Dear Junior League Friends and Community Partners,

This year, the Junior League of Honolulu celebrates 87 years of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  It is with your support that we continue to meet the needs of our community and focus on the empowerment of girls and women.

We are grateful to our Sustainer members who launched League legacy projects such as the restoration of `Iolani Palace, and the founding of Hale Kipa, a runaway shelter and safe haven for youth. 

Today, we continue to collaborate with these organizations as our New Members receive League training at `Iolani Palace and get to see firsthand how the Junior League supported our cultural heritage and history in Hawai`i. 

This August, we celebrate What Is Your Legacy? month by making “starter kits” for girls in Hale Kipa’s Hapai Home Program, a foster home for pregnant teens and teen mothers that prepares teens for parenting and independent living.

On October 19, the Junior League of Honolulu and Hawai`i Business Magazine present the third annual Wahine Forum, a leadership conference for women in business and the non-profit sector.  Keynote speakers include Pamela Omidyar, Founder of HopeLab and co-founder of the Omidyar Network, and Pat Christen, CEO and President of HopeLab.  The event is from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki.

This Fall, we begin another 9-week series of My Story, a course dedicated to helping adolescent girls discover the power they have within themselves and discuss topics such as being a girl, body image, friendship and love. 

Through our Kids in the Kitchen Program, the League addresses the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and healthy nutrition.  We look forward to working with all-girls schools and guest chefs to demonstrate healthy meals. 

In the Spring, the League will pilot a financial literacy class for females.  Given our economic times, the program is timely and relevant. 

Throughout the year, the Junior League’s Impact Honolulu team will continue to respond to community needs through a series of “done-in-a-day” projects. 

Please mark your calendar and join us for our signature fundraising luncheon, Sacs in the City, on March 5 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Our silent auction is all about the love of handbags and proceeds support the League’s mission. 

This year holds the promise of another wonderful year of serving with like-minded women and community partners who value servant-leadership.  It is truly my pleasure to join with you in building better communities. 

Warmest aloha,

Marcie Uehara Herring