In recognition of the American Red Cross of Hawaii’s Centennial, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation has granted $15,000 to the Hawaii Red Cross Disaster Preparedness and Response Program with an emphasis on building community resiliency in Windward Oahu. 

“We are so grateful to receive this grant from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation,” said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross of Hawaii.  “Preparation is the best protection against disasters like home fires or hurricanes.  We need our local communities prepared for disasters before they occur and this grant will help us expand our reach.”

To build community resiliency, Hawaii Red Cross’ Home Fire Campaign aims to reduce death and injury from home fires by 25% by 2020.  Red Cross volunteers help to save lives by installing free smoke alarms in the homes of those in need and by teaches residents how to prevent and escape from home fires. Since its launch in 2014, over 3,000 smoke alarms have been installed in Hawaii homes and over 120 escape plans have been made. 

The Hawaii Red Cross also offers Pillowcase Project Presentations to children ages 5-8, where volunteers teach keiki how to cope with and prepare for disasters like home fires and hurricanes.  The Pillowcase Project, developed by the Red Cross following Hurricane Katrina, is a unique and innovative way to teach children about emergency preparedness by helping them create their own personal emergency supplies kit kept in a pillowcase personally decorated by the child.  The idea of the initiative is for children to learn disaster preparedness, practice the skills, and then share the information with their families to create more resilient multi-generational communities. 

The grant funding will help to increase the reach of the Hawaii Red Cross disaster preparedness and community resiliency initiatives throughout Windward Oahu communities. 

The Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization which provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it depends on public contributions to help others. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world.  To send a contribution, mail your check to: 

American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter

4155 Diamond Head Road

Honolulu, HI  96816

Make a secure online donation at redcross.org/hawaii  or call:  (808) 739-8109.