HAWAII CENTRAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION WORKS TO MAKE A DENT IN NURSING SHORTAGE CRISIS, AWARDS FIRST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Mar 4, 2024 | Keiki, Press Room, Chaminade

HONOLULU, HI—“I’m thankful I’m going to be a nurse and it will be, in part, because of Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union (FCU),” said Jasmine-Kortney Young-Gusman, the first ever awardee of the Hawaii Central FCU Nursing Scholarship.

“I graduate in Spring 2026, and plan to continue working in Hawai’i either in the Emergency Room or in the Operating room,” said Jasmine who added that she works well under pressure and feels called back to the high-pressure settings of the Emergency and Operating rooms.

“Jasmine’s story of fighting through adversity is heartwarming. We are so proud to be a part of her educational journey and celebrate with her as she hits such an important milestone in that journey,” said Hawaii Central FCU President Drake Tanabe, who added that Jasmine and her story exemplify our mission and the community of people we aim to serve at Hawaii Central FCU.

Jasmine earned her white coat at a ceremony on March 2, 2024. For Jasmine and others in her cohort, the ceremony is the midway marker of their time at Chaminade and the beginning of their clinical rotations.

She fought through tears as she relayed her story as the first in her family to attend college. Jasmine said the scholarship brought her the validation she needed, knowing that people in the community believed in her potential.

Before attending Chaminade, she shared that she worked for eight years as a Medical Assistant with Straub where she became a certified ECG and Phlebotomy technician—gaining experience in the Emergency Room, Operating Room, and Urology Department.

While there, she enjoyed a sense of fulfillment and happiness through building meaningful connections with her patients over the years.

That sense of fulfillment, along with the birth of her first child, prompted Jasmine to pursue a degree in Nursing. She says the scholarship has really helped her meet her school expenses and maintain balance with her responsibilities at home with her 2-year-old son.

HAWAII CENTRAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CELEBRATES CREDIT UNION YOUTH MONTH 2024

Mar 29, 2024 | Ohana, Keiki

April is Credit Union Youth Month:

Help young ones learn about financial literacy by exposing them early to the idea of sound money habits. Wondering where to start? Here are a few ideas to help get you started:

Earning Money:

This fundamental concept helps them understand the value of money and the effort needed to earn it. Encourage them to earn money by doing house chores or other jobs around the house.

Setting Savings Goals:

Help them plan for things they want to buy, like a new toy or game. A simple piggy bank and writing down how much they have saved versus how much they need will help! They can also open a savings account at the credit union and learn to start banking.

Counting Money:

Instill money-counting skills using different coins and notes. Depending on their age, introduce them to various payment methods, including cash and mobile payments, explaining how each transaction is completed.

Charity and Gifts:

Encourage them to spend part of their money on charity or buying presents for friends, fostering a sense of generosity and community belonging.

Delayed Gratification:

Teach them the value of hard work and the benefits of saving for something they want rather than making impulse purchases.

By incorporating these money lessons into your child’s routine, you can pave the way toward their financial success. Better yet, get them started with their very own savings account at the credit union!

Open a Savings Account Today!

Count those Coins!

We have our own in-lobby coin counting machine. Located in the main branch lobby, members may bring in coins and deposit them or trade them in for dollar bills at no charge once per month.

See Map

Enter our Drawing!

Download a coloring sheet, have fun coloring, and submit by April 30th to enter our drawing for a $100 Visa gift card. See full contest rules here.

Download & Print Coloring Pages

Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union Staff Volunteers Support Maui Fire Victims

Sep 18, 2023 | COMMUNITY, Ohana, Press Room

Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union Staff Volunteers Support Maui Fire Victims

ICU Day 2023

Oct 20, 2023 | COMMUNITY, Ohana

International Credit Union Day 2023

We celebrated International Credit Union Day on October 19th. This year, in celebration of International Credit Union Day, we are running an 11-month Share Certificate with a special 4.75% APY*. This is a limited time offer, so hurry in if you want to take advantage. Feel free to share information on the special rate with friends and family who could use the boost!

In addition to hearing about the Share Certificate, members who visited our branch this year were greeted at the door and presented with a tasty treat and encouraged to take a selection of promotional items with them.

International Credit Union Day (ICU Day) exists to raise awareness and celebrate what makes credit unions unique: a mission to bring financial inclusion and well-being to people all over the world.

Since its inception in 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated through outreach, volunteering, fundraising and other activities. In 2023, we mark this celebration’s historic 75th anniversary. This milestone offers us the unique opportunity to acknowledge the tireless effort of credit union employees while celebrating members the world over. [Cuna.org]

*APY: Annual Percentage Yield. APY is accurate as of September 14, 2023. Earn 4.75% APY for a 11-month term certificate. APY is subject to change at any time without notice. Fees may reduce earnings. Penalties may apply for early withdrawals. Minimum $1,000 deposit requirement to open a personal account. Minimum $25,000 deposit requirement to open a business account. All funds used to open the 11-month certificate account must originate from another financial institution. See Truth-in-Savings disclosure for more information.

Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union Supports the Institute for Human Services as they Celebrate their 45th Anniversary

Aug 10, 2023 | COMMUNITY, Ohana, Press Room

Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union Supports the Institute for Human Services as they Celebrate their 45th Anniversary

June 13, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaii –In response to concerns highlighted in the new report by UHERO, a group of staff volunteers from Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union (FCU) volunteered their time at the Institute of Human Services (IHS), intending to help with getting much-needed meals out to the homeless community on Oahu.

The UHERO report entitled The Hawaii Housing Factbook, documented that Hawaii has the fourth highest homelessness rate in the United States. According to the report, fewer than one third of households in Hawai`i can afford the typical local home.

Celebrating 45 years of service with the help of the community, IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell said, “The spirit of volunteerism by HCFCU is the kind of community involvement that made a huge difference back when IHS first started and is key to us keeping our doors open and people fed. Current staff shortages mean a volunteer might be the one that ensures a guest receives dinner or gets their pillow and blanket for the night.”

Many of these guests had been living on the streets of Oahu without access to cooking facilities and unable to meet their basic daily needs before entering the shelter for respite. The team made time after work over the evening of July 11th and returned after work last evening to serve up a hearty chicken dinner, courtesy of IHS. The team also helped to prep breakfast for this morning.

“It was a very humbling experience,” said Hawaii Central FCU Consumer Loan Officer and volunteer Jorge Phillip Lafedez.

Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union Presents HUGS with a Check

Aug 8, 2023 | Ohana, Keiki, Press Room

Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union Presents HUGS with a Check

August 1, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaii – HUGS Executive Director Amy Morton-Sogi and Development Director Alex Wereszczynskyj stopped by the Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union (FCU) Main branch on King Street where they were presented with a check in the amount of $1,052.00. Last week, a team of ten staff volunteers cooked up some local favorites for co-workers in exchange for a fifteen-dollar donation. The team sold 51 plate lunches, and presented 100% of the proceeds to HUGS, yesterday afternoon.
Morton-Sogi said, “We support families with seriously ill children to provide both emotional and financial support to local families.” Monthly programs include mom’s and dad’s nights, family events and respite activities for HUGS kids and their siblings.
Quite surprised by the outpouring of love, Wereszczynskyj asked how Hawaii Central FCU chose HUGS. Employee group member Kien Bayawa explained it was a group decision. After selecting five non-profit organizations, each member of the group reviewed their missions and a general overview of their activities, and the “majority of the team voted for HUGS.”

Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union Volunteers Raise Funds to Support HUGS

July 26, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaii – In an effort to raise money for the non-profit HUGS, a group of 10 volunteers with Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union (FCU) took to the kitchen to cook up some local favorites for co-workers in exchange for a $15 donation. One Hundred percent of the proceeds will support the HUGS of Hawaii mission to help families with children diagnosed with life-threatening conditions like cancer, respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and stroke.
“Donations will help children and parents with respite,” said group member Kien Bayawa. “The money will also be put towards programs to help families facing an unforeseen crisis or challenge.”
The team sold 51 plates to their coworkers who chowed down on a plate lunch that included Morcon (Filipino-style Meat Loaf), BBQ Chicken, Taegu, Spring Rolls, Rice, Pancit, Mac Salad, Banana Lumpia and a drink. With only 39 employees working at Hawaii Central FCU, the team more than reached their goal of 100% participation.