Help FHB fund local nonprofits

ANNE LEE speaks with First Hawaiian Bank Foundation president CAMERON NEKOTA

During the corona-virus pandemic, businesses big and small, as well as hundreds of individuals, have stepped up to help those in need. First Hawaiian Bank and its foundation are no exception, and I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Cameron Nekota about the financial institution’s “Aloha for Hawaii” campaign.

According to Nekota, it was created to help local restaurants by donating up to $1 million to support nonprofits addressing food supply and health and human service issues during COVID-19.

Nekota shares how the program works and how the public can help. (Hint: It’s a pretty tasty assist that’s easy and delicious.)

AL: How has COVID-19 affected the banking community?

CN: FHB has been working with customers to help them through the financial challenges associated with COVID-19. We have developed loan, mortgage and credit card relief programs, established fee waiver programs for our small business clients, and have been working with customers on the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. We are also providing remote banking services through our online and mobile apps. For those that need to meet in-person, we have implemented social distancing and other safety measures within the full-service branches that are open.

AL: How does the “Aloha for Hawaii” program work? CN: Each time someone uses their FHB debit or credit card to purchase a takeout or delivery meal at a local restaurant, we will automatically make a donation to the Aloha for Hawaii fund on your behalf — up to $1 million. There’s no need to keep track of receipts. With the community’s support, generating 1 million takeout meal orders has the ability to produce millions in revenue for the restaurant industry, helping restaurant workers, distributors, farms and other vendors who are dependent on our restaurant orders to stay in business.

AL: How can you help if you do not have a First Hawaiian Bank credit or debit card?

CN: You can make a monetary donation directly to any of the nine nonprofits.

AL: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

CN: We’ve already hit our first milestone of 50,000 takeout orders and made our first donation of $50,000 to Hawaii Meals on Wheels.

For more information, visit fhb.com/aloha.

Mother’s Day is coming up May 10, and though families around the state will be staying in that Sunday, there are still a ton of dining options available to spoil moms with a special holiday feast. Not sure what to get? Flip through this week’s Mother’s Day Takeout Guide in the following pages for culinary inspiration. Make sure to always call ahead for hours, as things can change ever-so-quickly these days.