BOH Donates $2,500 to Help Puna Evacuees

(L–R) Roberta Chu, Bank of Hawaii Island manager and senior vice president; Shirley Dizon, (retired) vice chair, CCH Hawaii Island Advisory Board; David Kurohara, Hawaii Electric Light Co., Business and Community consultant; Elizabeth Murph, CCH Hawaii Island Community director; Keene Fujinaka, Bank of Hawaii’s East Hawaii Market manager and vice president. Courtesy photo.

The Catholic Charities Hawai’i’s Hilo Community Office recently received a $2,500 donation from the Bank of Hawai‘i Foundation to aid residents affected by the recent volcanic eruptions.

Since beginning its efforts in May to aid victims of the recent Kaua‘i floods and the ongoing Hawai‘i Island volcanic activity, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has received a $200,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to assist the victims of the flood disaster on Kaua‘i and grants of $252,000 from Hawaii Community Foundation and $120,000 from Catholic Charities USA to assist Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island.

On Hawai‘i Island, funds collected have gone to assist Puna residents who evacuated their homes due to the ongoing volcanic activity and related earthquakes. Funding support includes emergency home repairs, rental and utility assistance and other related needs. Other usage of the disaster emergency funds include stipends for food, clothing, supplies such as tents and beds, and bus tickets and gas to commute to work, medical treatments and other errands.

Affected residents seeking assistance can contact Catholic Charities’ Hilo office at (808) 961-7050. Those wishing to make a donation to the disaster relief efforts on Kaua‘i or Hawai‘i Island can go online or call (808) 527-4820.

About Catholic Charities Hawai‘i

Serving Hawai’i since 1947, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i offers assistance to people in need, regardless of faith and culture. Long trusted in the community for its innovative and professional approach to human services, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i provides much needed services through over 30 programs statewide. Catholic Charities Hawai‘i is fully accredited by the Council of Accreditation. They are a partner agency of the Aloha United Way and a member of the nationwide Catholic Charities USA organization. For more information, visit www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org.