Courtesy photo/First Hawaiian Bank First Hawaiian Bank is reporting that its annual Kōkua Mai employee giving campaign raised $873,987 to support nonprofit organizations in Hawai‘i, Guam and Saipan. Courtesy photo

First Hawaiian Bank employees and retirees have boosted the holiday giving season by contributing a donation of $873,987 to 36 charities in Hawai’i, Guam and Saipan as part of the bank’s annual Kōkua Mai employee giving campaign.

According to the bank, the annual campaign allows employees to contribute to causes and charities that are significant to them.

Since its inception in 2007, FHB employees and retirees have reportedly donated more than $12 million through the program, benefitting thousands of people who receive assistance from nonprofit organizations.

This year, Kōkua Mai ran from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, and during that time, 98% of the bank’s employees made financial donations to Kōkua Mai, which exceeded this year’s goal of $700,000.

In addition, 242 Leadership Givers stepped forward with contributions of $1,000 or more.

“I’m humbled by the generosity and community support from our employees and retirees this year,” Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement. “As a bank that cares deeply for our community, it’s wonderful to see our contributions create impact, year after year, for such a broad range of nonprofit organizations and community groups who are dedicated to helping others in need.”

The program is run by employees with the bank covering all program costs so that 100% of every employee contribution goes to their local charity of choice in the communities served by the bank.

The program includes a variety of activities such as shave ice sales, book sales and online auctions.

This year, Aloha United Way was the top recipient, receiving $228,030, followed by Hawai’i Foodbank, which received $71,528, and Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation, which received $53,687.

In 2024, Kōkua Mai benefited the following organizations that focus on health, education, self-sufficiency and life-sustaining services including the Maui Foodbank, Maui United Way, the American Red Cross, the Blood Bank of Hawaii and many more.