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About Aloha for Japan Project

   Hawaii business leaders, members of the Japanese American community, and Lt. Governor Brian Schatz convened to organize a coordinated, statewide effort to collect donations for victims of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. Lt. Governor Schatz, who was asked by Governor Neil Abercrombie to help coordinate Japan relief efforts, also consulted all four county mayors by telephone.

   Hawaii's largest banking institutions, including American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank, Home Street Bank, Pacific Rim Bank, and Territorial Savings Bank, have all agreed to serve as collection points for monetary donations. This coordinated, statewide effort, entitled "Aloha for Japan," builds upon programs already initiated by individual banks to accept donations.

   Those wishing to contribute to this relief effort can make donations directly with branch tellers at participating banks. Checks should be made payable to "Aloha for Japan."

   This is the first of many initiatives being launched by the Aloha for Japan committee. Musical concerts and TV programs are also being developed.

   "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims. We stand in support and solidarity with Japan as they begin to recover from this tragedy," Lt. Governor Schatz stated. "I am so pleased with the generosity, cooperation and compassion of so many people throughout Hawaii. In this time of great crisis across the Pacific, it's time for all of us to show our aloha for Japan."

   Donation checks can also be mailed to: Aloha for Japan, 2454 South Beretania Street, Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96826.

   The Aloha for Japan committee was inspired in part by the collaborative efforts of local designers who formed a joint venture, GRP (pronounced "group") HOME Company. This group designed an "ALOHA" t-shirt, incorporating the rising sun, emblematic of the Japanese flag.

   Consul General Yoshihiko Kamo has expressed his great appreciation for those initiatives under the Aloha for Japan Project, and his hope that this project will be able to help the victims recover from the tragedy