The Island Insurance Foundation, the charitable arm of Island Insurance and one of the top 25 most active private foundations in the state, donated almost $1.2 million to 115 Hawaii non-profit organizations last year. 2022 donations represent an increase of approximately 20% over the year prior; giving during the 2021 calendar year was just over $1 million.
“Given the challenges faced by so many in Hawaii over the past few years, we made it a priority to increase our giving to local non-profits across the state that make tangible differences in the lives of residents who need it most,” said Dana Tokioka, Island Insurance Foundation President. “By supporting these worthy organizations that do so much good, we are also giving back to the very communities where our customers, partners and employees live.”
Education: Over $435,000
Support for education has been a pillar of giving for the Island Insurance Foundation since its establishment in 2003. In 2022, the foundation donated more than $270,000 to the University of Hawaii Foundation to support a range of activities from Title IX initiatives to the development of RISE, a world-class innovation-and-entrepreneurship center that will be operated by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship at the UH Manoa Shidler College of Business.
“Island Insurance’s commitment to Hawaii and our university is inspiring,” said University of Hawaii Foundation CEO Tim Dolan. “We are immensely grateful for their support, which touches so many lives — generations of student entrepreneurs, our economists at UHERO and researchers developing cancer treatments.”
In addition to its support of the University of Hawaii, the Island Insurance Foundation donated over $165,000 to other educational organizations including the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation. It also presents the Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award annually to the local public-school principal who shows the greatest vision, entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the community; the 17th principal, Ka’u’s Sharon Beck, was recognized in April 2023 by the two foundations.
Other youth-focused organizations that received significant support in 2022 included Teach for America Hawaii, Girl Scout Council of Hawaii, After-School All-Stars Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University, Lanai High & Elementary School, Pacific Buddhist Academy, St. Andrew’s School and KUPU.
Economic Relief/Social Support: Over $330,000
Helping Hands Hawaii, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Hawaii Community Foundation, Lanakila Meals on Wheels and other local non-profits providing economic relief and social support to the community received over $330,000. Other funding was given to organizations working to strengthen and diversify Hawaii’s economy to increase the state’s resiliency in the future.
Culture/Arts: Nearly $270,000
The foundation also donated nearly $270,000 to support cultural and arts organizations that helped enrich the lives of island residents. These organizations included Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Hawaii, Friends of Iolani Palace, Hawaii Public Radio, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and Kumu Kahua Theatre.
Health: Approximately $195,000
Donations to support critical health organizations including the American Heart Association, Straub Foundation, Kuakini Foundation, National Kidney Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association totaled some $195,000 in 2022.