Hawaii
Good Neighbor Fund: Clinic’s mission aligns with helping families | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
The Fertility Institute of Hawaii is marking its 12th year of supporting Helping Hands Hawai‘i’s Adopt-a-Family program, which brings holiday cheer to 500 local families in need of extra support this season.
Each year, the institute “adopts” local ohana in need, focusing on families with mothers and children to align with the clinic’s mission of creating and supporting families. The team organizes a drive to collect items from the families’ wish lists and raises additional funds for gift cards for groceries, clothing and other essential items.
When the institute began participating in the Adopt-a-Family program 12 years ago, the office had a team of about 20 staff members. Now, with nearly 90 employees, the program is funded through staff donations of goods and cash.
“Looking back 13 years ago when I started at the institute, I have always been involved in the community in many different ways. I just really enjoy giving back in any way that I can,” said Chief Administrative Officer Robyn Washousky. “I brought it to Dr. (John) Frattarelli’s attention, asking him if around the holidays we would be able to adopt a local family. We did some research in the community and came across Helping Hands, who offered that opportunity.”
Washousky said that from a young age, she was taught by her late father “to always give back no matter what.”
“So it’s also a way for me to continue to honor him, and the office has been so gracious to allow me to continue to do that in some sort of way,” she said.
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The clinic offers various fertility and in vitro fertilization treatments, among other services. Frattarelli, CEO of the institute, described its participation with Helping Hands Hawai‘i as “an extension of what we’re normally doing for our patients. We also felt that was an important thing to do during the holidays. It allows our staff to be involved in giving as well.”
This year, the institute is supporting two ohana through Helping Hands Hawai‘i.
One family includes a mother, two older children and a father who was recently diagnosed with cancer. The second family comprises a recently widowed mother with three young children whose requests included essentials such as diapers and baby wipes.
Hawaii’s rising cost of living has driven families to seek help for everyday necessities, underscoring the importance of community support during challenging times.
“I think it’s sometimes difficult for individuals, especially with the challenges these days, to give because they may not feel like they can give enough,” Frattarelli said. “However, when you get an organization involved and have several people contributing, it really allows you to give more and provide whatever basic services are needed for the family. We were able to easily raise enough to take care of the family’s needs.”
This year, the institute has raised about $1,000 for the Adopt-a-Family program. Washousky explained that the donations aren’t always for essential items; sometimes, families request things like a vacation, something they’ve never had the luxury of experiencing.
She recalled institute employees raising enough funds last year to fulfill an Oahu family’s request for a staycation, since they had never stayed in a hotel before.
“The variety of gifts we provide depends on the families’ needs and their wish lists,” Washousky said.
This year, alongside their immediate Adopt-a-Family support, the institute helped a family they had assisted three years ago. After her young daughter died of brain cancer, the mother reached out to request art supplies and small toys for bed-bound children at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children, in honor of the girl’s birthday on Dec. 11.
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BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
The Good Neighbor Fund is an annual campaign that collects donations to assist local ohana facing hardships during the holidays and throughout the year. Contributions to the fund help provide a variety of resources, including financial assistance for rent and/or utilities, essential goods, and services that support health, well-being and stability. In-person donations can be made at any First Hawaiian Bank branch, or contribute online at helpinghandshawaii.org/good-neighbor-fund. Checks made out to “Good Neighbor Fund” also can be mailed to: c/o Helping Hands Hawai‘i, MSC 61572, P.O. Box 1300, Honolulu, HI 96807-1300.
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>> The Edwin S.N. Wong Foundation $2,000
>> Suzanne P. Damian $1,000
>> John Okutani $510.65
>> Charles P. Nakagawa $500
>> Elaine & Jamie Wong $500
>> In loving memory of Bill & Jayne Gibson from Helen Gibson Ahn $500
>> Larry and Mary Ann Collignon $500
>> The Katos $500
>> Cynthia M. Smith $400
>> Mark A. Wakatsuki $400
>> Dennis Kawahara $300
>> Guy and Susan Fujimura $300
>> In memory of Kiyoshi, Irene and Neal Sakima $300
>> Michael T. Miyabara $300
>> In loving memory of Henry, Katherine, Henry Jr. and Nanny Wolter $250
>> In loving memory of Joseph and Elese Katona $250
>> Janice & Steven Kakazu $250
>> Claire M. Uechi $200
>> Elsa M. Nakamoto $200
>> In loving memory of Pop and G. Loo from their grandkids $200
>> In loving memory of Tutu & Opa, Popo & Papa $200
>> In memory of Gregorio and Trinidad Prado $200
>> Lance Nakamura $200
>> Daryl Bryan $150
>> Gerhard Hamm $128.04
>> Gloria Wong $102.53
>> In memory of Jan Arnett $102.53
>> Walter Sakuda $102.53
>> John Tokunaga $101
>> April K. Sasaki $100
>> Burt Yoshimi $100
>> Colleen Otsuka $100
>> Dayle Osborn $100
>> Eric and Joyce Hee $100
>> Harold H. Karimoto $100
>> In loving memory of Gilbert Choi $100
>> In memory of Alan Richard $100
>> In memory of Ebenezer Scrooge $100
>> In memory of Geri Nishimi Buchman $100
>> In memory of Jeanne Mieko Hamasaki $100
>> In memory of Sun and King Fong Hom $100
>> Merry Christmas $100
>> Raymond C. Pearl $100
>> Richard McCabe $100
>> Susan M. Hashimoto $100
>> Susan T. Takahashi $100
>> Bryant Yabui $51.52
>> James Nugent $51.52
>> Alan H. Kawamoto $50
>> Kyden, Keaton, Keegan, Kepa, Koby $50
>> Patrick E. Carvalho $50
>> Patti Tildsley $50
>> Sandra A. Hashimoto $50
>> Charles Harris $26.01
>> In loving Memory of Adam and Virginia Moniz $26.01
>> Dana P.M. Smith $25
>> Florida H. Jhoo $25
>> Jack and Frances Wong $25
>> Joy Ikeda $20
>> Violet Chung $10
>> Anonymous $505
>> Weekly total: $13,362.34
>> Previous week’s total: $20,849.92
>> Grand total: $34,212.26
Hawaii
Healthier Hawaii: How to protect your hearing; head and neck warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – You may have received new earbuds or headphones during the holidays. But there are a few things you keep in mind when it comes to protecting your hearing.
Dr. Ross Shockley, an otolaryngologist with Wilcox Medical Center and Kaua‘i Medical Clinic, offers the following tips for hearing, as well as head and neck health.
Head and neck cancers
Many people are not familiar with head or neck cancers. What causes it and when should someone see a doctor?
- Traditionally, head and neck cancers were mostly associated with longtime smokers and drinkers. Now, more cases are tied to human papillomavirus (HPV), even in nonsmokers and drinkers. HPV is the same virus that can lead to cervical cancer in women. It is common and can have no symptoms.
- If you have throat pain, pain when swallowing that doesn’t go away, or a mass in your neck that feels firm and isn’t moving, don’t wait. See your doctor.
- Head and neck cancers can be treated, no matter the cause, if caught early.
How to prevent hearing loss
More young adults, in their early 20s, are experiencing hearing loss. Can hearing loss be reversed?
- Hearing loss can’t be reversed. Once ringing in ears starts, that can be permanent.
- Wear appropriate hearing protection when using power tools or firing weapons.
- You can find ear protection that blocks out sound for about $15. Protection that covers the whole ear are better than earplugs.
How do you know if music or movies are too loud?
- Don’t turn anything up to the maximum.
- You want the volume to be at the lowest level where you can still hear and understand.
- If there is background noise, don’t crank up the volume all the way to fight it. Use noise-cancelling headphones or go somewhere quieter.
Dangers of cleaning your ears
You may feel the urge to clean your ears. Shockley says do less, or even nothing at all.
- Our ears clean themselves. As new skin grows, it takes wax with it out of your ear.
- When you clean your ears, you’re interrupting that natural cleaning process.
- You can also put yourself at risk for external ear infections – or make your ears itch more.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Hawaii Grown: Few isle players in College Football Playoff final four | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.
Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.
Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.
She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.
She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.
Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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