Airline, nonprofits partner to aid tsunami homeless
From Hawaii 24/7
Increasing its commitment to supporting recovery efforts in Japan, Hawaiian Airlines has joined “The Aloha Initiative,” a grassroots program offering respite in Hawaii for families displaced by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Initiated by Maui residents Keith Regan and Lynn Araki-Regan and Keith and Michiko-Lynn Powers, and led by the nonprofit Japanese Cultural Society of Maui, the program expects to bring more than 100 affected Japan residents to Hawaii over the next few months to help the healing process by staying with host families on Maui and Oahu for up to 90 days.
The Aloha Initiative is paying all transportation costs through generous donations made by various businesses, including First Hawaiian Bank, and the general public. Hawaiian is contributing free interisland flights, as well as substantially discounted fares between Japan and Honolulu, in support of the program.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, said, “Families affected by the disasters in Japan are facing a long road to recovery and we want to help provide as many as possible with some relief from life in shelters.”
“We are so grateful to Hawaiian Airlines for truly exemplifying the aloha spirit with their generous support for our respite program,” said Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa, honorary chairman of the initiative.
Lynn Araki-Regan, co-founder of the initiative, said, “Without businesses and individuals coming together to show their support, this project would not even come close to becoming a reality.”
Volunteers of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui are reviewing program applicants from Japan and matching them with host families in Hawaii. Priority is being given to those who are most in need of help and compassionate support during this difficult period.
