Heartbeat of HUGS brings you the latest news and events of HUGS.
For media inquiries, contact: Alex Wereszczynskyj, Development Director at alex@hugshawaii.org
HUGS Announces New Board President Joseph Castaneda
March 5, 2026
HUGS Board member Joe Castaneda has been elected as the new President of its Board of Directors.
HUGS Receives $24,000 Donation from First Hawaiian Bank
Feb 9, 2026
HUGS Received $24,000 from First Hawaiian Bank as part of the bank’s annual Kokua Mai employee giving campaign to support HUGS’ peer support programs.
HUGS Holds 3nd Annual “Paddle for HUGS” Charity Pickleball Tournament
July 24, 2025
HUGS will hold their 3rd Annual “Paddle for HUGS” Pickleball Tournament presented by Justine Stamen Arrillaga and John Arrillaga at Kamilo’iki Community Park on November 1, to raise funds for the organization.
HUGS Hosts Western-Themed Gala on May 24, 2025 “Giddy Up for HUGS” at the Ko‘olau Grand Ballroom
April 16, 2025
HUGS will host its annual gala and largest fundraiser of the year on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Ko‘olau Grand Ballroom in Kaneohe, a western-themed event.
HUGS Announces New Board of Directors Member
Feb 11, 2025
HUGS announced the addition Danka Fabiankovicova (S) to the HUGS Board, and the 2025 officers for its Board of Directors.
HUGS Receives $15,300 Grant from Bayer Fund
Nov 18, 2024
HUGS received a grant for $15,300 from Bayer Fund, which will support their airfare assistance program.
HUGS Holds 2nd Annual “Paddle for HUGS” Charity Pickleball Tournament
Sep 6, 2024
HUGS will hold their 2nd Annual “Paddle for HUGS” Pickleball Tournament at Kamilo’iki Community Park on November 2nd, to raise funds for the organization.
First Hawaiian Bank Cleans up Kaimuki Neighborhood for HUGS
June 15, 2024
Over 150 employees from First Hawaiian Bank came this Saturday morning to help clean up a neighborhood block in Kaimuki for their Community Cares Day, where HUGS is located.
HUGS Announces Four New Members to the Board of Directors
May 8, 2024
HUGS announced the addition of four new members and the 2024 officers for its Board of Directors.
HUGS Hosts Movie-Themed Gala on May 25, 2024 “Lights, Camera, HUGS!” at the Ko‘olau Grand Ballroom
March 4, 2024
HUGS will host its annual gala and largest fundraiser of the year on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Ko‘olau Grand Ballroom in Kaneohe, and will be honoring long-time supporter Zippy’s Restaurants.
HUGS Receives $21,000 Donation from First Hawaiian Bank
Feb 2, 2024
HUGS received $21,000 from First Hawaiian Bank (FHB), as part of the bank’s annual Kokua Mai employee giving campaign. The funds will benefit HUGS’ peer support programs to assist Hawaii families as they care for a seriously ill child.
HUGS Appoints New Executive Director
Jan 23, 2024
HUGS has appointed Maureen Purington as the organization's new Executive Director. She will lead the passionate team of employees and volunteers dedicated to helping Hawaii’s families as they face the emotional and financial hardships of caring for seriously ill children.
HOCU PARTNERS WITH HUGS ON SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE TO SUPPORT HUGS KIDS
Aug 7, 2023
Honolulu Federal Credit Union (HOCU) held their first ever school supply drive for HUGS
The Honolulu Elks Lodge Hosts Its First Ever “Elks Kumulokahi Paddle Out for HUGS”
June 23, 2023
60+ HUGS family members will be attending the event which will be held at the Honolulu Elks Lodge located at 2933 Kalakaua Avenue, and will enjoy some fun in the sun as they get paddled out on canoes and give our HUGS kids the chance to experience paddling.
HUGS Announces Two New Members to the Board of Directors
June 13, 2023
HUGS announced the addition of new members and the 2023 officers for its Board of Directors, Kanani Kaopua and Gregory Charles Pietsch.
HAWAII CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL HOLDS BENEFIT CONCERT SERIES TO SUPPORT HUGS AND OTHER LOCAL CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS
May 18, 2023
HUGS will be collaborating with Hawaii Chamber Music Festival (HCMF) for a concert to benefit HUGS at Tiny Pyramid on June 17, 2023.
HUGS Hosts a 70’s disco-themed Gala on May 13, 2023 “Groovin’ with HUGS”
March 17, 2023
The 70’s disco-themed HUGS Gala, called “Groovin’ with HUGS” will honor Greg Pietsch, owner of Sunset Ranch, for his many years of support of HUGS through the years, and his environmental contributions to the community.
HUGS Announces Newest Board Member, Ryan Chavoustie from Island Energy Services
Sep 15, 2022
HUGS is proud to announce that Ryan Chavoustie, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Island Energy Services, LLC. (IES), the official licensee of Texaco in Hawaii, has joined HUGS’ Board of Directors.
HUGS KIDS “BUDDY” UP WITH THE UH MENS VOLLEYBALL TEAM AT RESPITE NIGHT
Sep 12, 2022
The UH Men’s Volleyball Team, including Coach Wade and Coash Milan, generously donated their time by volunteering to be buddies for the HUGS kids at their recent Respite, that was held at Grace Fellowship in Waipio, who donated their facilities for the night.
HUGS Receives $15,000 Grant from Bayer Fund
June 21, 2022
HUGS received a grant for $15,000 from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the US. This grant will support HUGS’ airfare assistant program.
HAWAII CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL HOLDS BENEFIT CONCERT SERIES TO SUPPORT HUGS AND OTHER LOCAL CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS
May 18, 2022
HUGS will be collaborating with Hawaii Chamber Music Festival (HCMF) for a concert to benefit HUGS at Stage Restaurant’s Cupola Gallery on June 11, 2022.
HUGS Hosts an 80’s-themed Gala on May 14, 2022 “Big Hair for HUGS” to celebrate 40th Anniversary and Honors Island Energy Services
April 5, 2022
This will be HUGS first in-person gala since 2019. To celebrate HUGS 40th anniversary, the gala will be an 80’s-themed event and is called “Big Hair for HUGS,” with the name playing off of the “big” hair styles of that decade. The HUGS Gala will honor Island Energy Services for their many years of support of HUGS through the years, and their contributions to the community.
Neiman Marcus Hosts HUGS Families for Breakfast with Santa
Dec 4, 2021
HUGS families were treated to a delicious spread of breakfast favorites at Mariposa restaurant this morning, as they enjoyed a musical performance by the Shooting Stars of Diamond Head Theatre, signing and dancing to Christmas favorites like Santa Clause is Coming to Town and All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth.