"There is a growing awareness among women that they can directly impact programs that help women and girls through the Women's Fund of Hawaii," said Sara Buehler, executive director of the fund, in a written statement. "We are getting more and more women volunteering to help, and our fund is growing. We are also thrilled that more organizations are submitting grants applications to us, and we can't wait until we are able to make more grants."

"The need is still greater than our support, but we're getting there, thanks to the more than 400 women who are now joined together in this effort. We see that our grants are making a difference and it is an incredible incentive for doing more," said fund chairwoman Gwen Pacarro.

Grant recipients for 2007:

-- $5,000 to Moloka'i General Hospital's Rural Health Clinic for its pilot project, the Lana'i Women's Center. The fund is providing increased funding to expand Rural Health Clinic hours on Lana'i from quarterly to monthly for Well Women Clinics and family planning services for teens and women. The goal is to reduce teen pregnancy and improve women's health outcomes.

-- $5,000 to Ka Hale Ola Makamae, a native Hawaiian case management service that uses traditional practices and cultural values to stabilize the health and well-being of HIV-positive Native Hawaiians. Funds will be used for a new HIV education program for Native Hawaiian girls, ages 13 to 22. HIV-positive women will share their experiences at Wai'anae Intermediate and Kailua Middle Schools. Prevention information will be shared with all students, regardless of HIV status.

-- $4,176 to Kualoa-Heeia Ecumenical Youth Project for a program designed in direct response to requests by teen girls in the area, who were so involved with their appearance they were frequently late to school. A workshop series will teach the girls how to stay physically fit, eat well, dress well and provide information on career options from various professionals. Overall goals are to increase self-esteem and confidence.

-- $3,762 to Legal Services for Children for the Waianae Women's Book Bank for Higher Education. Funds will be used to purchase course books for the Community Health Workers Program. One of the major obstacles for indigent women completing their education is the high cost of books. The majority of the women in this community college program are native Hawaiian single parents who are raising their children and working outside the home. The books will be saved for future generations of students.

-- $2,200 to Women of Waianae for an educational workshop series to encourage and help Wai'anae Coast women who are currently in or considering school. Presenters will include local professionals and former WOW recipients who are committed to being accessible beyond the workshops. Childcare and refreshments will be provided. WOW provides scholarships to nontraditional students from the Wai'anae Coast.

-- $1,000 for Hamakua Health Center Inc., for Ladies' Night Out, an educational and appreciation program for women who cared for the community and their families after the closing of the Hamakua Sugar Co. in 1993, with its aftermath of upheaval including substance abuse, unemployment and family violence.

The fund awarded these grants in conjunction with the endowment housed at the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Women's Fund of Hawai'i was founded in 1989 and resurrected in 2003 to raise resources for programs that benefit women and girls. The fund focuses on tapping into the enormous potential that women have to make a difference with their pocketbooks.

HOW TO HELP

The Women's Fund of Hawaii needs volunteers and contributions.