Kuʻikahi Mediation Center to continue building bridges across the community

Kuʻikahi Mediation Center, a nonprofit organization that provides mediation services between parties and offers workshops to promote peace within the community, raised nearly $60,000 for its efforts on Hawaiʻi Island.

The annual Recognition Dinner & Auction has been a significant source of funding for Kuʻikahi, enabling it to provide free and low-cost dispute prevention and resolution services in East Hawaiʻi for nearly two decades.

This year, Dr. Lynda Dolan and Jeri Gertz were each presented with the “Peacemaker Award” by Kuʻikahi Mediation Center. Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald received the “Meritorious Service Award” from the Hawaiʻi County Bar Association.

“We had a great evening celebrating these amazing community contributors,” said Kuʻikahi Executive Director Julie Mitchell. “We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, talents, and treasures to make this 20th annual fundraiser the most successful ever.”

The local nonprofit’s mission is to empower people to come together—to talk, to listen, to explore options, and to find their own best solutions. To achieve this mission, Kuʻikahi offers mediation, facilitation, and training to strengthen the ability of diverse individuals and groups to resolve interpersonal conflicts and community issues.

“In this time of political polarization, widespread online incivility, and decreased face-to-face communication, being able to build bridges instead of walls is more important than ever,” said Mitchell.

To learn more about its services or to make a donation, visit the Kuʻikahi Mediation Center website, or call 808-935-7844.