(Left to Right) Hawai’i Credit Unions celebrate 15 year partnership and 5in5 $500,00 commitment. Mel Chiba CEO and Terri Kaniho, Marketing Specialist Kaua‘i Community FCU, Cheryl Nakai, CEO Hotel & Travel Industry FCU, Dennis Tanimoto, President and CEO and Alan “Nala” Arai, Chairman of the Board Hawai‘i Credit Union League, Scott Tsuchiyama, President Kekaha FCU, Norman Okimoto, CEO President Hawai‘i Ted FCU and Glen Moribe, Board Chairman Hawaiian Tel FCU pose with Kapi’olani Medical Center CEO Martha Smith (Center)
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Reinforcing the mission to help those who are most in need, Hawai’i’s Credit Unions have announced today a pledge through Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network of $500,000 to the Campaign for Hawai’i’s Children to rebuild and expand Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children.
Hawai’i’s Credit Union League, President & Chief Executive Officer Dennis Tanimoto.
Called “5 In 5”, the program aims to raise $500,000 in five years. The pledge marks a new record for Hawai’i Credit Unions, a long-term partner of Kapi’olani Medical Center and its Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Credit Unions for Kids program. “The Hawai’i Credit Union League and the credit unions of Hawai’i have embraced Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and its “Credit Unions for Kids” program as a major fund-raising initiative. Best of all, funds raised in Hawai’i stay in Hawai’i to benefit pediatric programs at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children – which has performed miracles for the people of Hawai’i and the Pacific Basin for decades,” said Dennis Tanimoto, President of Hawai’i Credit Union League.
Kapi’olani Medical Center CEO Martha Smith.
This gesture of care also marked a special occasion for donations in Hawai’i as both entities are not-for-profit organizations looking to serve local families who otherwise cannot afford quality care. “Our history with the League of Hawai’i Credit Unions is a long and rich one and we are proud to be partnered with an organization that year over year, has increased their donations to the community. Hawai’i’s Credit Unions truly cares about our community,” Kapi’olani Medical Center CEO Martha Smith shared.
Three of Hawai’i’s Credit Union’s make their 5in5 commitment. Mel Chiba, CEO Kaua‘i Community FCU, Scott Tsuchiyama, President Kekaha Federal Credit Union, Norman Okimoto, Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union
Smith said that to date, the 15-year relationship between Kapi’olani Medical Center and the League of Hawaii Credit Unions has raised more than $650,000.
Tanimoto added that the connection with Kapi’olani Medical Center expands beyond keeping all donations in Hawai’i, it is also a matter of personal ties with the hospital. “My wife and I, as well as our two children and now three grandchildren, were all born at Kapi’olani Medical Center, so we are well aware of its great facilities, technological advancements, wonderful staff and dedicated volunteers. The support from our members and employees of Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network Credit Unions for Kids program will help ensure Kapi’olani’s tradition of medical excellence will continue for generations to come.”
Co-chaired by Dee Jay Mailer and Bert Kobayashi, the Campaign has raised $28.4 million toward a $30 million goal to fund the first phase of a multi-year master plan to rebuild Kapi’olani Medical Center.
To celebrate the donation, a celebration was held Tuesday Sep. 17 at Kapi’olani Medical Center’s dining room. Executives from both Kapi’olani Medical Center and Hawai’i’s Credit Unions were present.
About Kapi‘olani’s Campaign for Hawai‘i’s Children
Rapidly emerging technologies have fundamentally changed the care delivery process and a rebuild of Kapi‘olani is vital in order to provide the level of comfort and care that Hawai‘i’s families deserve. The Phase 1 renovation and rebuild will 1) allow for family-centered care, with private rooms in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units to let families to participate in their child’s care around the clock—a concept at the center of hospital rebuilds nationwide; 2) meet the critical care needs of Hawai‘i’s keiki, as the Pacific region’s sole tertiary referral center and Level III-B Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; and 3) provide teaching space to train Hawai‘i’s health care professionals in ObGyn and Pediatric care, via collaborative programs with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and other organizations.
Paving the way for Phase 1 to begin in earnest, a new parking garage was completed and opened on February 11. In 2014, construction will start on the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit building.
About Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network
Kapi‘olani Medical Center is Hawai‘i’s only Children’s Miracle Network hospital. In this role, it is a partner with the national nonprofit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals organization that is dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. 100% of every dollar raised stays in Hawai’i to provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education for our keiki at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children
About Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children
Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children is well recognized as Hawai‘i’s leader in the care of women, infants and children. With 207 beds and 66 bassinets, the nonprofit hospital is Hawai‘i’s only maternity, newborn and pediatric specialty hospital. It is also a tertiary care, medical teaching and research facility. Specialty services for patients throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region include intensive care for infants and children, 24-hour emergency pediatric care, air transport, maternal fetal medicine, and high-risk perinatal care. More than 1,500 employees and more than 630 physicians provide specialty care at Kapi‘olani Medical Center. The hospital is home to Kapi‘olani Women’s Center and Women’s Cancer Center – the state’s only dedicated breast health and gynecological cancer centers. Kapi‘olani offers numerous community programs and services, such as the Kapi‘olani Child Protection Center and Sex Abuse Treatment Center. Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children is an affiliate of Hawai‘i Pacific Health, the states largest health care provider. Learn more at: www.kapiolani.org.
About The Hawai‘i Credit Union League
The Hawai’i Credit Union League is the trade association representing credit unions Hawai’i and Guam. Established in 1937, the League provides advocacy, education and training, and resources to its member credit unions as well as information about the benefits of credit union membership to the public.