Hawaii Literacy

Volunteer Recognition Event: April 27, 2013

Our 5th annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner came with a Dr. Seuss twist. It was a great evening of bonding, games and prizes, but most especially the recognition of our hardworking and kindhearted volunteers. We are extremely fortunate to have these people help the adults and keikis of our local programs. In 2012, 323 Hawaii Literacy volunteers gave over 8,100 hours, plus thousands in donations and in-kind items.

This event would not have been possible without the generous donations from the following businesses in our community:

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Pizza Hut Literacy Cards Now For Sale!

Help support Hawaii Literacy and local literacy programs with the the Pizza Hut Literacy Cards fundraiser. The vouchers are available for $10 at our main office and with the staff members. With your voucher, you can redeem a Pizza Hut Literacy Card at any of the participating Pizza Hut Restaurants.

Your card gives you:

A second pizza for FREE if you buy 1 medium or large pizza
Get up to (5) FREE pizzas for every visit
No limit to how many times it is used

The Pizza Hut Literacy Card is now good for DELIVERY, Dine-in, AND carry-out orders. The card is valid one year after the card is punched.

Your purchase will help support Hawaii Literacy and local Literacy programs, and you get to enjoy free pizza.

Mahalo!

View the Pizza Hut Literacy Flyer

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FORTY UNDER 40 CLASS AND ALOHA AIR CARGO BRING CUSTOM BOOKSHELVES TO HAWAII LITERACY’S FAMILY LIBRARY AT KUHIO PARK

HONOLULU, HI (April 5, 2013) www.hawaiiliteracy.org – The members of the 2011 Class of Forty Under 40, a group of young business and community leaders honored each year by Pacific Business News, selected Hawaii Literacy as beneficiary of their first ever Class community service project. Members of the Forty Under 40 Class and Aloha Air Cargo (www.alohaaircargo.com) committed to raise funds for and custom build new bookcases and shelving for the Family Library at Kuhio Park. Hawaii Literacy’s Family Library had moved to a new space in one of Kuhio Park’s Towers last fall, and the old donated bookshelves did not work well in the new space.

“We wanted to do something to support the community that would make a concrete difference for local keiki in need,” explained Johnny Hobayan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Aloha Air Cargo and one of the members of the Forty Under 40 class. “When we saw all that the Family Library was doing with limited space, we saw a chance to really help this program. With custom bookcases that fit the library space, the children can have a beautiful and exciting learning environment with a wider selection of books.”

To read more about this article, Click Here

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Board Site Visit April 6, 2013

On April 6th, new and current members of the Board of Directors were invited to tour all the programs and sites served by Hawaii Literacy’s programs, to have the chance to talk with those learning to read and write and see first hand what happens each day in our programs.

Board members new 2013 Board members Brandon Kurisu and Jason Fujita joined current members Rachel del Rosario and James Wong for a tour of English Language Learners program and Drop-In Center, the Kuhio Park Family Library, and enjoyed a special visit from the Bookmobile for the keiki at Kuhio Park. As Board member Jason Fujita said, “Seeing the programs really helps you understand what the needs are and why we volunteer on the Board.” “The kids have so many needs and are eager for everything the Library had to offer– books, knowledge, attention. It just made me want to do more to help.” added Brandon Kurisu.

(From left to right) Rachel del Rosario, Tamara Martinez (in back), Jason Fujita, Brandon Kurisu (kneeling), and James Wong with youths and families at Kuhio Park.

(From left to right) Jason Fujita, Brandon Kurisu, Tamara Martinez (Family Library Program Manager), Rachel del Rosario, and James Wong with youths at Kuhio Park Family Library.

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Mahalo to all who joined us in celebrating Heidi Byrne’s years of service!

Mahalo to Heidi for 25 years of service in the Adult Literacy program, and mahalo to all who were a part of the celebration!

Heidi with Lori Ann, who went on to Community College and became a tutor for Adult Literacy.

Over 60 people gathered to express their deep gratitude to Heidi for her many years of service. A special thank you to Lori Ann and Danny, who were students of Heidi and gave a moving speech on behalf of Heidi and her ability to make people’s lives brighter and more productive. Lori Ann is now a tutor, and is passing on the help she received from Heidi by helping others.

Another special thank you goes to Representative Karen Awana, who presented a certificate to Heidi from the State of Hawaii, honoring her 25 years of excellent service.

The party was held on Thursday, February 28th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
at the Gallery at Arts at Marks Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Avenue

We were so glad to see past and present Board members, volunteers, tutors, students, and staff reconnect with each other and be recognized for helping thousands of adults in need learn to read and write.

Mahalo for being part of this celebration!

We would also like to thank the dozens of individuals whose kind donations made this event possible, as well as the following generous businesses:

Hokulani Bake Shop

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Come Join us in our Veteran’s Day Celebration & Children’s Book Signing at Walgreens Wahiawa

This Veteran’s Day weekend, join Walgreens Hawaii and Voicemaster Advertising for a free family-friendly event honoring the Military community!

Hawaii’s beloved Children’s Book Author Jerilyn Ito, whose books are sold in all Hawaii Walgreens Stores, and currently being marketed across the United States, will be there to sign her two latest books: Finding Our Ohana and Double Rainbow Island! A portion of proceeds from sales of both books are given to Hawaii Literacy’s Adult and Family Literacy programs.

There will be FREE cotton candy, popcorn, shave ice, beverages, face painting, balloon tying, a Keiki Jumper, ‘Live’ entertainment, over $3,000.00 in prizes, and FREE MONEY for the Keiki via our ‘Ohana Coin Grab’! PLUS, Walgreens Hawaii will be making a generous donation to Hawaii Literacy!

Bring the whole family and enjoy a free celebration to honor Hawaii’s Military Families!

The Bookmobile will be at the event from 11:30am – 1:30pm, and will be open for visits.

About Jerilyn Ito

Jerilyn Ito was raised in Kailua, Hawai’i, a graduate of Kailua High School, The University of Hawai’i School of Nursing, and has a Master’s degree in Organizational Change from Hawai’i Pacific University.

Jerilyn currently resides in Honolulu, Hawai’i, where she enjoys every moment with her two young children and continues with a career in Nursing at The Veterans Administration, while moving forward with her dream to bring fun, family friendly stories, to the children of America.

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Mahalo to everyone who came to Murphy’s!

THANKS TO KHON2 FOR HIGHLIGHTING OUR EVENT THIS WEEK.

AND THANKS TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER FOR COVERING THE EVENING.

HERE ARE SOME GREAT PHOTOS BY BRIAN TSENG.

This event was a great success thanks to everyone’s support! Harry Koizumi’s live music and Jon Murakami/Comic Jam Hawaii’s live art were awesome, and we had some amazing silent auction and prize drawings this year, including Kindle Fires generously donated by DS Santo, Inc. We hope that everyone who came had a great evening, and that those who missed it can join us in future events!

Mahalo to
and our wonderful sponsors!