By Liza Simon / Ka Wai Ola Loa

In the midst of the worst economic recession in modern memory, it's no surprise that monetary donations to non-profit organizations are dwindling, according to many reports. But in Hawai'i, it appears that less kālā in the pocket doesn't necessarily mean less time for helping others.

Many local non-profits with charitable missions are citing steady numbers of volunteers. "This is certainly a bright spot for non-profit agencies that operate on shoestring budgets and depend on volunteers as their lifeblood," said Susan Doyle, Executive Director of the Aloha United Way. Doyle also said that her agency relies on a corps of 300 volunteers in partnering with 96 partner organizations that deliver more than 500 local programs to needy families and individuals throughout Hawai'i.

But Doyle is quick to add that the good news is tempered by the need for more people to volunteer, as increased job loss fuels more demand for volunteer-driven charity services. One indicator is that calls to 211, the Aloha United Way's 24-hour helpline, have increased over last year by more than 30 percent, said Doyle.

Likewise, Helping Hands Hawai'i, with its mission of delivering food and clothing and other basic necessities to the Isle's neediest, has not seen a drop in volunteers, but it has experienced a growing demand for its services, said Michelle Ng, a Helping Hands program coordinator. Ng said the number of people asking the agency for food assistance has increased 90 percent in 2009 over last year. "We've been fortunate to have volunteers who stick with us," said Ng.

Ng said the agency's holiday season Adopt-a-Family program, which matches donors with struggling families is "not an easy job for volunteers, but those who help with this program and they are very patient and effective." She said that public appreciation for volunteers has grown in direct proportion to the need for more Hawai'i residents to get into the act.

Agencies in search of volunteers have long counted on retirees, but many are now tapping into groups of young people as a result of school emphasis on service learning programs, which combine academic learning with credit for on-the-job learning at non-profit agencies. "Many college students see this as a chance to build their resume at a time when jobs are hard to find, and they are very enthusiastic about coming out and acquiring knowledge and skills as volunteers," said Bob Franco, director of Kap'iolani Community College's Service Learning program, which includes a specific "pathway" in Native Hawaiian culture.

Back-to-back natural disasters earlier this year in Asia and the Pacific spurred a cross-section of Hawai'i residents into volunteer action, said Coralie Matayoshi, CEO of the Hawai'i State Chapter of the American Red Cross. In organizing disaster relief for American Sāmoa in the wake of the October 29 tsunami, Matayoshi said her agency called up some its 4,000 local volunteers, which outnumber the local chapter's paid staff by a ratio of 4 to 1. Some helped to organize Red Cross fundraising drives that made Hawai'i the top donor of all fifty states in giving aid to the affected U.S. territory.

Red Cross volunteers undergo specialized training, which in the case of the Sāmoan tsunami, included education in Sāmoan cultural customs for those dispatched to work on clean-up efforts in hard-hit Tutuila, the territory's main island. But existing bonds of Polynesian culture made the Hawai'i Red Cross team especially attuned to be of service in the difficult job, said Matayoshi, who adds that volunteerism aligns well with the Polynesian custom of bonding together to help the less fortunate—even those who live outside the immediate community. "Native Hawaiians have had a strong tradition of leadership in this type of assistance," said Matayoshi, citing Princess Ka'iulani's lead role in establishing the local Red Cross chapter in 1898 to help wounded soldiers, who landed in Honolulu on return from battles in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.

But why take time in this economic downturn to lift hopes for others? Agency professionals contacted for this story agreed that the reasons are as varied as individual volunteers. From the many Native Hawaiians who willingly lend a hand to others, Ka Wai Ola Loa asked a few to describe the rewards of being a volunteer. Here are their answers:

Amoy Lau

Elizabeth "Amoy" Lau

Six decades of service with numerous Hawaiian Civic Clubs on O'ahu and with the United Chinese Society of Hawai'i; daily caretaker for a severely disabled adult grandchild.

"I learned so many cultural practices from my Grandmother, who lived until she was 97 years old. The civic clubs gave me a chance to apply this knowledge. From the time I was a teenager, I helped civic clubs with their big events. Anything I was asked – like lei-making for hundreds of people – I would do. This is also how I was raised; My father ran a family business and customers supported us, so I show my gratitude for their support by giving back whenever I can. As for my disabled mo'opuna, the Lord helps me to help to care for her, even though it is hard work. I am less than five feet tall and she is bigger than me, but I am able to carry her, because of the strength that comes from our Lord.

Kawika Ayau

Kawika Ayau

As a member of the Aloha United Way Society of Young leaders, joins with teams of young peers to donate time and services to AUW-supported non-profit organizations.

"Volunteering with AUW means stepping out of my comfort zone and really learning to have compassion for people who find themselves really down on their luck. This year, we visited the Institute for Human Services and helped put on holiday parties for mothers and children. Many are there to get away from abusive circumstances. When I listened to their stories, I became aware that we are so much the same. Stereotypes about homeless people don't apply. Being with the AUW (Society of Young Leaders) makes it easy to volunteer, because I am truly part of a caring community.

Peter Mattoon

Peter Mattoon

Mentor to youth in distress, in addition to working as a full-time program manager for Catholic Charities.

"Volunteerism is in my blood. My parents were involved in many Hawaiian rights issues, such as land use. They gave their sweat for these causes. I grew up doing regular activities, like beach clean-ups with the idea that it was the right thing to contribute our time. When friends approached me recently about mentoring a particular young man who was off-track in life, it was appealing, because I could still remember what it was like to be that age, have a lot of energy but not know quite what to do with it. He took the first step in agreeing to attend (a special program for troubled youths). Now he is taking responsibility for his future and about to graduate. Getting a good result like this is the most appealing thing about volunteering."

Kanani Selesa Pu'u-Warren

Kanani Selesa Pu'u-Warren

With her teammates from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Wahine softball team, participated with UH athletes at Aloha Stadium to raise donations for the Sāmoan tsunami relief fund of the Hawai'i chapter of the Red Cross.

"Our coach (Bob Coolen) has us do community service. This is our way to show our appreciation for all the people who come out to support us as a team. As students, we don't have money to donate to important causes but we give our time. I also come from a big Polynesian family where I was brought up to share. Many of my teammates have roots like me — in Hawai'i and Sāmoa. Our Polynesian background brings us together on and off the field. So helping the Sāmoan tsunami victims was very much a part of our teamwork in helping friends and family. There were 24 of us (from the Wahine softball team) at Aloha stadium on the day of the UH-Fresno game. We fanned out with (Red Cross donation containers). We found that people were very, very generous, no matter if they were there for the home team or not. It was a joy to be there that day."

Alice Hewett

Alice Hewett

Donated time to the Police Activities League (P.A.L.) for more than thirty years; helps with youth basketball, volleyball and Little League baseball; provided volunteer instruction at Waimānalo Elementary School. Numerous other volunteer activities with local churches, Rotary club, civic groups and hālau. (Aunty Alice is also the mother of kumu hula Frank Hewett.)

"I always believed that volunteering for P.A.L. was a good way to keep our children off the streets. I've been at it so long that I know it works. People come up to me in public all the time and say, 'Aunty Alice, I remember you from such-and-such league.' There they are — all grown up and raising families of their own. And they still remember the good times they had in sports. They want their children to have the same good experiences. One of the rewards of helping others is it keeps you active in your mind and body. I had a stroke recently, but volunteering fits in with doctors orders. They tell me, 'stay busy and don't be a couch potato.' "

Nicole Medeiros

Nicole Medeiros

As part of service learning at Kapi'olani Community College, has helped with many Hawaiian-focused environmental projects, including the cleaning of the restoration of a fishpond in Kāne'ohe.

"I love going to remote Hawaiian sites we visit as part of our service learning projects. We develop relationships with the caretakers and learn from them about these special places. We get into the lo'i and pull the invasive weeds so that the kalo will grow. At the He'eia loko i'a, we cut back the guava and mangrove so that the water will circulate more freely. A big reward for me is looking around and imagining all the Hawaiian hands that went into putting this fishpond together more than 100 years ago. I think of them as still looking down on us and being thankful for our work."

Gina Lista

Gina Lista

For three years, gave her time regularly to the Helping Hands Hawai'i Clearinghouse, which provides clothing, furniture and household items to individuals experiencing economic difficulties.

"It's been a great experience volunteering at the Clearinghouse, because I got to learn a lot about human nature. As a psychology major, this was very appealing to me. I guess volunteering comes to me naturally. I am the youngest of seven children. I never thought it was a problem to share. My Dad came from a family of 14. It feels right to me to help others in hardship."

For more information on volunteer opportunities, visit:

• volunteerhawaii.org
  
• helpinghandshawaii.org
  
• catholiccharitieshawaii.org
  
• hawaiiredcross.org
  

For more information on service learning opportunities through Kapi'olani Community College, call (808) 734-9353