HONOLULU – With hurricane season upon us, First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) recently distributed 1,000 hurricane care packages containing nearly two tons of food to local kupuna in partnership with Hawaii Meals on Wheels (HMOW). FICOH employees donated food items and assembled the care packages during their lunch breaks over the last few weeks.
“We decided to create care packages for kupuna this hurricane season as a way to help a vulnerable segment of our population weather out a major storm,” said Kaela Wasnich, senior communications specialist for FICOH. “When we reached out to our longtime partners at Hawaii Meals on Wheels, they were excited to take part and assist with the distribution.”
Each kit includes supplies such as emergency water storage bags, a hurricane safety kit, and a variety of non-perishable food items. FICOH partnered with various organizations to secure items for the care packages, including Y. Hata & Co., Ltd., Hawaii's largest locally owned and operated foodservice distributor, which donated 1,000 cans of Spam.
“Y. Hata was proud to donate Spam for the hurricane care packages. Like FICOH, we are committed to our island community that has served us well for more than 108 years,” said Unyong Nakata, senior director of sales and merchandising for Y. Hata & Co., Ltd. “We believe nobody should be without food and aloha especially during times like now when recovery is gaining traction.”
The effort was carefully planned, with FICOH associates playing a critical role each step of the way.
“Our first step was holding a food drive here at FICOH,” said Suzun Weeks-Pell, facilities manager at FICOH. “Then we backfilled by ordering non-perishable food from various suppliers. The last piece of the puzzle was packing the kits, which our associates did in efficient, assembly-line fashion.”
Once the care packages were ready, they were delivered to HMOW for distribution to the nonprofit’s kupuna clients.
“FICOH has been a wonderful partner to HMOW for the last 13 years,” said Michelle Cordero-Lee, chief executive officer of HMOW. “We appreciate their efforts to help kupuna this hurricane season. Our kupuna feel remembered and truly blessed to receive these care packages in addition to their regular meal service.”
About First Insurance Company of Hawaii
Founded in 1911, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. is the oldest and largest property and casualty insurer domiciled in Hawaii, with assets of $666.4 million, liabilities of $399.5 million, and policyholders’ surplus of $266.8 million as of December 31, 2020.
First Insurance, a member of the Tokio Marine North America (TMNA) group of companies, enjoys an “A+” rating from A.M. Best Co. Proud of its broadly experienced, service-oriented staff, First Insurance employs 300 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 26 independent general agencies. First Insurance was awarded the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Gold Achievement for 2020. In 2021, First Insurance was named Hawaii’s number one Best Places to Work in the "large company" category by Hawaii Business magazine.