In 2015, Hawaii Electric Light Co. donated more than $155,000 in corporate contributions to nonprofit and community organizations across Hawaii Island.
In 2015, Hawaii Electric Light Co. donated more than $155,000 in corporate contributions to nonprofit and community organizations across Hawaii Island.
The donations supported community services provided by Arc of Hilo, Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island, Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii, Hawaii Island United Way, Hilo Medical Center Foundation, Hope Services Hawaii, Kona Hospital Foundation, Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center and other organizations.
Throughout the past year, about 500 HELCO employees and their ohana contributed more than 2,300 volunteer hours to assist with 20 community service projects across the island, such as fundraising for various charitable organizations and collecting and providing toys for less fortunate Hawaii Island keiki during the holiday season.
In recognition of exemplary volunteer service to the community, the HEI Charitable Foundation also honored HELCO employee Robert Kaneshiro as its 2015 Kokua Community Champion and made a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit organization selected by him.
Kaneshiro, an assistant superintendent for system operations, was honored for giving his personal time to numerous company-sponsored and private community activities. He selected Hawaii Island United Way to share the donation.
“I want to help as many people in our community as possible,” said Kaneshiro, who lives in Hilo. “I believe that the Hawaii Island United Way helps make this possible.”
“In all aspects of his community interaction, Robert is a wonderful ambassador for Hawaii Electric Light,” said his manager, Lisa Dangelmaier. “He is an outgoing, approachable, well-spoken and genuinely giving member of his community.”
Kaneshiro is a member of the HELCO employees’ Toys for Tots “Big Ben” train crew that participates in the annual holiday parades.
Throughout the year, Kaneshiro supports numerous charitable events including the American Heart Association’s Hilo Heart &Stroke Walk, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, YWCA’s Walk A Mile in Her Shoes and the HELCO employees’ Toys for Tots golf tournament.
Kaneshiro also has been a longtime supporter of the Hawaii Society of Professional Engineers Big Island MathCounts competition for intermediate school students.