Major layoffs hit our community hard this year, keeping our Lokahi Giving Project extra busy responding to pressing financial and medical needs.

We're grateful for donors who keep opening their pockets to help us fulfill our mission.

Employees at Young Brothers, Hawaiian Tug and Barge were shocked when big state employers like Molokai Ranch and Aloha Airlines shut down, leaving thousands out of work overnight.

"Aloha Airlines was a fabric of the community" says Young Brothers, Hawaiian Tug and Barge VP William Chung. "I think like most people, it felt like a part of, we lost something."

"You have a job today and tomorrow you don't have a job" adds Director of Benefits Vivian Kanetani. " "After watching people being interviewed on the news, it was about giving back to the community."

Kanetani asked co-workers to pitch in for those who lost their jobs, and management upped the ante, by matching employees' contributions.

The result after just a few weeks? A 9 thousand dollar check for Lokahi's emergency assistance fund.

The State is also reaching out to 30-thousand eligible unemployed workers, extending benefits from 26 to 39 weeks, starting this Saturday.

According to Department of Labor Spokesman James Hardway, "the extension of additional 13 weeks is going to be beneficial especially for like out on Molokai where you don't have a large private employer to absorb the employees displaced by Molokai Ranch."

18-hundred Aloha Employees filed for unemployment.

One thousand are still collecting.

Lokahi takes great care in getting donations to those who need help most.

You can help neighbors in need by making an online donation at lokahigivingproject.com.