HCFCU Receives 2023 Pualu Award

HCFCU Receives Prestigious 2023 Pualu Award for Outstanding Community Impact Through Education Programs

Award recipients named at Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

WAIMEA, HI – Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU), a leading financial institution devoted to community service, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the 2023 Pualu Award by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce (KKCC). Pualu, meaning “all together, in unison, and cooperative”, is an annual award given in recognition of businesses, organizations, and individuals that work together for West Hawaiʻi in providing business leadership and community service.

"We are truly honored to receive the 2023 Pualu Award from the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce," said Tricia Buskirk, President & CEO of HCFCU. "At HCFCU, we firmly believe in the transformative power of education. We are committed to providing resources, mentorship, and support for all ages, ensuring that they have the financial tools necessary to succeed and thrive."

The Pualu Award serves as a testament to HCFCU’s dedication to improving financial literacy and education on Hawaii Island. First introduced in 2010, Deposit Day has expanded to eleven elementary schools island wide, giving keiki the experience of making their own deposits and rewarding them with prizes. Financial education continues through high school, as HCFCU partners with five high schools in establishing and managing Student Credit Unions (SCU) on campus. The SCUs give students and staff access to their accounts and offers services such as deposits, withdrawals, and cashing checks. 

HCFCU also provides ten annual scholarships and offers free online resources for adults, such as BANZAI and KOFE. Recognizing that financial literacy empowers communities, HCFCU is dedicated to educating its members in making the best financial decisions for themselves and their ohana.

“Mahalo to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce for recognizing HCFCU with this prestigious honor,” added Buskirk. “This award recognizes the dedication and passion that our team has for the community. We are committed to our mission of making a positive impact through our educational programs.”

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, federally insured financial institution owned by its 46,700 members. HCFCU’s branches are located in Hilo, Honokaa, Kailua-Kona, Kaloko, Kealakekua, and Kohala. Additionally, HCFCU has Student Credit Unions in Hilo, Honokaa, Kealakehe, Kohala, and Konawaena High Schools. HCFCU provides service minded financial professionals that will help facilitate mortgage, land, construction, small business, education, personal and auto loans. HCFCU also offers complete checking and savings services, drive up tellers; credit and debit cards with rewards; online and mobile banking; investment services and youth programs. HCFCU also supports numerous Hawaii Island non-profit organizations and community events. Membership in Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is open to all Hawaii Island residents.