Categorized | Business

Kona hotel continues United Way legacy

General Manager Jak Hu of the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel and President and CPO Jeanine Atebara of the Hawaii Island United Way celebrate the launch of the Hoola Ohana: Building A Healthy Community program. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

General Manager Jak Hu of the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and President and CPO Jeanine Atebara of the Hawaii Island United Way celebrate the launch of the Hoola Ohana: Building A Healthy Community program. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7)

MEDIA RELEASE

It is said that the last words of King Kamehameha I were, “E oni wale no oukou i kuu pono aole e pau”. (Translation: Continue the good work that I have done, for it is not yet finished.)

True to the wishes of King Kamehameha, for whom the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is named, General Manager Jak Hu has stepped up and created a unique partnership with the Hawaii Island United Way.

“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,” Hu said. “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 non-profit 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 been overwhelmingly supportive of our partnership and completely behind the project. I hope other businesses in our industry will also extend the opportunity for visitors to invest in the local community.”

Big Island Visitors Bureau Executive Director, Ross Birch, also supports the project.

“The visitor industry has a tremendous impact on our island’s economy. 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.” Birch said. “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.”

The Hoola Ohana: Building A Healthy Community Program is inspired by Hotels That Care, a program available in many mainland states. Guests are given the opportunity to add a nominal fee to their bill that is then donated to Hawaii Island United Way.

Hawaii Island United Way President and CPO, Jeanine Atebara says, “On behalf of our 40 non-profit 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% 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 which build capacity and mobilize resources to improve lives and create positive, long term social change on Hawaii Island.

— Find out more:
www.hiunitedway.org

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