Charitable giving supplemented by more than 850 volunteer hours by associates
First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) continued its commitment to the local community in 2023, with its foundation donating more than $474,000 to 60-plus nonprofit organizations across the state. Among the organizations that received financial donations in 2023 were American Red Cross, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Maui Strong, University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, Aloha United Way, American Heart Association, Mālama Learning Center, and the Nature Conservancy.
First Insurance’s 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. FICOH associates broaden FICOH’s community impact through their long tradition of volunteer service. In 2023, associates donated more than 850 volunteer hours as members of the First Insurance Community Action Team (First CAT).
Here are some 2023 volunteer service highlights:
- January: First CAT volunteers gathered at Mālama Learning Center’s Camilo planting site in West Oahu to plant more than 100 native plants
- April: FICOH associates joined other insurance industry volunteers to install free smoke alarms in condos at Banyan Tree Plaza as part of Hawaii Red Cross’ life-saving “Sound the Alarm” campaign.
- July: First CAT members and family returned to Mālama Learning Center’s Palehua site to sow ma'o seeds, clear a new planting site, and remove California grass from an existing out-planting site.
- August: More than 85 First CAT volunteers walked in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk at Kapiolani Park. Associates raised more than $3,500 for heart disease prevention, on top of a $30,000 donation from FICOH’s Charitable Foundation.
- August-December: FICOH’s volunteer Aloha United Way (AUW) committee organized events raising nearly $8,000 for AUW. Associates pledged an additional $15,880, which FICOH’s Charitable Foundation matched, for a total donation of $39,000 to Aloha United Way.
- October: FICOH associates and family volunteered at Pu’uhonua O Wai’anae, a village of unhoused individuals near Waianae Boat Harbor. Later that month, First CAT members participated in the 2023 Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival, showing support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“First Insurance strives to make a positive difference in our community by delivering on our commitments to our customers and through our support of local nonprofits,” said Todd Takayama, president and CEO. “We appreciate the important role nonprofit organizations play as well as our associates’ active participation in creating a stronger and more resilient Hawaii for future generations.”
To learn more about FICOH and its community giving, visit http://www.ficoh.com/about-us/community/.
About First Insurance Company of Hawaii
Founded in 1911, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. is the oldest and largest property and casualty insurer domiciled in Hawaii, with assets of $699.1 million, liabilities of $430.4 million, and policyholders’ surplus of $268.7 million as of December 31, 2022.
First Insurance, a member of the Tokio Marine North America (TMNA) group of companies, enjoys an “A+” rating from A.M. Best Co. Proud of its broadly experienced, service-oriented staff, First Insurance employs more than 250 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 26 independent general agencies. First Insurance was awarded the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Gold Achievement for 2022. In 2023, First Insurance was named one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work in the "large company" category by Hawaii Business magazine.
First Insurance supports many local organizations through monetary donations made at the corporate level, by its associates and the First Insurance Foundation. 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.