Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kristin Frost Albrecht, executive director of The Food Basket, Inc., Hawaii Island’s lone food bank was one of five Hawaii nonprofit executives recently announced as recipients of the 19th annual Ho‘okele Award, a special recognition given to exceptional leaders in Hawaii’s nonprofit sector by the Hawaii Community Foundation.
The Ho‘okele Award pays tribute to leaders from the nonprofit sector — the guiding forces in the community who strive to make Hawaii a better place. Named for the ho‘okele, or steersman, the award recognizes the significant role that a nonprofit leader plays in improving the quality of life for Hawaii’s people.
“These hardworking and inspiring individuals have devoted years of service to our communities,” said Micah Kane, CEO and president of the Hawaii Community Foundation. “All of our awardees deserve recognition for their extraordinary leadership, and we hope the Ho‘okele Award provides an opportunity for rejuvenation given the demanding nature of working in the nonprofit sector.”
Each Ho‘okele Award recipient receives $10,000 to be used for their professional development and personal renewal. Past recipients have used the funds for travel, retreats, home renovation projects, or other pursuits. Since 2002, $760,000 has been awarded to 79 nonprofit leaders statewide, the majority of whom remain in the nonprofit sector. In 2017, HCF’s Board of Governors created the Kelvin Taketa Ho‘okele Leadership Award Fund in honor of Taketa’s visionary leadership as former CEO of HCF. The fund ensures that the Ho‘okele Award will continue in perpetuity.
Ho‘okele Award recipients are selected based on community nominations and their ability to think strategically and get results, bring different groups of people together, inspire others, make a difference in Hawaii, and enthusiastically share their knowledge.
Albrecht, the executive director of The Food Basket, oversees offices and warehouses in Hilo and Kona with a mission to end hunger on Hawaii Island. The nonprofit focuses on ending hunger at its roots through the development and administration of innovative anti-hunger programs that provide nutrition security and increased affordable healthy access for food insecure residents.
Through her leadership, Hawaii has successfully applied and received funding through the federal Double Up Food Bucks program which doubles electronic transfer (EBT) benefits when participants purchase locally grown produce. The program continues to grow and benefits low-income households around the state. In the last couple of years the program has expanded to more retailers, and benefits now include locally raised proteins.
Also receiving the award were Twinkle Borge, leader at Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae, a village of 250 people living unhoused on state land adjacent to the Wai‘anae Boat Harbor; Jeff Gilbreath, executive director at Hawaiian Community Assets, a local community development nonprofit that administers Hawaii’s largest nonprofit HUD-approved housing counseling program and the nation’s first-and-only statewide network of Financial Opportunity Centers; Sandy Ma, executive director for Common Cause Hawaii, a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy; and Darryl J. Vincent, chief operating officer for U.S. VETS, which is working to end homelessness for veterans and providing comprehensive care services including housing, workforce development, mental health and wellness, and individualized support.
Know a Hometown Hero who should be highlighted next Wednesday? It can be anybody, from a youngster doing good for the community, to a professional helping with the COVID-19 pandemic, or even a kupuna! Please send your nominations to cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com with the subject: Hometown Heroes Nomination. Please include the hero’s name, contact information and what makes them a hero.