Mention Cinderella to thousands of Hawaii youngsters and they will tell you about a young Korean woman who rises above adversity to become a K-Pop star and entrepreneur. “A Korean Cinderella,” written by playwright Alvin Chan and first performed in 2013, opened Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s …
Conservationist helps Hawaii cattle ranchers tell their story
“Where are the cows?” It’s a frequent question from first-time visitors to Hawaii’s cattle ranches as they gaze out at rolling hills, forests and grass - lots and lots of grass. “We’re grass farmers,” says James “Jimmy” Greenwell, retired president and current board member of his family-owned …
Sign of the times: Waikiki Health strengthens its safety net for thousands of Oahu residents
The weathered wooden sign hanging above the back stairwell at Waikiki Health on Ohua Avenue reminds staffers of their roots and how far their nonprofit has come in the past 52 years. When the Waikiki Drug Clinic opened in 1967, its mission was to treat members of the 1960s drug culture. The word …
PAAC helps Hawaii high school students see the world in new ways
As a teenager and Kalani High School student, Niki Shishido recalls being in her “own little East Honolulu bubble,” far removed from the world across the sea. A California Lutheran University professor would burst that bubble, propelling her physically and mentally across the ocean into a career …
Mediators help find creative ways to resolve legal disputes in turbulent times
A local nonprofit is looking into the future as it celebrates four decades of helping individuals and families find creative solutions to some of society’s most stressful issues. Working with limited space and a modest budget, the Mediation Center of the Pacific relies on thousands of volunteer …
Small nonprofit takes grassroots approach to fighting climate change
A small nonprofit is using a Windward Oahu marsh as its classroom as it works to restore a fragile ecosystem and educate Hawaii residents on the impact of climate change. It is typical of many of the organizations that make up Hawaii’s not-for-profit community. With no paid staff, it relies on …