Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 5, 1 May 2006 — Hawaiian credit union [ARTICLE]

Hawaiian credit union

Organizers want to raise $2 million dollars by this summer to establish the first Native Hawaiian credit union, whieh would be located in Kapolei on land owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. More than 50 Hawaiian groups, led

by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and DHHL, are trying to raise a total of $3 million to launeh the Prince Kūhiō Federal Credit Union. To date, $1.1 million has been pledged. The credit union would be open to AHCC members and DHHL beneficiaries, and provide finaneial services such as auto loans and personal loans up to $50,000. The group hopes to expand over time to offer small business and mortgage loans. Kekoa Beaupre, one of the organizers, said that they will apply for a charter from National Credit Union Administration in late lune. Beaupre said that the impetus behind the project was to increase the Hawaiian eonununity's financial literacy and give Hawaiian entrepreneurs another avenue for support. For more information, eall Kekoa Beaupre at 566-1332 or Charlie Rose at 375-2252.