About Us

The Hawaii Association of the Blind is a 501c3 non-profit organization, an entity that survives on the generosity of donors who share in the support of Blind and Visually Impaired people in the State of Hawaii.

Here are a few ways that your monetary donations help to support the Blind. If yiu are wondering how you can become more involved within your organization, the following is a description of all the committees that aid in the operation and functioning of HAB. The names of the Committee Chairs are included.

1. Membership Committee - Chair: James Gonsalves

• The Membership Committee introduces potential members during HAB meetings.
• The committee works to pair new members with a mentor to help them find their niche within the organization.
• The committee assists new members by making them feel welcome and creates a sense of belonging within the organization.
• The committee also maintains outreach support.

  The Membership Committee has the following subcommittees:

A. Out Reach - Membership works toward promoting and educating HAB members on the organization’s core values of advocacy, equality, opportunity and community awareness. If interested, contact James at (808) 521-7648 and leave a message.

B. Library Committee - The HAB Library Committee members serve on the Library Advisory Board that is conducted quarterly by library staff.

• Board members are selected by LBPD”s branch manager.
• HAB members on the advisory board will report from time-to-time on news about services and events that pertain to the library that may be of interest to HAB’s members.

C. Internal Support - Sub-Committee Chair: Jerilyn Akamine. If interested, contact Jerilyn at (808) 521-7648 and leave a message.

• The role of Internal Support is to report on the passings of members, births, weddings, receiving of awards and other news involving HAB members.

2.Advocacy Committee - Chair: Howard Lesser. The Advocacy Committee keeps track of legislative bills being considered that will potentially affect the blind community. If interested, contact Howard at (808) 521-7648 and leave a message.

• The committee reports during general meetings on legislative bills that require attention.
• The committee also leads discussions on whether the organization should take action on any bills.
• The committee works with its members with submitting written or verbal testimony during Senate hearings on issues HAB is in support of or against.
• The committee (along with help of members) maintains relationships with Senators, Representatives, and other government officials by sharing about HAB and its mission.
• The committee communicates with concerned members facing personal issues, and discusses on whether HAB should get involved.

3.Events Committee - Volunteer position with leadership support. The events Committee coordinates activities outside of general meetings. If interested in working with events, contact James Gonsalves at (808) 521-7648 and leave a message.

• Events include the Thanksmas and New Year’s celebrations, among other activities.
• The committee schedules smaller activities, such as karaoke parties, picnics, movie outings, etc. They often coordinate efforts with the PAY Committee.
• HAB events are geared towards fostering a sense of community while also letting members get to know one another.

4.Publicity Committee - Chair: Natalie Barrett. Publicity works to spread the word on HAB special events and/or monthly member events by radio, newspapers, social media etc. Such events include member interviews, American Council of thr Blind convention, travel safety events, Holoholo shoppers, cane refreshers and STEAM events, among others. If interested, contact Natalie at (808) 521-7648.

• The committee is responsible for producing the monthly newsletter. Newsletter articles include member interviews, American Council of the Blind convention reaction and reflections, technology, among others.
• The committee provides written reports on state or national changes and new things happening within the blindness community.
• The committee shares about and reflects upon special activities HAB members participated in, and how HAB involvement made a difference in the lives of others.

5.Parents and Youth Committee (PAY) - Chair: Anthony Akamine and Co-Chair: Terri Akamine. PAY (in collaboration with the Travel Safety/STEAM program) provides support for parents of blind and low-vision youths.They plan and host virtual or in-person social and interactive events to engage and educate Hawaii’s blind keiki. If interested in working with PAY, contact Anthony at (808) 521-7648 and leave a message.

• PAY events are geared towards helping and guiding the development of appropriate social behavior and independence for all blind youths in Hawaii.

6.Gadgets and Gizmos Committee (G&G) - Chair: Ron Flormata and Co-Chair: Lance Kamaka. G&G shares about new and upcoming technologies for the blind. The committee may occasionally report on difficult or inaccessible technologies for the blind. They may also provide training on accessible devices. If interested in accessible technology and you wish to share your knowledge, contact Ron or Lance at (808) 521-7648 and leave a message.

7.Fundraising Committee - Chair: Vickie Kennedy. The Fundraising Committee is responsible for coordinating yearly fundraiser events. Typically, these take place between the months of April and June and again during the months of October through December. If interested in assisting the Fundraising Committee, contact Vickie at (808) 521-7648 and leave a message.

• Fundraising reviews various fundraising opportunities and selects the two best options that will offer the greatest returns and are easily executed.
• Funds raised go towards helping the organization support its various activities and projects aiding the blind.
• Fundraising also offers opportunity for HAB to educate the general community and bring greater awareness regarding blindness.

8.Scholarship Committee - Chair: Sherri Martinez. The Scholarship Committee is responsible for the marketing and public promotion of the organization’s scholarship fund. it also is responsible for the receiving and reviewing of scholarship applications.

• The committee (along with HAB’s president) determines the approval of applicants and the dollar amount awarded.
• The committee keeps records of awarded scholarships. This information may include, but is not limited to, the names of scholarship recipients and the amount they received.
• The committee produces written records of each scholarship award and provides copies of the paperwork to the treasurer’s records.

9.Contact Committee - Chair: Saija Koirala. The committee keeps track of and communicates with HAB members about upcoming events and activities, in addition to the monthly meetings.

• The committee is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of members’ contact information.
• Contact works in direct communication with the Membership Committee and HAB’s treasurer in maintaining member data within ACB Membership Management System (AMMS).
• The committee is responsible for calling or emailing members about the monthly meetings, as well as taking head counts for meetings and special events.

Participating on a committee is a great way to meet other HAB members and develop new and richer friendships.

There are two ways to Donate to HAB:  click here to Donate Now, or you can send a check payable to:

Hawaii Association of the Blind

1550 Ainakoa Avenue

Honolulu, HI 96821