Turtle Bay Foundation Gives $50,000 To Windward Communities
Turtle Bay Foundation awarded $50,000 in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and college-bound students in Windward and North Shore communities Dec. 10 at the resort’s Surfer, The Bar. Big winner of the day is represented by the folks in the familiar red shirts (Red Raiders). Photo from the Anthology Group.
Turtle Bay Foundation awarded $50,000 in grants and scholarships at a recent celebration at Surfer, The Bar.
In total, 29 organizations and eight current and former Kahuku High students benefitted from the foundation’s yearlong fundraising effort that included monetary donations as well as in-kind services.
Most grants were between $500 and $2,000. The resort’s in-kind donations for 2013 totaled $200,000.
The big winner was Kahuku High School. In addition to scholarships, the foundation also gave grants to its band program, film club, and water polo, volleyball and surf teams.
The funds fill a big need for the rural school. “It’s critical,” said Pat Macadangdang, vice principal for juniors and seniors. “It’s amazing what they have done to help us. We don’t have a lot. We’re a poor school, but the community loves Kahuku High School.
“They have adopted us, and we have adopted them.”
The foundation began in April 2012 at the suggestion of Turtle Bay CEO Drew Stotesbury, who had seen similar programs prosper at other resorts where he worked. Turtle Bay, said Stotesbury, has worked with Koolauloa groups for many years but until this year hadn’t had a system in place that could take advantage of its resources.
“It’s one thing to use our money and services, which we do, but it’s another thing to use our expertise to create even more money,” he said.
“Because we are such a big business we can go back to our key partners and ask them to help. Everyone is happy to do it. They want to give back.”
Area grant recipients are Friends of Kahana, Friends of Kahuku Band, Hauula Community Association, Ka’a’awa Elementary, Kahuku Film Club, Kahuku Water Polo, Kahuku Volleyball, Ko’olauloa Children’s Chorus, Ko’olauloa Educational Alliance, Ko’olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club, Rainbow School Kahuku, Sustainable Coastlines, Bright Beginning Learning Center, Central Oahu Youth Service Association, Clover J’s 4-H Livestock Club, FAM42, Ho’ala Aina Kupono, Holomua, Hukilau Soccer Club, Imi Ike, Lanakila Pacific, Malama Loko Ea, Malama Pupukea Waimea, Manu O Ke Kai, Partners in Development Foundation, The Private Sector, The Purple Van, U8 Boys Soccer and Waialua Robotics Program.
Kahuku High scholarship winners are Adora Anae, Mariah Berard Kamakeeaina, Stream Goo, Brandee Heder, Emalia Marquardsen, Tonga Milavea, Jennifer Nacapuy and Jeheryl Okala Makaiau.
The Foundation will begin accepting applications for next year’s grants in June. For more information, visit turtlebayfoundation.com.
