Our Charitable Foundation
Since 1998, our foundation has served as the charitable arm of First Insurance Company of Hawaii. The foundation has contributed more than $5.47 million to local nonprofits over the past decade. Its charitable giving focuses on four areas: 1) family, social services and health care; 2) education and career development; 3) environment and sustainability; and 4) civic, culture and the arts.
Hawaii 501(c)(3) organizations may send grant requests to First Insurance Charitable Foundation, Attn: Joni Sakamoto, 1100 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96814.
Learn more:
First Insurance Charitable Foundation donates more than $474,000 to local nonprofits in 2023 (1/16/24)
First Insurance announces $111,000 in grants to environmental nonprofits (7/20/22)
Community Service
With the primary purpose of giving back to the communities in which we do business, the First Community Action Team (or First CAT, for short) offers associates and their families dozens of opportunities annually to make a difference.
Learn more:
First Insurance associates donate more than 850 volunteer hours in 2023 (1/16/24)
First Insurance partners with Malama Learning Center to plant trees (10/25/22)
Partnership Highlights
University of Hawaii
We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with the University of Hawaii. We believe partnerships between private business and our community’s public university form the cornerstone of a strong economy and thriving workforce. Since 2007, our partnership has grown to include two endowed professorships in risk management; an endowed scholarship at the Shidler College of Business; the First Insurance Scholarship in Climate Change; an insurance internship program; financial support of the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship and University of Hawaii Cancer Center; and ongoing support of the Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii.
Malama Learning Center
In 2022, First Insurance and Mālama Learning Center (MLC) entered into a three-year partnership to support MLC’s native reforestation efforts at Palehua along the slopes above Kapolei and Makakilo. The partnership is powered by a contribution of $75,000 over three years and the participation of our associates in a series of volunteer work days spanning from 2022 to early 2025.
Holiday Car Donations
In the spirit of the holiday season, First Insurance and its partner auto body shops come together each December to donate refurbished vehicles to families in need of reliable transportation. FICOH donates the salvaged cars and auto parts; our auto body shop partners donate their labor; and Helping Hands Hawaii identifies deserving families to receive the fully refurbished vehicles. Eleven families have received cars on Oahu and the neighbor islands since we initiated the holiday giving program in 2016.
Aloha United Way
FICOH has been a loyal Aloha United Way (AUW) campaign participant since 1992. In addition to donating to pledge drives, associates coordinate and participate in fundraising events to maximize our contribution. In 2023, FICOH and its associates contributed $39,000 to AUW member agencies.
American Red Cross, Pacific Island Region
First Insurance is a proud supporter of the Red Cross and its Sound the Alarm home fire prevention campaign. In addition to First Insurance’s financial support, many associates volunteer their time to install smoke alarms and educate residents about home fire safety.
Would you like to join us in our quest to help Hawaii thrive? Learn more about FICOH careers.