SEH has been collecting storefront donations to support various NPOs that contribute to the local community since it began operations. Organizations that wish to receive donations submit an application stating their mission and why they want to participate in the organization, and each month, one organization is selected as the recipient. The selected organizations are active in fields such as health, safety, and education, and the donated funds are used throughout Hawaii. In FY2021, approximately $75,500 was donated.

SEH has continued its commitment to the community by partnering with Community Empowerment Resources (CER) as they sought personal protective equipment to reduce the risk for employees and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. CER is a locally operated non-profit based in Honolulu known for its dedicated efforts to provide inclusive care to individuals who are diagnosed with illnesses that commonly lead to homelessness.

SEH harnessed the power of the community and partnered with vendors in a series of collaborative donations; first donating 10,000 face coverings in July 2021; followed by a contribution of 500 hand sanitizers in September 2021. These efforts helped to ensure that Hawaii’s most vulnerable populations are cared for throughout the pandemic during a time when many non-profits were seeking community support.

On December 3, 2021, SEH along with the University of Hawai‘i held its 4th annual Healthy Recipe Culinary Competition.

The criteria for the competition was more difficult than ever before: students had to create a better-for-you plant-based bento or entrée. In addition to the no-meat requirement, students were tasked with using a minimum of two locally grown, caught, or raised ingredients. As in previous years, SEH’s Merchandising Team meets with students from Kapiolani Community College and Leeward Community College to share its food development process to help them prepare for the competition.

After a tough deliberation, the judges from SEH and Warabeya USA awarded the first-place prize to Kaleb Molina, a Leeward Community College student participating in the competition for the second time. Last year, he entered with a Kalua Pork Hash Patty and Kim Chee Fried Rice Bento, but his Vegan Rigatoni Bolognese took the top spot in 2021. “The previous year I entered, and it was a fun and educational experience. This year when I entered again, learning that my dish won, the feeling is indescribable!” Customers could try this new dish starting on March 29, 2022.

Kapiolani Community College’s Avery Serna grabbed second place with his Vegan Fried Tofu and Gomoku Rice Bento. “I am passionate about Japanese cuisine, and when creating the recipe for this contest and thinking about healthy pairings for tofu, my first thought was flavorful rice,” says Serna, who received his advanced training certificate from Kapiolani Community College’s culinary program and hopes to move to Japan to specialize in Japanese cuisine. “The tofu is a soy-based marinade, so I needed something sweet to balance it against. The naturally sweet vegetables in the rice made the most sense. Even though it is vegan, I hope people feel the familiarity and want to eat this product without feeling guilty about the nutritional side of it.” Serna was thrilled when his dish was introduced on June 13, 2022.

Each year in August, SEH hosts a major collection effort to support a local non-profit that includes two key initiatives: a Golf Tournament with the proceeds dedicated to the non-profit, and a donation canister collection. Family Promise of Hawaii’s mission to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence by mobilizing existing community resources and support including shelter, food, and emergency care.

In combination with the proceeds from the tournament and customer contributions from the monthly canister, SEH awarded Family Promise of Hawaii $49,742. These funds will be spent at the Drop-In Day Center located in Honolulu where individuals can go for access to the internet, showers, and laundry facilities as well as food and hygiene products for families.

SEH partnered with non-profit Keiki O Ka ‘Aina in December 2021 to support their mission to educate children, strengthen families, enrich communities, and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture by empowering Hawaii’s families to undertake leadership roles in their communities. At the heart of all the enrichment practices is the Hawaiian language, tradition, and values.

Keiki O Ka ‘Aina hosts a major “adopt-a-family” campaign each holiday season, where generous community members can anonymously gift necessities to a family in need. To support this campaign, SEH made a donation of $40,000 and sponsored a “Winter Wonderland” at Windward Shopping Center to support the cause on December 4, 2021.

In addition, Store Support Center members participated in the “adopt-a-family” initiative and collectively donated approximately $1,250 in retail value of supplies and other essentials to help a worthy family. As a result of these combined efforts, SEH was recognized as the largest single donor to Keiki o Ka Aina on KHON2 during the evening news in December.