BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS HAWAIʻI

IT TAKES LITTLE TO BE BIG.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i supports keiki from 6 yrs old and up through our one-to-one mentoring relationships which support their social and emotional development. Our youth-centered programs help our keiki create and achieve goals through the connection and support of their mentors. Each child, mentor, and family unit is guided through the process of enrollment, volunteerism, and support by all of our staff. We become 'ohana to ensure that the social and emotional needs of youth are being met and that every keiki has an opportunity to reach their full potential.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i New COO Inspires a Brighter Future for Hawai‘i’s Youth
Reid Hoshide appointed Chief Operations Officer to lead strategic growth and enhance community impact.

Reid Hoshide, the new Chief Operations Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i, brings over 23 years of business management experience. He has 18 years of small business management as the owner, president, and director of operations for Taco Del Mar in Hawai‘i.
"I'm thrilled to have Reid join our team. His strong background in business operations, along with his experience, innovation, and leadership will be a tremendous asset," said Tyler Kurashige, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i. "Reid's expertise will be invaluable as we advance our organization and ensure we maximize our resources to continue to significantly impact the youth we serve." Read More.

Dennis Brown Inducted into National Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni Hall of Fame
February 6, 2024 - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawai‘i proudly announces the induction of its former CEO, Dennis Brown, into the esteemed national Big Brothers Big Sisters Alumni Hall of Fame. This honor is given to individuals who have demonstrated the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and have made significant impacts in their communities and workplaces.
Dennis Brown's lifelong connection with the Hawai‘i branch dates back to 1963 when he became the first youth mentored through the former Big Brothers of Hawai‘i. His mentor, Henry Sumida, helped Dennis become more confident and wise, despite the hardships he went through during his childhood. Henry became the key role model in Dennis’ young life. As he grew older, Henry encouraged Dennis to pursue a career in nonprofit organization, which eventually led him back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawai‘i when he became President/CEO of the organization in 1998. Read More.

Celebrating National Mentoring Month!
January 23, 2024 - Mahalo KITV for highlighting Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii on "Island Life Live." Our President/CEO, Tyler Kurashige, spoke about our organization, including the return of our School-Based mentoring program!

We've Moved!
Our Oahu office has relocated to the Ala Moana area. Stay tuned for open house announcements as we are still unpacking and getting ready to welcome you to our new office.

Our new mailing address is:
771 Amana St.
Ste #301
Honolulu, HI 96814

BBBSH featured on MidWeek!

HONOLULU, HI (Nov 15, 2023) - Mahalo MidWeek for featuring Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii! Youth Danica and Vincent were able to participate in this exciting photoshoot alongside Pilikana Hero Neill Char, CEO Tyler Kurashige, and former mentor Pamela Kimura.
Read full article here.

Welcoming in a New Era

HONOLULU, HI (July 17, 2023) – Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii’s (BBBSH) President and CEO Dennis Brown will retire on Dec. 31, 2023, after 25 years of service to the organization. Current COO Tyler Kurashige has been selected by the BBB SH Board of Directors to succeed Brown and lead the state’s most recognized nonprofit providing 1-to-1 mentoring to Hawaii’s youth into a new era.

“I am proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past 25 years and I’m grateful for the commitment of BBBSH’s staff, community partners and volunteers,” Brown said. “I have worked with Tyler for the past 17 years and I’m confident that under his leadership, BBBSH will continue to grow and provide vital support for Hawaii’s youth and families.” Brown is the longest-serving CEO in the agency’s 60-year history and was also BBBSH’s first youth served. During his tenure, Brown grew the organization’s staff from 11 to its current 22; the annual operating budget increased from $600,000 to its current $2.3 million; and service levels grew from 250 children per year to more than 800 prior to the COVID pandemic. BBBSH has begun to implement new programs that will put it on track to serve closer to 1,000 per year. In addition, BBBSH is expanding the breadth of its services by adding teen mentoring programs aimed to help students graduate high school and plan for their future.
“When Dennis became CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu was a small organization that served only Oahu,” said Steve Corbisier, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii's chairman of the board. “In 2007, he successfully expanded services to Kaua‘i. Five years later, he led negotiations with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui to merge and create a statewide entity to -more- serve all four counties providing tremendous growth and stability. The BBBSH board appreciates Dennis’s outstanding leadership over the past 25 years.”
About Tyler Kurashige
For over 20 years, Kurashige has volunteered and worked for community-based organizations and agencies in the human services field. He started his journey at BBBSH as an intern in 2006, and currently serves as COO. During his tenure, Kurashige has overseen Statewide agency operations and program services, managed diverse community partnerships and innovative programs, and fostered resources to support needs across the islands.
“I am grateful for the many mentors and people who supported me throughout my life and I know firsthand the importance of having connection, friendship and hope in pursuing future aspirations,” Kurashige said. “I’m honored to be a part of this amazing organization that creates meaningful relationships for youth who need it the most. I look forward to working closely with our partners, board, volunteers, donors and our entire BBBSH team to lead this organization into its next phase of growth and service to the community,” Kurashige said.

Read "The inspiring power of role models"
HONOLULU, HI (Nov 7, 2023) - Mahalo Island Scene and HMSA for featuring our program and history! Read the article for background on the historical match of Dennis Brown and Henry Sumida (pictured) as well as our 2022 Match of the Year, Dan Richards and Zach.
Read the full article here.

PBN names Dennis Brown as Career Achievement Honoree for Most Admired Leaders awards
Pacific Business News is excited to announce that Dennis Brown, former president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, has been named this year’s Career Achievement Honoree for Hawaii's Most Admired Leaders awards.
Read the full article here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i Received Unprecedented Donation from Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott
Honolulu, Hawaii, May 24, 2022 — Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi (BBBSH) announced today it has been selected to receive an unrestricted donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, enabling the organization to expand valuable one-to-one mentoring and support for youth during an especially vulnerable time in their lives.
Scott’s generous gift is the largest donation from a single individual in BBBSH’s 59-year history. It serves as a powerful message in recognizing the importance of investing in youth mentorship to build and strengthen communities and society as a whole.

“We are humbled and extremely grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her tremendous generosity and support for youth mentorship in Hawaiʻi,” said Dennis Brown, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi former President and CEO.
The funding comes at a crucial time for BBBSH, which, due to pandemic restrictions over the past two years, was forced to cancel its Perfect Pairings and Bowl for Kids’ Sake events, two of its longstanding and largest annual fundraisers. “The past two years have been extremely tough for many nonprofits, as well as the youth we serve. The timing of this gift is critical to the future of our organization and will enable us to enhance the quality and breadth of our mentoring services to benefit even more of Hawaii’s youth and their families when they need it most,” Brown said. Read more.

Our President/CEO Dennis Brown was honored with an award for Children's & Youth Month 2021. He was recognized for being an outstanding advocate on
October 1, 2021.

September is National Big Brothers Big Sisters Month.
We have many exciting news and events to share with you!
First off, much and well-deserved congratulations to our Tyler Kurashige whom has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Awareness and Mental Health Awareness Month. We will focus on: Healing and Humility, as we have a critical conversation about the oppression of the AAPI community. Tune in on Friday, May 21 at 8am HST on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Facebook page.
Join us for a courageous conversation as experts share the importance of convening safe spaces for members of the AAPI community. Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategist and advocate, Sonia Aranza , President & CEO of Aranza Cross Cultural Strategies, and thought leader and mental health advocate, Christine Carino, Founder of Conscious Thrive, LLC, will lead the discussion. Local agency leaders, Elaine Cha, Story Teller, from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and Dennis Brown, President & CEO of BBBS of Hawaii will also join the panel.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i along with the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services presents "Defend, Inspire, Empower".

Casey Lund of Hawaii News Now showcases inspirational stories from inspirational people.

If you missed it, click here to watch the show!

IT TAKES LITTLE TO BE BIG.

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