HELCO Donates $5,000 to Hope Services for Kīlauea Response

A $5,000 donation from the Hawaiʻi Electric Light Company (HELCO) to Hope Services Hawaiʻi was presented on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, during the Pacific Risk Management ʻOhana (PRiMO) disaster management conference at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Following an update on the ongoing Kīlauea response, the nonprofit Hope Services was recognized for its efforts aiding displaced victims of the lava flow.

Jay Ignacio, president of Hawaiʻi Electric Light presented a donation to Brandee Menino, CEO of Hope Services Hawaiʻi in recognition of the nonprofit’s work to provide emergency shelter to residents displaced by the Kilauea eruptions. Courtesy photo.

“Hope Services has been instrumental in providing emergency shelter for residents of Lower Puna who lost their homes and in many cases, their livelihoods,” said Jay Ignacio, president of Hawaiʻi Electric Light and a PriMO conference speaker. “We applaud their work every day to help rebuild lives and strengthen the community, and to provide their services with compassion and respect for our community’s most vulnerable populations.”

Since the May 3 eruptions in Kīlauea volcano’s lower East Rift Zone began, residents of Leilani Estates, Lanipuna Gardens, Vacationland, Kapoho Beach Lots and the surrounding areas were forced to evacuate their homes as the lava forged a path to the ocean.

Community groups, county agencies and local businesses partnered with Hope Services to construct a micro-housing project on land leased by Hope Services from the Sacred Hearts Catholic Church in Pāhoa. In about a month, 20 “tiny” homes were built to provide temporary emergency housing.
In accepting the donation Brandee Menino, Hope Services CEO said, “Mahalo to Hawaiʻi Electric Light for their generosity and gift that will enable us to respond to those who most need our help in our community.”

Hope Services continues to provide housing assistance and financial assistance with rental deposits and rent for qualified displaced households. In addition, the nonprofit is continuing to provide temporary shelter and work on more micro-shelters.

To make a donation to Hope Services, visit online.