Mahalo Ke Akua Blog

CHARITY ANNOUNCEMENT August 26, 2014 18:25

Excited to announce the charity that MahaloKeAkuaBrand.com will be contributing to for the month of September 2014!

As part of our charitable mandate, we strive to bring awareness to interesting and relevant charities that our followers may not have heard of.  As part of the selection process, we research charities that have cross-border or international impact, and research their financials to ensure the highest percentage of the donation goes directly to the cause.

For the month of September, to tie into the Back to School season, we looked into education related charities - see below for more info on this, and the other charities we've supported since our brand launch in May 2014.

 

September 2014

First Book www.firstbook.org

“Access to New Books for Children in Need”

To date, First Book has distributed more than 100 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada.

First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books and digital resources available on an ongoing basis so that children in need don’t miss out.

First Book is determined to see that all children, regardless of their economic conditions, can achieve more in school and in life through access to an ongoing supply of new books.

They report that more than 70% of the children who participate in a First Book program increase their reading at home, and most teachers find that First Book participation increases kids desire to learn at school.

 

August 2014

Aloha Toronto http://alohatoronto.com/

Inspired by Izzy and Danielle Paskowitz and their foundation Surfers Healing http://surfershealing.org, Aloha Toronto enhances the lives of kids with special needs, by providing Autistic children with alternative therapy through free SUP & Surf lessons.  Bringing aloha, surf & Hawaiian culture to the shores of Toronto for families in the autism community that cannot travel to Surfers Healing US Camps.

 

May – August 2014

CARE International www.care-international.org

“Defending Dignity. Fighting Poverty.”

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty by equipping impoverished communities with the proper resources to escape poverty. Improving basic education, preventing the spread of disease, increasing access to clean water and sanitation, expanding economic opportunity and protecting natural resources. They also deliver emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and help people rebuild their lives.

In the fiscal year 2013, CARE worked in 87 countries around the world, supporting 927 poverty-fighting development and humanitarian aid projects to reach more than 97 million people.


Sad News - REMINDER to Embrace Your Ohana July 10, 2014 19:30

My father passed away suddenly at the age of 63 due to health complications. During this emotional time, we will be absent from social media for a while, and the Aug 16th Event in Toronto is CANCELLED, as that will be the eve of his 40th Day Death Anniversary, and we will be spending it in solemn remembrance with our ohana.

We will be going forward with our tour dates in Vancouver, WA (Jul 25/26), San Francisco, CA (Aug 9) and Toronto, Canada (Aug 24) as that is what my father would’ve been proud to see. Just minutes after our social media launch on May 3rd, he was one of first to ‘Like’ the Mahalo Ke Akua Facebook Page, and we know he continues to smile down on this project.

We just have one ask of our followers out of this sad event… please EMBRACE YOUR OHANA always. Parents & Children, go right now, HUG EACH OTHER. If you are separated by distance, call them and SAY I LOVE YOU, it can never be said often enough. No matter what your family situation – broken, estranged, if there’s been a falling out, PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful signs that your heart is filled with aloha, and it’s never too late to reach out to family or friends that may have drifted. We hope that everyone finds it in their hearts to heal broken relationships, to LOVE MORE, and to LOVE DEEPLY. This world desperately needs more love, and ALOHA STARTS WITH OHANA.

I feel blessed that I was able to visit my father this past Christmas, and 8 months ago, spend one on one time with him on my birthday. I just wish I could’ve been by his side yesterday so that I LOVE YOU would’ve been the last words he heard before he left this world. My deepest prayer is that he’s hearing these words now. 

MAHALO KE AKUA for blessing me with a father through whom, by our life story, has taught me a great lessons on forgiveness, humility and love. Mahalo Ke Akua for blessing me with a mother who continues to be an example of grace, perseverance and unconditional love despite all circumstances. Mahalo Ke Akua for blessing me with a brother whose admirable strength and courage has always held, and continues to hold our ohana together through it all.