Cruise to benefit Hawaiian group

Advertiser Staff

The Hawaiian Way Fund — a new philanthropic organization to raise money for Native Hawaiian initiatives — has set its first major fund-raising activity for July 3: an overnight cruise, marking the arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of Aloha in Hawai'i waters.

The Hawaiian Way Fund was launched in December by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), a nonprofit comprising more than 90 member organizations.

Council President Robin Puanani Danner said the fund will support grassroots organizations that need resources to carry out social, educational, economic and cultural initiatives to help Hawaiian communities.

CNHA is one of five local nonprofit organizations selected by Norwegian Cruise Lines to benefit from its July 3 Charity Cruise Fundraiser; other participating charities are Bishop Museum, Ready to Learn, USS Missouri and Child & Family Services.

The cruise ship Pride of Aloha will leave Aloha Tower at 4 p.m. July 3 and return there at 6 a.m. the next day.

Cabins are being offered at prices ranging from $300 to $1,250, which includes meals, live entertainment and other amenities aboard ship.

Organizations that will benefit from the proceeds include charter schools, affordable housing providers, community associations and hula halau.

The Hawaiian Way Fund also will support Native Hawaiian member organizations, the Native Hawaiian Conference and other programs. It also will offer various tax-deductible options for donors, including trust endowments and workplace pledge cards.

All cabins must be reserved and paid for by April 19. To reserve a cabin, or to learn more about the Hawaiian Way Fund, call Napali Woode or Brandi Lau at 521-5011; e-mail CNHA at info@hawaiiancouncil.org; or visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org.

Correction: Ready to Learn is one of five charities that will be helped by the Charity Cruise Fundraiser. It was incorrectly listed in a previous version of this story.