NEWS RELEASE

HONOLULU, June 11, 2020 – Today, the Motiv8 Foundation, in partnership with First Hawaiian Bank’s (FHB) “Aloha for Hawaii” campaign, announced a $25,000 donation to The Institute for Human Services (IHS) to ensure Hawaii’s homeless population are not overlooked during the COVID-19 global pandemic. This aims to support programs that help develop a healthy mind and body among Hawaii’s youth.

With the Motiv8 Foundation’s donation, IHS joins the previously announced “Aloha for Hawaii” non-profit recipients Hawaii Meals on Wheels, The Food Basket – Hawaii Island’s Food Basket, Maui Food Bank, Kauai Independent Food Bank, The Pantry by Feeding Hawaii Together, Child and Family Service, Aloha Harvest, Hawaii Foodbank, and Blood Bank of Hawaii, in receiving contributions from the “Aloha for Hawaii” campaign, which have now reached $800,000 since the campaign began in mid-April.  

The $25,000 gift will greatly impact IHS’ mission of ending homelessness in Hawaii. This donation will help keep the lights on and water running at their Women’s and Family Shelter and children’s educational program for two and a half months, the same length of time a typical family in crisis stays in the shelter before finding success in housing.

“There is nothing more important to me than supporting Hawaii’s children and our homeless population, especially in the current COVID-19 climate where there are so many in need,” said Marcus Mariota, co-founder of Motiv8. “I chose IHS to receive our donation to the ‘Aloha for Hawaii’ campaign because of the organization’s ability to provide the most basic necessities for those who don’t have shelter or a way to receive an education. I’m so hopeful that the families and children in IHS’ care will have a path to a brighter future. Meanwhile, I strongly believe the ‘Aloha for Hawaii’ Fund is an innovative way to support Hawaii nonprofits while also helping our restaurant industry; this is a win-win and a great way to give back.”

“We are so humbled by this generous gift from the Motiv8 Foundation, which comes at a time of increased need for homeless services,” said IHS Director of Philanthropy and Community Relations Jill Wright. “This gift helps support our women’s and family emergency shelter and children’s classroom, which provide our families with the safety and security of a temporary place to live, learn, and prepare for the road ahead.”

The Motiv8 Foundation, founded by Marcus Mariota in 2015, aims to create and support economic and educational programs and athletic activities to provide an alternative outlet for youth of troubled neighborhoods and backgrounds. The Foundation’s programming centers around the tools for success that allow more children to fully complete their education and eventually attend college. Since its launch, the Motiv8 Foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars toward healthy lifestyle programming and will continue to fulfill its mission through signature programs, strategic partnerships, and fundraising initiatives.

First Hawaiian Bank’s “Aloha for Hawaii” initiative, which launched in April, is a special program that offers support to Hawaii restaurants and provides up to $1 million in donations to the “Aloha for Hawaii” Fund, which has been established to support non-profits with food supply and health and human service programs for those impacted by COVID-19. FHB’s goal is to generate one million takeout or delivery purchases at restaurants across Hawaii, and it plans to donate up to $1 million to local nonprofits that are standing up food supply and health and human service programs that support those most at risk. FHB customers easily can participate by using any FHB debit or credit card to purchase a takeout or delivery meal in Hawaii, and the Bank will automatically make a donation to the Aloha for Hawaii Fund. For more information, visit fhb.com/aloha.

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