Hawaiian Telcom Awards More Than $700,000 to Hawaii Charities

LATEST NEWS December 22, 2005 Hawaiian Telcom Awards More Than $700,000 to Hawaii Charities Hawaiian Telcom Inc. today announced it awarded more than $700,000 to 40 charitable organizations across Hawaii. The company hosted a reception today at Washington Place for recipients of the community appreciation grants, which are being given as part of the re-creation of Hawaiian Telcom as an independent, Hawaii-based company. “Hawaiian Telcom works hard to keep people connected not only through communications but also with community support,” said Michael Ruley, CEO of Hawaiian Telcom. “We’re extremely humbled by the work being done by people at organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Aloha United Way and Friends of the Library. “We also recognize that donations to Hawaii’s nonprofit community have been pinched this year in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as so many people and organizations have generously supported victims of that tragedy,” Ruley said. “So this is as an especially important time to help local organizations that our community depends upon.” Joel Matsunaga, vice president of external affairs at Hawaiian Telcom, said the company sought input from communities on Oahu and the neighbor islands while planning its donations. “We know that the monetary support is always appreciated,” Matsunaga said, “but we’re hearing more often from community leaders that they want to give us insight on the needs of the surrounding community to help us decide where our contributions can have real impact. We’re grateful to those people who took the time to meet with us and share their insights.” Grants were given to the following organizations on the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu:
Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America Aloha United Way American Diabetes Association American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter Anahola Hawaiian Homes Association Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu Blood Bank of Hawaii Boys and Girls Club of Hilo Child & Family Service The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu Diamond Head Theater Easter Seals Hawaii Enterprise Honolulu Filipino Community Center Friends of the Library of Hawaii Girl Scout Council of Hawaii Goodwill Hawaii Haleiwa Arts Festival Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center Hawaii Council on Economic Education	Hawaii Island Economic Development Board Hawaii Island United Way Hawaii Theatre Center Hawaiian Humane Society HUGS (Help Understanding & Group Support) Hui Malama o Mo'omomi Kauai Economic Development Board Inc. Kekaha Homestead Association Lokahi Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. Molokai Chamber of Commerce Foundation National Multiple Sclerosis Society NAACP Hawaii The Neighborhood Place Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Palolo Chinese Home Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii Special Olympics Hawaii YMCA of Honolulu
Hawaiian Telcom Introduces 2006 Ho`olaulima Program Hawaiian Telcom also announced it has rolled out its 2006 Ho`olaulima Program, which provides charitable grants and creates partnerships with Hawaii nonprofit organizations. The program focuses on organizations in two general areas: education with an emphasis on the application of technology, and workforce development. Hawaiian Telcom reviews grant requests on a quarterly basis beginning in January. For more details or to apply, visit the “Community” section at www.hawaiiantel.com.
About Hawaiian Telcom Hawaiian Telcom is the state’s leading telecommunications provider, offering a wide spectrum of telecommunications products and services, which include local and long distance service, high-speed Internet, wireless services, and print directory and Internet directory services.