HFS In the Community – November

PINK Out Color Run

This year’s PINK Out Color Run in Hilo was held on November 2^nd at the Civic Auditorium. A team of HFS staff members attended and had a blast completing the 5K Run/Walk while getting covered in pink powder to support Breast Cancer Awareness. HFS also donated a free Guri-Guri ice cream to each registered participant to help beat the Hilo heat! Mahalo to the American Cancer Society for putting on such an excellent event for Hilo town each year. We look forward to next year!

Hilo High Reality Workshop

We love when we get the opportunity to bring our Reality Workshop to a new group of students. We visited with a class at Hilo High School and let them navigate the world of budgeting. They each got a profile with their career, their spouse, a child and even had debt to start off with. They had to figure out their monthly household budget and make spending choices while trying to live within their means. Students shared their feedback with us throughout the exercise and expressed that budgeting was not as easy as they thought. Mahalo to Hilo High School for having us and to Hawaii Rise Foundation for connecting us with this class.

High School Career Expo

Being a student in high school, it can be difficult to know what career field you want to get into – especially when there are so many options! We attended the High School Career Expo on November 14^th at the National Guard Armory. A total of 600 students from around the island came spoke with us and the many other career representatives in attendance. We had the opportunity to share with the students what a credit union is and the many different career opportunities available to them in the financial industry.

Connections PCS Students Get Caught Up on Finances

On November 15^th, the Credit Union did a money management presentation at Connections Public Charter School. From explaining the difference between banks and credit unions, budgeting, credit and lending, and even fraud and identity theft – we were able to give the students a comprehensive overview of money. This valuable information gives them a head start when they are out of school and managing their finances on their own.

St. Joseph School PWH Scholars Presentation

St. Joseph School reached out to us to give a presentation on credit and all things lending to their group of PWH Scholars. The group of students had fantastic questions about credit scores, credit cards, loans and how all of these things could impact them later in life. Mahalo St. Joseph for inviting us to share such important information with your students!

Youth Challenge Cadets Get a Reality Check

We were invited to the Youth Challenge Academy – in collaboration with Hawai’i Rise Foundation – to host a Reality Workshop with three different groups of cadets. In the workshop, the cadets received a profile of a mock future life where they have a career, spouse, and child and now need to make financial decisions within a budget. The cadets were shocked by how expensive things like food and child care are. We visited them again a month and a half later to provide a comprehensive overview of money – including budgeting, credit scores, credit cards, loans, identity theft and more.

HMSA Akamai Living Fair

Just like the one in Hilo, we visited Kona on November 22^nd for HMSA’s Akamai Living Fair. We spoke to our island’s senior citizens about financial wellness and helped educate them on the signs of identity theft and scams, and how to avoid becoming a victim. Thank you to HMSA and the County of Hawai’i for providing an excellent event for Hawai’i island.

Junior Achievement Trade Fair

Eco-Aloha, a Junior Achievement Mini Company sponsored by HFS Federal Credit Union, presented their eco-friendly products at Prince Kuhio Plaza on November 29^th and 30^th during peak Black Friday shopping. They featured two products – the first was a reusable glass mason jar with a colorful grommet and reusable metal straw (that comes with a cleaner!). The second product was a pair of reusable wooden chopsticks, which came in a muslin carrying bag. We can’t wait to see the outcome of this Junior Achievement season and we’re so proud of this group of students!