KS Commercial Real Estate partnerships helps flatten COVID-19 curve

May. 27, 2020

Contributed by Mae Nishimura

The Kamehameha Schools Commercial Real Estate Division recently partnered with community organizations to distribute packets of five free non-medical face masks at KS commercial properties including SALT at Our Kakaʻako, Windward Mall and the Varsity Building in Mōʻiliʻili.

The giveaway – aimed at flattening the COVID-19 curve – was made possible by a collaboration with Every1ne Hawaii, POW! WOW! Hawaiʻi, and the 2020 Census Hawaii and was part of Every1ne Hawaii’s statewide #Masks4allHawaii campaign.

“Kamehameha Schools is invested in the health and well-being of our communities,” said Walter Thoemmes, KS’ commercial Real Estate Division managing director. “We are happy to help these organizations with their #Masks4allHawaii mission showing gratitude to all Hawaiʻi. We are all in this together, and as we work with tenants and community partners, this will help to make our communities stronger.”

Zak Noyle of Every1ne Hawaii added, “Wearing a mask is all about showing aloha and respect for your ‘ohana, kūpuna, friends, neighbors, and people you don't even know. These masks help us protect each other as we fight back against COVID-19.”

Every1ne Hawaii worked with Hawaiian Airlines to transport 1.6 million non-surgical face masks from China to Hawaiʻi. Their goal is to pass masks out to every man, woman, and keiki (Hawaiʻi's total population is around 1.4 million currently), with the initial focus on giving masks to people who may not have the resources to find or buy their own.

Learn more about the community partnership in the Hawaii News Now story, “Generous donors with good connections bolster Hawaii’s PPE stockpile.”

Kamehameha Schools recently partnered with community organizations to distribute free face masks and hand sanitizer at KS commercial properties. Here, a volunteer offers two non-medical surgical masks and hand sanitizer to the public streetside at SALT at Our Kakaʻako.