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Island Insurance Foundation Donates Over $1 Million to Hawaii Non-Profits in 2020 Amidst COVID Pandemic

The Island Insurance Foundation, the charitable arm of Island Insurance, donated over $1 million to Hawaii non-profit organizations in 2020.

Donations included $400,000 to support non-profit organizations providing pandemic relief in the community, including the Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii Foodbank, and the American Red Cross, among many others. “Hawaii’s non-profit community was particularly affected during the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, but these organizations have never played as crucial a role as they did in 2020,” said Dana Tokioka, President of the Island Insurance Foundation. “Not only do they provide critical assistance to the statewide community, non-profits also employ tens of thousands of local people.”

The Foundation also funded over $300,000 to support arts and cultural organizations that helped enrich the lives of residents restricted from participating in cultural events because of the pandemic.

Kumu Kahua Theater was able to expand its audience throughout Hawaii and on the mainland through online access supported by a special grant from the Foundation.

“Because of the Island Insurance Foundation, the community was able to enjoy our production of ‘Aloha Attire’ free of charge during its entire run of 12 shows,” explains Donna Blanchard, Managing Director of Kumu Kahua. “Its generous donation helped share this original Hawaii story and, speaking more broadly, supported the talents of our local playwrights, performers and other creative artists during unprecedented times.”

More than $300,000 was also donated to organizations providing educational enrichment opportunities to youth in Hawaii including the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders, Purple Maia Foundation, Kupu, KAMP Hawaii and the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, to name a handful.

Its annual Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award recognized Principal Ray Pikelny of Waianae Elementary with a $25,000 award in April 2020. Since its inception in 2005, the program has awarded over $650,000 to outstanding public-school principals in recognition of their contributions and to assist their efforts in funding high-impact projects at their schools.

About Island Insurance Foundation

The Island Insurance Foundation is the charitable arm of Island Insurance, Hawaii’s largest locally owned and managed P&C insurance carrier.

Founded in downtown Honolulu, Island Insurance has been serving Hawaii’s families and businesses for over 80 years. Island Insurance is the only Hawaii-based company to be recognized as a Top 50 property & casualty insurer in the nation by the Ward Group for 13 consecutive years and holds a financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company. For more information, visit its website at: www.islandinsurance.com.

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