Ed Hawkins (L) presenting an Aloha For Japan t-shirt to Yoshiharu Otsuka of the Japanese Red Cross Society

The statewide ALOHA FOR JAPAN initiative has raised more than $3 million in the month following Japan’s recent devastating earthquakes and tsunami, through donations, concerts, fundraising events, and proceeds from sales of items such as the ALOHA FOR JAPAN t-shirts that began the movement.

“This is extraordinary and it couldn’t have happened anywhere else in America. It shows what Hawaii is all about,” said Lt. Governor Brian Schatz. “We care about our friends and we take care of one another.”

American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank, HomeStreet Bank, Pacific Rim Bank, and Territorial Savings Bank have already made major monetary contributions to the effort and are extending their donation collection deadline through April 30 due to the overwhelming response and generosity of their customers.

“We are proud of the strong efforts of all the banks’ leadership and all the employees to this campaign,” said Gary Fujitani, Hawaii Bankers Association Executive Vice President.

Many credit unions across the state have also joined the ALOHA FOR JAPAN campaign. “Many of our credit unions throughout the state are proud to join the ALOHA FOR JAPAN campaign, and will help in this much-needed effort,” said Dennis Tanimoto, Hawaii Credit Union League President and CEO.

The 28 credit unions who are continuing their collections include:

• Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Big Island Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Ewa Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Hamakua Coast Community Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union (Hawaii island)
• Hawaii First Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Hawaii Schools Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Oahu and Maui)
• Hawaiian Airlines Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union (Oahu and Maui)
• HFS Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Hickam Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Honolulu Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Honolulu Fire Department Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Independent Employers Group Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Ka’u Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Kauai Community Federal Credit Union (Kauai)
• Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union (Kauai)
• Koloa Federal Credit Union (Kauai)
• North Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Onomea Federal Credit Union (Hawaii Island)
• Pearl Harbor Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• West Oahu Community Federal Credit Union (Oahu)
• Windward Community Federal Credit Union (Oahu)

GRP Home (the Hawaii-based joint cooperative comprising t-shirt companies Hi-Life/Butigroove, Fitted Hawaii, In4mation, Aloha Army, and Barefoot League) created the ALOHA FOR JAPAN t-shirt, from which the now-statewide campaign drew inspiration. GRP Home has already donated $80,000 to the campaign, raised from t-shirt sales. Shirts and caps are now on sale at all Don Quijote stores.

Various benefit concerts, events, and other activities throughout the state continue to sustain momentum for the ALOHA FOR JAPAN initiative and other fundraising efforts. The ALOHAFORJAPAN.com website is updated daily and provides an extensive calendar on upcoming events, as well as information on how to make online donations.

The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC) and the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH), both tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, have been accepting donations for the ALOHA FOR JAPAN campaign.

Earlier this week on March 11, exactly one month after the disaster, JASH President Ed Hawkins traveled to Tokyo to present a check for $1 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Its Vice President, Yoshiharu Otsuka, thanked the people of Hawaii for their generous donation and outpouring of support.

The Japanese Red Cross handed out more than 125,000 blankets and 20,700 emergency kits – including portable radios, flashlights and other supplies – to help evacuees cope with the cold weather and lack of electricity.

The Japanese Red Cross has begun to equip the first batch of 70,000 temporary homes, in the three worst affected prefectures, with a package of essential appliances. The appliances, worth an estimated $160 million that will help over 280,000 people, are part of Red Cross efforts to help survivors get back on their feet after the March 11th disasters. The first 36 of these Japanese government-built prefabricated homes were handed over to residents in Iwate prefecture last Friday afternoon. In addition, survivors will start to receive cash grants.

The national headquarters of the American Red Cross announced plans to make an additional commitment of $40 million dollars to the Japanese Red Cross, which would bring its total contributions to $100 million.

Donation checks, made payable “ALOHA FOR JAPAN”, can also be mailed to one of the following addresses:

Japan-America Society of Hawaii
c/o Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce
2454 South Beretania Street, Suite 201
Honolulu, Hawaii 96826

or

American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter
4155 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816

The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce volunteer hotline and email address for inquiries related to the campaign is: (808) 949-5531 or info@alohaforjapan.com.