We are delighted to share the launch of our newly redesigned website! As we continue to refine, please contact us if you have any suggestions and let us know what you think about our new look.

On July 1, 2023, we held a retreat between the outgoing and incoming Board of Directors to plan out the (fiscal) year. We examined communication as an initiative in more ways than one. Internally, how to engage members even across oceans. Externally, how to seek, inspire, and recognize supporters of our mission. Profoundly, how to provide ongoing support for our recipients. Hence, our theme for this term:

Ka leo o ke ola.

The voice of life.

Said of any helpful advice or suggestion, or of a kindly invitation to eat.

-Mary Kawena Pukui, ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings #1440

Since then, while we have been working on improving our communication:

• We traveled to Dublin, Ireland for the Soroptimist International Convention to tackle intersectional issues disproportionately affecting women and girls. Ethical globalization and environmental sustainability emerged as common themes. We urgently need to preserve the resources of Mother Earth in service of our mission to help women and girls. With current United Nations Representatives in New York, Geneva, Vienna, Rome, Paris, Nairobi, and Bangkok, Soroptimists are a powerful voice for women in 118 countries, especially on behalf of those whose own voices are suppressed within their communities.
• We held a Back-to-School Drive for underprivileged high school girls on full-tuition scholarships, 100% of whom are ethnic minorities, mainly Polynesian and Micronesian. We gathered donations of school supplies as well as feminine hygiene products, socks, deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner.
• 2023 Ruby Award Recipient Kimberly Nabarro and 2023 Live Your Dream Award Recipient Ashley Viluan updated us on their current roles at EPIC ʻOhana (Effective Planning and Innovative Communication), which works to strengthen ʻohana and enhance the welfare of children and youth through transformative processes that are respectful, collaborative, and solution-oriented. They are able to offer their lived experiences and belief that recovery is possible to support women navigating the Child Welfare System, struggling with addiction during pregnancy, and feeling that they don’t deserve to be a mother to their children.
• We traveled to Guam to attend the District V Meeting with SI/Central Oʻahu, SI/Guam, SI/Honolulu, SI/Maui, SI/the Marianas, SI/North Oʻahu, SI/the Northern Mariana Islands, SI/Palau, and the Founder Region Board.

• Through the Salvation Army we adopted two families struggling to look forward to a grim holiday season. One who lives in a one-bedroom apartment and mom is a cancer survivor, and the other the kids being raised by their grandparents on a fixed income. With our donations and well wishes we were able to support and uplift two families going through a very hard time.
• We came out in force to cheer on the UH Wahine Basketball team, whose games are notably less attended than the men’s. We made it on the jumbo TV cube multiple times for our team spirit and we look forward to continuing to support the girls both on and off the court.

These are just some highlights in between the hard work of our committees to accomplish our programs. Keep in mind that we are all volunteers doing the best we can, no matter when or how often. Let us continue to raise up the voices of women and girls and educate, empower, and enable them to live their dreams.