Kalihi Keiki Receive Essential School Supplies Through Community Partnership

For the eighth consecutive year, children living at the Towers at Kuhio Park housing community began their school year with the supplies they need to succeed in the classroom, thanks to a sustained partnership between the Island Insurance Foundation and Better Tomorrows.

On a Friday morning in late July of 2025, over 375 keiki gathered in the building's community hall to receive personalized bags of school supplies. The distribution event, organized and staffed by volunteers from Island Insurance's employee-led Ho'ohana Club, addresses a significant financial burden that affects many families throughout Hawai'i's communities. We've been proud to support this program for eight years, demonstrating our institutional commitment to educational equity in our local communities.

According to the National Retail Federation's 2025 survey, families with K-12 students planned to spend an average of $144 per child on essential back to school supplies in the 2025 school year [1]. For families at the Towers at Kuhio Park, an income-restricted low-income housing community, this expense represents a substantial financial burden.

Judi Flores, a premium audit reviewer at Island Insurance and 2025 president of the Ho'ohana Club, emphasized the intentionality behind the effort. "I personally enjoy giving back to the community by creating service opportunities just like this one," Flores said. "Our keiki's needs are very important, and we will continue to be a part of the change we want to see for future generations."

The significance of this program extends beyond the immediate financial relief it provides. Access to appropriate school supplies can directly impact student performance, classroom participation, and educational confidence. Students who arrive at school without necessary materials may face disadvantages, from the inability to complete assignments to the social challenges of being unprepared.

For the 375 keiki who walked away with new school supplies this year, the message is clear: their education matters, their community supports them, and they have the tools they need to succeed. At Island Insurance, we believe that foundation of support and preparedness is something every child deserves when starting the school year.

Reference

National Retail Federation. (2025, July 15). Back-to-school season begins early for majority of shoppers [Press release]. https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/back-to-school-season-begins-early-for-majority-of-shoppers