MEDIA RELEASE

Ten credit unions in the County of Hawai‘i have agreed to serve as collection points for the “Aloha for Japan” relief effort, joining in a statewide campaign by the largest banks in Hawai‘i to assist victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Mayor Billy Kenoi announced today.

“All of us have been saddened by the loss of life and terrible damage in Japan, and we all want to help,” Mayor Kenoi said. “I want to thank the credit unions in our community for stepping forward to join in this effort to assist the victims of this tragedy.”

Participating credit unions in the County of Hawai‘i include HFS Federal Credit Union; Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union; CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union; Hawai‘i County Employees Federal Credit Union; and Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union.

Also joining in the relief effort are the Independent Employers Group Federal Credit Union; North Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union; Ka‘u Federal Credit Union; Big Island Federal Credit Union; and Onomea Federal Credit Union.

“With such close ties between Hawai‘i and Japan, we are very happy to join in this collaborative effort of credit unions across the island to support our family, friends and all those in Japan suffering during this traumatic time,” said Bernard Balsis, president of the Independent Employers Group Federal Credit Union.

The credit unions are joining Hawai‘i business leaders, members of the Japanese community, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz and Japan Consul General Yoshihiko Kamo in a coordinated effort to collect monetary donations.

Banks that are volunteering as collection points for the relief effort include American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank, HomeStreet Bank, Pacific Rim Bank and Territorial Savings Bank. Those banks are providing almost 275 collection points statewide.

Checks should be made payable to “Aloha for Japan.” Donation checks can also be mailed to: Aloha for Japan, 2454 South Beretania Street, Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96826.