David Y. Ige

(Honolulu) – Helping Hands Hawai‘i is not just the name of a local non-profit organization, it embodies the giving spirit that our island state is famous for, particularly in great times of need, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. With unemployment soaring, businesses shuttering their doors and government and community resources being stretched to their limits, many of Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable and underserved populations are most in need of helping hands.

To support the opening of the Ka‘aahi emergency shelter in Iwilei, Helping Hands Hawai‘i is donating flat sheets, blankets, pillows, kitchenware, coffee cups, chairs and soap to equip the 26 units that will be available to families in need, homeless individuals or people who contract the coronavirus and have no other housing. The shelter has 18 three-bedroom units and 8 two-bedroom units capable of housing up to 52 people.

Helping Hands Hawai‘i President and CEO Susan Furuta said, “Providing household items is a small way we can help out during this crisis. We hope other organizations and people community-wide will also think about how they might donate time, talent or goods to help the growing numbers of people in need, and then reach out to offer their support.”

# # #

 

Media Contact:

Dan Dennison
Lead Public Information Officer
Hawai‘i COVID-19 Joint Information Center
(808) 354-4263
[email protected]