Originally published by American Savings Bank – Check out the full news release here.

American Savings Bank (ASB) announced the results of its 2025 Kahiau Giving Campaign, contributing more than $277,000 to four local nonprofits. This year, 94% of teammates participated in the annual employee-led initiative, a 2% increase from the prior year. Since its inception nearly 15 years ago, the Kahiau program has generated more than $4 million in total donations.

“Kahiau means ‘to give from the heart without expecting anything in return’ and reflects who we are at American Savings Bank,” said Ann Teranishi, president and CEO at American Savings Bank. “For 100 years, we’ve believed in helping Hawaii thrive by investing in our people and communities. This campaign is a reminder that when we come together with generosity and purpose, we can create lasting change. I’m grateful to our teammates for giving from the heart and continuing to bring real impact to Hawaii.”

2025 Kahiau Campaign Highlights

• 94% teammate participation – 2% increase from prior year
• $175,221 pledged by teammates
• $277,000 total donated with a match from the ASB Charitable Foundation
• More than $4 million donated since program launch

This year’s campaign carried special significance as part of ASB’s centennial celebration. ASB collaborated with Aloha Revolution to design a limited-edition 100 Years of Aloha shirt gifted to all teammates who contributed to the campaign. Ed Sugimoto, owner of Aloha Revolution and an ASB customer for more than 40 years, collaborated on the initiative as a tribute to ASB’s legacy of community giving.

On Wednesday, October 2nd, staff and supporters from businesses across Hawaiʻi bundled up to have some cold hard fun at the Ice Palace in Honolulu. 

American Savings Bank (ASB) put on their 7th annual Hawaiʻi Curling Club Charity Classic, and this year the recipient of the fundraiser was our mentee organization, We Are Oceania.

“At American Savings Bank, part of our vision is to make a real impact on the community,” said Michelle Bartell, Director of Community Advancement at ASB. “We were really inspired by the work We Are Oceania is doing with Micronesian families… we knew that we wanted to have them be the beneficiary of this year’s curling event.”

For the last four years, Partners in Development Foundation has been mentoring We Are Oceania on their path to non-profit 501(c)(3) status. We are proud to see how quickly they have become such a successful fixture serving thousands of Micronesian families. 

“To be a beneficiary of the event this year is almost hard to believe,” said Josie Howard, WAO’s Program Director. “The support we get from American Savings Bank and all the donors out there is going to further the work we do, and we’re going to be able to continue to […] serve the people.”

The curling event included demonstrations and talks from USA Curling Olympian Tyler George and Paralympian Steve Emt, who inspired the participants, staff and volunteers with his story of resilience and perseverance. 

We are grateful to partner with such a community-minded organization that is dedicated to giving back. Mahalo nui loa to ASB for all of their incredible hard work in making this year’s curling classic such a success! 

We are extremely fortunate to continue our Kahiau partnership with American Savings Bank (ASB). This year, we were one of five organizations to benefit from the generous campaign.

“We are deeply grateful to ASB for its substantial financial support over the years,” said Dr. Michael Chun, Chairman of the Board for Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF). “What is most important to me is our shared goals to improve the lives of those most in need, and to strengthen the health and well-being of our community.”

The mission of ASB’s campaign can be found in the definition of the Hawaiian word, “kahiau” which means, “to give from the heart without expecting anything in return.”

The corporate culture of ASB holds service to the community in utmost regard. Employees and their families are able to engage with service and giving in many different ways throughout the year, all facilitated through American Savings Bank.

95% of the bank’s more than 1,100 employees contributed to this year’s Kahiau Campaign, which ran from February to March and featured a “Lego Movie” theme.

ASB presented a check to PIDF at a presentation and pau hana reception. The event included an exclusive tour of ASB’s beautiful brand-new campus on the outskirts of Honolulu. Dr. Chun calls ASB’s decision to relocate its campus off of North Beretania Street “a mark of courage.”

“While others might have run from a depressed neighborhood, ASB ran to one of Honolulu’s most challenging communities” and in doing so, “demonstrate the highest level of corporate leadership and civic responsibility,” he said.

Mahalo nui loa and our warmest aloha to all of the American Savings Bank ʻohana for their continued generosity and partnership with our Foundation!

American Savings Bank (ASB) has been providing financial products and services to Hawaiʻi since 1925, and today is one of the state’s leading financial institutions. Fortune Magazine has recognized ASB as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women and 50 Best Workplaces for Diversity. For more than 90 years, ASB has been helping build strong communities. Through its “Seeds of Service” program, ASB teammates have contributed more than 36,000 hours of volunteer service, and ASB has donated millions of dollars to Hawai‘i’s nonprofits and community organizations.

The ASB volunteers and their families helped to lay pipe in the diversified crops area, cut lau in one of the nurseries, amd paint the foundation for a new farm mural, to be painted by 808 Urban.

Located on the Windward side of Oʻahu, Kupa ʻAina seeks to help develop sustainable food production models for Hawaiʻi nei.

The project utilizes a combination of Korean Natural Farming techniques and indigenous Hawaiian methods to create a practice that is uniquely Hawaiian and respectful of the land.

We mahalo ASB for their spirit of volunteerism and for continuing to be a valued partner to our efforts serving Hawaiʻi’s families and communities!

Over the course of two days, ASB managers and executives experienced a variety of cultural traditions including preparing the imu, cooking traditional foods, coconut palm weaving, chanting, and listening to Hawaiian legends. The story of ‘Umi and the concept of servant-leadership resonated with the group as they watched Rich Wacker, ASB President and CEO, step into the pit to set the pohaku (stones) and light the ahi (fire).

A major concept behind the practice of imu is Laulima – many hands coming together in unity. Alone, creating an imu would be a daunting task, but with the help of many friends the work goes quickly. The leaders of ASB were naturals at working together and made it through the variety of new challenges presented with ease.

As part of this traditional Hawaiian experience, participants prepared and cooked a 135 pound pig, 4 trays of lau lau, sweet potatoes, lomi salmon, luau stew, chicken long rice, kulolo, and haupia. After a feast at the end of the event, the excess food was donated to PIDF’s Ka Pa‘alana Homeless Family Education program for our many clients along the leeward coast of O‘ahu.

Many mahalos to American Savings Bank, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and Hui Nohona (the culture team) at the Partners in Development Foundation for making this wonderful event possible.

Giving back to the community is an essential part of ASB’s corporate culture, which we are very much grateful for. We appreciate their generosity and support, because they make it possible for us to continue doing what we do best, and that is building healthy and resilient communities.

ASB has been serving businesses and communities providing financial needs since 1925. It is still one of Hawaii’s leading institutions, providing beneficial tools, such as online & mobile banking with evening, weekend & holiday hours, that has made banking easier and more convenient for customers. Visit their website to learn how they can serve you today!

American Savings Bank considers community service an essential part of its corporate culture. Each year, ASB commits time and effort to various schools and community organizations through their Seeds of Service program.

Jan Dill, PIDF President and Chairman of the Board said, “We are truly grateful to know that American Savings Bank sees the value in encouraging its employees to be part of the solution.”

Volunteers helped with landscaping, light remodeling and painting of Hope Shelter residence rooms, and food preparation.

Aaron Mahi, PIDF Hawaiian Cultural Specialist Assistant, spoke about wahi pana (the significance of this place) within the larger ahupua‘a of Honouliuli. “We like to capitalize on every opportunity, by expanding the community’s understanding and knowledge of the culture and history that is significant about each place” said Mahi.

“There is no doubt that the needs in our state are many, but the generous and overwhelming support of the ASB ‘Ohana makes it possible for our programs to continue their mission.” said Dill.