Outreach is ramping up due to recent Kona Low storms in March 2026 caused widespread flooding across Hawaiʻi, creating urgent needs in our school communities. Many students and their families have been significantly impacted—displaced from their homes and facing ongoing hardship. We are working diligently to provide timely and meaningful relief.

The Assistance League of Hawaiʻi has partnered with the Department of Education’s (DOE) Community Engagement Branch, which works directly with students and families. Through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students experiencing homelessness—including those displaced by the Kona Low flooding—are eligible for support. This federal law broadly defines homelessness to include individuals lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in shared housing due to hardship, motels, shelters, or other temporary situations.

Statewide DOE liaisons are on the front lines, identifying students who have lost essential belongings or are facing new barriers, including transportation challenges. To respond effectively to these diverse and immediate needs, the following items are in high demand:

• Hygiene supplies (soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products)
• Essential items such as clothing, school supplies, and temporary storage containers (e.g., ice chests for use in temporary housing)
• Emergency items as needed arise

Funding these needs presents a challenge. Many of these items cannot be purchased using state or federal funds, making nonprofit support critical. While the Assistance League of Hawaiʻi maintains an annual budget for one-time emergencies, the scale of this disaster exceeds those resources.

In response, the Board has approved earmarking recent donations specifically for this effort. Our total initial budget for expenditures is $9000.00.  We anticipate participating with the DOE for multiple years.  Should others wish to support this initiative to help students and families affected by the March flooding in Hawaii, all contributions will be directed to a designated fund as we continue our collaboration with DOE community engagement liaisons to meet the evolving needs of affected students and families. We anticipate participating with the DOE for multiple years, as we did with the Lahaina Fires a couple of years ago.

OUTREACH PAGE

Starting at 7:00 a.m. at Ala Moana Beach Park – Magic Island, this beloved tradition brings the community together for a morning of music, fellowship, and some of the best food you’ll find at any fundraiser.

For those looking for a lighter stroll, a shorter walk option begins at 7:30 a.m.

Why Your Participation Matters

The Charity Walk is Hawaii’s largest single-day non-profit fundraising event. Most importantly the funds raised by our team are returned to Assistance League of Hawaii, bolstered by an additional matching gift from the Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation.

Our goal this year is to have 25 to 50 walkers. You can sponsor a student walker for $25.00 or an adult for $50.00.

How to Join or Donate

The Charity Walk organizers have made it easier than ever to support our mission. You can jump directly to our team page to register or donate by scanning our QR code on the flyer below or by visiting the Web Donation Page.

If you prefer to donate via cash or check, printable walker forms and liability waivers are available at charitywalkhawaii.org.

Thanks to Linda McColgan for all the wonderful photos you see here in a special layout.

DAYS 3 & 4

DAY 2

DAY 1

20% of proceeds from the Red Hibiscus Ornament will benefit Assistance League® of Hawaii.

Take home a memento that’s extra meaningful.

JANUARY 2, 2026 UPDATE

Balsam Hill’s Generosity Extended Through March

Balsam Hill Studios is graciously offering 20% from sales of the Hibiscus ornament to Assistance League through March. If you haven’t been to the store yet, it is located at Ala Moana shopping center, a few shops away from the Center Stage. Their beautiful hand crafted ornaments are designed with Hawaii in mind. They can be displayed year round and are meaningful gifts. Thank you, Balsam Hill Studios, for your generosity.

OCTOBER 29, 2025 UPDATE

Learn the Fine Art of Christmas Tree Decorating at Balsam Hill Studio

Get into the holiday spirit and join us for a tree decorating class at the Balsam Hill Studios, in Ala Moana Center on November 16th from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Open to Assistance League guests and friends. Light refreshments will be served.

Please let Mary Li know if you will would like to attend this class.

Balsam Hill Studios is also offering a chance for patrons to win an Alpine Fir Christmas tree with a purchase of the red hibiscus benefit ornament (shown above). Contact Mary Li for more details. Click on the blue highlighted text above.

Get ready to give back! Assistance League of Hawaii is thrilled to announce its participation in the annual Give Aloha campaign, a community-focused partnership with Foodland Super Market.

Throughout September, shoppers across the state can support Assistance League of Hawaii’s vital programs, with Foodland matching a portion of each donation.

Foodland’s Give Aloha campaign offers a wonderful opportunity for the members and the community to help the Assistance League of Hawaii continue its mission of transforming the lives of keiki and families in need.

It’s easier than ever to give!

From now until September 30, you can donate at any Foodland, Sack N Save, or Foodland Farms location statewide. Simply use the Assistance League of Hawaii’s unique code, 77759, when you check out with your Maika’i Card.

Donations of any size make a huge impact and can be made in a few simple ways:

• Round up your purchase.
  Donate spare change.
  Redeem 250 Maika’i points for a $5 donation.
  Make a monetary donation up to $249.
  Purchase exclusive Give Aloha merchandise designed by artist Suzanne Jennerich.

Every contribution is a step toward creating a brighter future for our community, and with Foodland’s matching portion, your generous gift will go even further. Join the Assistance League of Hawaii and Foodland in this powerful campaign to give with aloha!

The program segment, filmed at Assistance League of Hawaii’s Thrift Shop and at an Operation Wildlife (OWL) presentation at Palisades Elementary School, showcased the organization’s mission of giving back to the community, especially underserved children.

Run entirely by volunteers, with over 100 members, Assistance League of Hawaii is always looking for more volunteers and donations.

You can watch the premiere of Elevate 808 on YouTube: Elevate 808 Premiere

The elected officers are: President Gloria McGehee-Koe, President-elect Linda McColgan, Vice President Helen Taufa’asau, Treasurer Linda Tsark, Secretary Allison Shinn-Yuen, Education Trish Kiladis, Finance Andrea Cyriacks, Marketing/Communications Linda McColgan, Resource Development Mary Li, Philanthropic Programs Hazel Sumile, Strategic Planning Cathy Kissel, and Thrift Shop Nancy Sparacino.

Information about our board members and appointed officers can be found at these links:

Board of Directors Page 

Assistance League of Hawaii also presented year-end awards:

Martha Taylor Frensley Award (Service above and beyond): Betty Parinas, (photo above) recognized for her extensive work with the zoo and OWL – a true walking Discovery Channel!

Ada Edwards Laughlin Award (Unsung Hero): Jim McClelland, for his invaluable and wide-ranging support.

Kolea Award (Snowbird): Gail Waite, who keeps busy beyond the beach!

Congratulations to all!

Board of Directors, 2025 – 2026

Free lunch is provided by Kyo-ya Ohana at the end of the walk, along with free snacks and drinks that are available along the route. It is a 5.2 mile route from Magic Island through Waikiki.

Assistance League’s team this year will include the youth group from “On Time R.E.A.C.H.” Mahalo to Lorna Motas who is coordinating the sponsored walkers.

R.E.A.C.H. represents the “process” that youth will go through

Revive – Revive you to get excited for living life with purpose

Equip – Equip you with the tools to succeed and develop your character

Activate – Activate your gifts & talents to apply what you have learned

Community – Restoration of community and family through serving & giving back

Hope – To give hope for positive change and strive to continue reaching the community

The deadline to get your check to Assistance League of Hawaii is April 30th. You can also donate online to the links provided below.

If you choose to walk and haven’t registered by the deadline, you can register on May 3rd at the Charity Walk. Assistance League of Hawaii members and walkers will meet at 6:30 am at Magic Island.

• $50 suggested donation for anyone over 18
• $25 suggested donation for anyone under 18

If you are donating via check, please make it payable to CHARITY WALK. You can also donate online by clicking on the button below.

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/Oahu/team/AssistanceLeagueofHawa

Click on this graphic or scan the QR code to get to the online donation link.

From the Hawaii Visitor Charity Walk web page

Join Us for the 2025 Oʻahu Visitor Industry Charity Walk!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 3, 2025, as we come together for a meaningful and fun-filled day at Ala Moana Beach Park – Magic Island, kicking off at 7:00 a.m.

The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is more than just a walk—it’s a powerful movement that has raised millions to support hundreds of local nonprofits across Oʻahu. By participating, you’re directly contributing to organizations that provide critical services in our community, from feeding families in need to supporting keiki programs, senior care, and cultural preservation.

Get ready for a morning of live entertainment, delicious local food, and an incredible sense of camaraderie, all while making a lasting impact. Whether you walk, donate, or volunteer, your support helps uplift those who need it most.

We can’t wait to see you there! Sign up today and be part of something truly special.

The focus of the PSA is aimed at building awareness of our programs and volunteering. The image above is from the closing splash screen of the PSA.

Instrumental in bringing the PSA from concept to finished product are the following members and volunteers: Producers Chris Pelletier, Linda McColgan, Mary Monohon and Melvin Ah Ching. Special thanks to volunteer Lisa Davidson who wrote and edited the final script. Evern Williams of Olelo Community Relations and all the other people at that fine organization, who provided us with their technical expertise and airtime. Last but not least, a big mahalo to Hazel Sumile who became our on-air talent and the voice of Assistance League of Hawaii’s first video PSA.