Hawaii Self Storage is one of four recipients of the Inside Self-Storage 2009 Humanitarian Service Award. The award recognizes self-storage companies and professionals who support charitable causes. A $2,000 grant was given to the nonprofit organizations, projects, events or programs endorsed by the winners.
Because Hawaii Self Storage is locally owned and operated, its owner and employees believe they have a responsibility to give back to and invest in their community. Their passion is so strong they adopted the motto “community pride” to represent their commitment to serving the people of the state.
Over the past five years, the company’s charitable efforts have blossomed into nine community programs that have given out more than $250,000 in financial scholarships, books, sponsorships and donations. The programs are designed to invest in children’s education, athletics and literacy.
The company has implemented book drives and coordinated family events to support local high schools, libraries and charities. With the current financial crisis, Hawaii Self Storage has also stepped in to help families in need and support other local charities and organizations.
Giving Back
Hawaii Self Storage has five locations on the island of Oahu, with each facility averaging 1,700 units. The facilities feature state-of-the-art security, 24-hour access and staffing, loading docks, business centers and conference rooms.
As part of its community philanthropy, Hawaii Self Storage has four programs in its community-pride outreach initiative:
- Rent to Charity invites new self-storage customers to donate their first month’s rent to the non-profit organization of their choice, with all 501(c)3 entities eligible to receive donations. “This is our way of encouraging our customers to follow our lead and get involved,” says Daniel Ho, company president. Hawaii Self Storage budgeted $10,000 for advertising to promote Rent to Charity and ensure Hawaii non-profit organizations reap the benefits of this program. “We hope this new program can make a difference, one locker at a time,” Ho says.
- The Transition Assistance Program, launched nearly a year ago, assists residents experiencing financial difficulties with free storage for a minimum of four months.
- Scholarships have provided more than $109,000 in $1,000 per year, renewable for graduating seniors to apply to their higher-education costs for up to four years.
- Literacy Programs have annually collected books to benefit Hawaii Literacy’s Book Mobile by offering customers a $2 credit for every donation. More than 4,000 books and educational games were collected in 2007. “As a locally owned company, we’ve made it our mission to help the community, and we support programs aimed at enhancing literacy, education and teamwork among Hawaii’s youth,” Ho says.
Each Hawaii Self Storage location also sponsors youth athletic teams, donating approximately $4,000 per facility, and makes donations to other local charities.
Taking the Lead
Being named a recipient of the ISS Humanitarian Service Award was “truly an honor,” says Shaun Salvador, vice president of marketing and sales. “This is our first award that recognizes our effort in the community aside from our everyday business. It exemplifies a part of our culture, what we call the ‘aloha spirit in Hawaii—taking care of the people by providing the best storage services and reinvesting in the community through our outreach programs.”
Owner Mike Wood and the staff of Hawaii Self Storage lead by example and hope other companies will follow in their quest to help the Hawaiian community. “Giving back should not be an option, it is a responsibility,” Salvador says. “It is important that all companies realize this; we all depend on each other to survive and succeed.”
For more information about Hawaii Self Storage and its community programs, call 808.949.7233; visit www.hawaiiselfstorage.net.
