HONOLULU – Continuing a cherished holiday tradition, First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) partnered with UNIBODY Autotech to gift a refurbished 2018 Honda Civic to Chastidy, a single mother of two identified through Helping Hands Hawai‘i’s Adopt a Family initiative.
This marks the 10th consecutive year FICOH and community partners have come together during the holiday season to provide reliable transportation and hope to local families in need. FICOH donated the salvaged car, while UNIBODY Autotech contributed expert labor and materials. Pacific Honda, Prism Group, NAPA, and PPG Paints donated essential parts and supplies, and Copart added a special touch by purchasing holiday gifts for Chastidy and her family.
Representatives from FICOH, Helping Hands Hawaiʻi, and UNIBODY Autotech, along with partners and vendors, gathered at UNIBODY today to hand over the keys to Leeward resident Chastidy and her 13-year-old daughter. Chastidy and her family relocated from California so she could be the primary caregiver for her mother, who is battling cancer. In her application to Helping Hands Hawaiʻi, she shared that having a car would greatly improve her quality of life by allowing her to take her mother to doctor’s appointments, commute to work, and care for her family.
“FICOH is proud to celebrate a decade of helping local families gain reliable transportation--a resource that can truly change lives,” said Yvette Barradas, FICOH Vice President. “These annual car donations give families hope and help them overcome difficult circumstances. We are so appreciative of UNIBODY Autotech and the vendors that help make this annual heartwarming event possible.”
“We are grateful to FICOH, UNIBODY Autotech, and our community partners for their decade of generosity,” said Kristine Garabiles, program manager, Helping Hands Hawaiʻi. “This annual car donation empowers a family and improves their quality of life, enabling greater financial stability and creating the opportunity to focus on what matters most: their family.”
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 $833.7 million, liabilities of $569.7 million, and policyholders’ surplus of $263.96 million as of December 31, 2024.
First Insurance is a member of the Tokio Marine North America (TMNA) group of companies and enjoys an “A+” rating from A.M. Best Co. Proud of its broadly experienced, service-oriented staff, First Insurance employs more than 220 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 26 independent general agencies. In 2025, First Insurance was named one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work in the “medium company” category by Hawaii Business magazine.
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About Helping Hands Hawai'i
Established in 1974, Helping Hands Hawai‘i is a local nonprofit that administers various programs to benefit the community including Bilingual Access Line, Community Clearinghouse, Representative Payee Services and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach. For 50 years, HHH’s mission has been to provide critical social services that allow people to empower themselves and improve their quality of life. HHH continues today to provide a vital lifeline for the local community, helping its members to help one another. For more information, visit www.helpinghandshawaii.org.