Hawaii State FCU Selects Two Recipients for Small Business Grant Program

HONOLULU – Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU), Hawaii’s largest credit union lender with more than 112,000 members on Oahu and Maui, has selected two recipients for its inaugural small business grant program. Dawn Patrol Assessments and Fitgevity, both local businesses based on Oahu, will be awarded $5,000 each to grow or expand their operations.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community. Often times it is challenging for them to qualify for financing to grow their companies, so it is important for us to do our part to support small business and help them succeed,” said Andrew Rosen, president and CEO of Hawaii State FCU. “This is Hawaii State FCU’s first year offering a grant program for local entrepreneurs, and it is our intent to offer this grant program on an annual basis. We wish the two recipients continued success as they work hard to expand their businesses.”

To qualify and apply for the program, interested businesses were required to be a for-profit company in good standing with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; a sole proprietor age 18 or older; in business in the state of Hawaii for at least 12 months; member of Hawaii State FCU in good standing for at least 12 months; and annual gross revenues must not have exceeded $1 million. The grantees applications were reviewed and selected based on need and plans for business expansion.

The 2019 Hawaii State FCU small business grant program awardees are:

Dawn Patrol Assessments provides support services, including substance abuse and mental health, family therapy, and criminal justice related counseling, for individuals and families. The company intends to use the grant money to expand its capacity of services and offset the costs for individuals who do not have the proper insurance or the means to pay for counseling or other support services. Currently treating 50 patients a year, Dawn Patrol Assessments expects to increase its clientele by about 60 percent. In operation since 2011, Dawn Patrol Assessments has offices in Mapunapuna and Aiea and is owned by Dawn Martin.

“I felt excited and honored that my business was selected for a Small Business Grant,” said Dawn Martin, owner of Dawn Patrol Assessments. “A lot of our clients don’t have insurance and can’t afford to pay for assessment and counseling services, so we step in so that high costs don’t become an obstacle to getting treatment. This grant will go a long way in helping us expand our reach and get more clients placed into the right rehabilitation and treatment programs.”

Fitgevity works with local businesses to create fitness classes, programs and in-house gym facility operations. Fitgevity provides personal trainers, fitness instructors, dietitians, massage therapists and more, to help companies build happier, healthier, stronger employees. The grant proceeds will be used to expand Fitgevity’s youth programs, including the purchase of new equipment for athletic development training. Fitgevity has been in business for three years and is headquartered in Kapolei. The company is owned by Brad Kalilimoku.

Brad Kalilimoku, owner of Fitgevity, said he was humbled when he found out he had received a grant. “Throughout my college athletic career, we were always taught the importance of giving back. I’m a huge believer in supporting my community however I can, and I like to align myself with companies that have the same beliefs. Hawaii State FCU embodies those same beliefs – they’ve shown that they support their members and want to help small businesses in Hawaii.”

“At Hawaii State FCU, our not-for-profit standing gives us the flexibility to translate our earnings into financial assistance in the form of teacher grants, student scholarships, and now grants for small businesses. It’s our way of supporting the community that we live and work in,” added Rosen.

For more information about Hawaii State FCU’s small business grant program, please visit www.HawaiiStateFCU.com/business-grants.

About Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU) was founded in 1936. Serving state, city and county employees as well as non-profits and select businesses and their families across the state, Hawaii State FCU has nearly 112,000 members and $1.7 billion in assets. Hawaii State FCU provides financial advising, checking, savings and loan services on Oahu and in Kahului, Maui. For more information, visit www.HawaiiStateFCU.com.