Ko Olina Charities
Ko Olina Charities is a 501 (c) (3) organization created by Ko Olina Resort & Marina in its efforts to expand its community participation and outreach to West Honolulu residents.
With donations from Resort operators and residents, public donations, and grants from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and Resort events like the Fields Open Golf Tournament, Ko Olina Charities is able to fulfill its mission and continue its effort to assist this growing region.
Ko Olina Charities' annual Ko Olina Thanksgiving Outreach (celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008) serves up over 4,000 holiday meals for the homeless and low-income families throughout the region. Ko Olina Charities also supports numerous community events and organizations including the Leeward Sunset on the Beach and Kapolei Sunset on the Plains celebrations, the 'Olelo Youth Film Festival, the West Oahu Youth Leadership Conference, Hawaii High School Athletic Association, Waianae High School's Searider Productions, Valley of the Rainbows, the Girl Scouts of Hawaii, the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, and various homeless initiatives and emergency shelters in West Oahu.
"Ko Olina Charities was created to ensure that the resort was attentive to the needs of West Oahu communities and participated in the region which hosts Ko Olina," said Jeff Stone, president of Ko Olina Resort & Marina. "Charity is the programs official capacity, but we feel it is more our kuleana to give thanks to the people of West Honolulu and to help spearhead positive changes for those who need it."
The Ko Olina Training Fund:
As one of Ko Olina Charities' major undertakings, a part of its mission is to provide educational and training opportunities for West Oahu residents. Since 2003, the Ko Olina Training Fund has assisted nearly 1,000 West Oahu residents in various educational and training programs by providing over $1.3 million in assistance.
Working hand-in-hand with local leaders, its goal has been to train and educate individuals to be a part of the hospitality industry workforce, from entry-level to executive level positions, as well as preparing for position upgrades and promotions.
Ko Olina Resort will continue to expand its role as an economic engine for West Oahu and the entire State by providing education, training and job opportunities for West Oahu residents. In doing so, Ko Olina Charities will help serve the programs and residents of the Resorts host community.