“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 …
NONPROFIT SHOWCASE | by Jim George, HANO Contributing Columnist
There are thousands of nonprofits in Hawai‘i, each trying to achieve their individual missions. One of the ways HANO advocates for the many organizations that collectively compose the nonprofit sector is to build community awareness of their value.
In this monthly series, former newspaper editor and columnist Jim George visits with organizations that make up Hawai‘i’s not-for-profit community. Through these profiles, we hope to shine a light on the many ways these different organizations contribute to improving the quality of life for all of us who call Hawai‘i home.
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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 …
“Seniors Rock” as they learn the art and science of healthy aging
Hundreds of Hawaii residents are learning the art and science of healthy aging through a 5-year-old program that gives participants the information they need to make vital decisions about how they will spend their later years. The Dr. Rosita Leong Mini-Medical School on Healthy Aging has …