Media release | American Savings Bank, HELCO

(Hilo, HI – May 5, 2011) — Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) and American Savings Bank (ASB) have donated $35,000 to Hospice of Hilo to support the construction of the first neighbor island in-patient hospice facility.

Hospice of Hilo’s capital campaign is to construct a 12-bed, Medicare-certified, in-patient hospice facility to serve terminally ill patients who are unable to be cared for at home. The facility would allow adult and pediatric patients to receive the comprehensive medical, psychological, social, and spiritual care they deserve and the dignified death we all hope for.

“We commend Hospice of Hilo’s commitment to provide the highest quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support for our island’s terminally ill patients and their families,” said HELCO President Jay Ignacio. “We share their values of integrity, respect, compassion, hope, and quality. We are dedicated to making our community a better place to live, work, and serve.”

The 14,140-square-foot facility will include office space and meeting rooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, meditation room, and other common areas. Patient rooms can be transformed to be age appropriate for children or adults. In addition the building includes a children’s play room, family room, and spa therapy room specifically designed to meet the needs of the patients and their families.

“Hospice of Hilo provides valuable and compassionate end-of-life services to our Hawaii Island community,” said Rich Wacker, ASB President and Chief Executive Officer. “The new facility will allow them to expand their efforts, touching more lives and helping more local families.”

Located near the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s College of Pharmacy and Nursing Program, the facility also will include space to train UH Hilo students and health care professionals in the best practices in palliative and end-of-life care.

“Our thanks go to HELCO and ASB for the generous donations. This is further proof of the extent of community support that enables hospice to help people live with a life limiting disease.” said Hospice of Hilo Executive Director Brenda Ho.

Hospice of Hilo is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 agency serving the south and east portions of Hawaii Island since 1983. Its mission is to be an integral part of the community, providing compassionate, quality end-of-life care through support, counseling, and education. For more information, visit www.hospiceofhilo.org.

From its beginnings with a single hydroelectric generator in 1894, Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO) has had a tradition of utilizing the renewable energy resources of Hawaii Island for the benefit of its community. HELCO has since grown to become a world leader in the integration of renewable energy and is committed to providing a secure, clean energy future for Hawaii. For more information, visit www.helcohi.com.

Serving Hawaii’s businesses and communities for more than 85 years, American Savings Bank provides a full range of financial products and services, including commercial banking, consumer banking, insurance, and investments. For more information, visit www.asbhawaii.com.