Way and their partner programs have created the most collaborative and comprehensive execution of health and human services for the most vulnerable members of our community. Investing in the well-being of our island contributes to a stable visitor industry. In the end, we all benefit. I would encourage all businesses who provide lodging to our visitors to be a part of the Hoola Ohana: Building A Healthy Community Program.”
