Hot Shots – 3/29/23

$4 Million Boost For Native Hawaiians, Businesses

Oweesta Corp. recently awarded $4 million to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement in an effort to increase the nonprofit’s loan program. Of the total amount, $3 million will be utilized for new home construction loans for state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries and $1 million will be earmarked for women-owned businesses. Pictured (from left) are Oweesta’s Vincent Grant, executive assistant; Fern Orie, chief programs officer; Florence Ludka, chief financial officer; and Chrystel Cornelius, chief executive officer; as well as CNHA’s Kūhiō Lewis, chief executive officer; Ian Pumaras, chief financial officer; Chris Kuaiwa, loan fund manager; Mehana Hind, senior director of community programs; Jeff Gilbreath, board of directors member; and Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, cultural ambassador. PHOTO COURTESY COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT

Thankful For An ‘EPIC’ Contribution

Atlas Insurance Agency’s EPIC (Encouraging Professionals, Inspiring Collaboration) group donated $5,000 to Honolulu Community Action Program to deliver need-based human services to the economically challenged on O‘ahu. Pictured (from left) are Greg Matsuura, account manager, Atlas Insurance Agency; Grant Kogami, Head Start director, HCAP; Joseph Cipriano, accounting assistant, HCAP; Robin Fakaosi, director of community services, HCAP; Mele Kauvaka, director of human resources, HCAP; Samantha Chan, account executive, Atlas Insurance Agency; and Chase Kurosaki, account executive, Atlas Insurance Agency. PHOTO COURTESY ATLAS INSURANCE AGENCY