Kaiser Permanente Hawaii celebrated its 50th anniversary by awarding $100,000 in grants through statewide member, physician and employee events and by conducting food drives. A $50,000 grant was awarded to Hamakua Health Center Inc., a community-owned 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to provide accessible, quality health care and educational services regardless of an individual's ability to pay. Fifty community and health-related organizations received a $1,000 grant. More than $3,500 and more than 3,000 pounds of goods were donated to food banks on Maui, Oahu and the Big Island.

  The Hawaii Navy League honored spouses of service members deployed abroad. The spouses functioned as the volunteer communication and organizational focal point for deployed units. Honorees include Susan Panaro, Air Force; Lisa McCafferey, Army; Cereto Bean, Coast Guard; Lancia Stewart, Marines; Shiloh A. Pelchat, Navy; Florenda “;Pua”; Adona-Duropan, Hawaii Air Guard; Caroline Tumpap, Hawaii Army Guard; and Gayla Hammerstrom, Special Operations Command.

  Adult Friends for Youth was recognized as the Outstanding Community Mental Health Agency for helping disadvantaged youth create better lives. The award came from Mental Health America of Hawaii. AFY also received the 2008 Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth Award from the Hawaii State Legislature's Keiki Caucus, McDonald's Restaurant and Hawaii Children's Trust Fund.