Hawaii Self Storage (HSS) and its owner, Mike Wood, were honored on Oct. 28 in a ceremony to recognize Outstanding Advocates for Children and Youth. The award, which recognizes groups and individuals who go above and beyond to help Hawaii’s “keiki,” was presented to Wood and nine other recipients by Governor Linda Lingle and state representative John Mizuno.
In addition to offering a scholarship program for high school students, HSS launched a Lockers for Literacy initiative, and Wood donated $9.2 million of his own money to create Ho'omalu O Na Kamali'I, a safe haven for children on the Leeward side of Oahu. HSS also offers a Transition Assistance Program and participates in numerous community-outreach efforts. The company invests $150,000 annually to programs that support youth education and athletics.
HSS has provided more than $200,000 renewable scholarships for graduating seniors of public high schools. It has helped 58 students since the program began in 2005. This year, a member of its first class of scholars graduated from college.
In 2007, HSS implemented its Lockers to Literacy program that provides two books each to local first graders to promote literacy. With every new locker rental, HSS donates $2 from its profit to this fund. HSS expects to purchase more than $15,000 worth of books in 2010 for 15 elementary schools.
Each HSS location also sponsors two youth athletic teams, donating approximately $4,000 per facility to the teams for uniforms and equipment.
Over the past three years, HSS has partnered with the Lokahi Giving Project, which works to gather donations of goods, cash and equivalents for struggling individuals. HSS is an official drop-off location for this well-known project, raising awareness and storing donations.
In September, HSS partnered with the Aloha United Way, raising awareness of its new “Load the Locker” campaign and encouraging donations of toiletries for emergency and crisis-service agencies.
HSS is Hawaii's largest self storage company, with facilities in Kaimuki, Kapolei, Mililani, Pearl City and Salt Lake. The company was a 2009 winner of the Inside Self-Storage Humanitarian Service Award.
Source: Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii Self Storage and Owner Mike Wood both honored
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