Aloha,
As we welcome fall, I’m grateful for the people who make Pacific Gateway Center’s work possible—our staff, the individuals and families we serve, and the partners and supporters who stand alongside us.
This edition reflects those connections. Our Oʻahu and Maui team members gathered at the Lahaina memorial to honor lives lost and reflect on a recovery journey that is deeply personal for many of our staff. As PGC’s Disaster Case Management Program concludes, we recognize our team’s dedication and the trust survivors placed in them during an extraordinarily difficult time.
We also celebrate Ave’s 25 years of service and introduce two new deputy directors, Luella Costales and Khaled Otear. Their experience and commitment build on a long tradition of staff finding practical, thoughtful ways to support our community.
At PGC Farms, that support takes many forms—from helping a farmer secure a new $67,000 tractor to assisting with storm recovery. We are thankful that the farm weathered Tropical Storm Lala relatively well and grateful for Walk the Farm’s $10,000 contribution toward recovery from the earlier Kona Low storms.
I invite you to read these stories, meet the people behind our work, and learn how your support helps create opportunities for individuals and families. We also hope you’ll join us for our BASALT benefit dinner on November 15—an evening inspired by the flavors of Southeast Asia that will help sustain PGC’s work.
Mahalo for being part of the PGC community and for helping us carry this work forward.
With aloha,
Matt Johnson
Executive Director
Pacific Gateway Center
