Lima Kokua

A brief history about, and by, Lima Kokua:

Lima Kokua was founded on July 29, 1962, as the whimsically-named and socially-minded Like Later Club. Ken Keen, Burt Rogers, Ron Lopez, Mew Michael, and Al Arnold were the original group of beach-going, brunch-munching, hangover-sympathizing friends, among others, who recognized the needs of malnourished and impoverished children in and around the United States and the Pacific Rim. They founded the club to raise funds, awareness, and to make a difference. They were also keenly aware of the need for, and sought to create, a safe social space for their larger group of friends at a time when their sexual and gender identities were considered deviant by dominant culture-at-large.

The Like Later Club operated under that name until 1974 when the club incorporated as Lima Kokua, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in the State of Hawaii.

Originally, the group focused on sponsoring children through national organizations such as the Salvation Army Home School for the Blind in Jamaica, and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation which worked with children throughout Asia and the Pacific. In those early years, 37 children in various countries were sponsored by Lima Kokua. Subsequently, the members decided to focus the energies of the group on causes within the State of Hawaii, and to broaden our scope to include the needs of families and the elderly, as well.

Today, our members are more united than ever in our commitment to service. When a member becomes aware of a need, they bring it to the membership for consideration. While a large portion of our work is with established organizations, members are also proud of the work we do quietly and behind the scenes with individuals. Lima Kokua salutes the family with nine children whose father was recovering from an injury and didn’t think there was going to be a festive Christmas – but there was when we gently stepped in. Children and struggling families have received surprise Easter or Christmas baskets prepared by our members. Elderly individuals who have slipped through the cracks of government bureaucracy and red tape have found new hope because our members recognized a need and stepped in to help with food and financial assistance.

The work of Lima Kokua is on-going, and financial support comes from a variety of fundraising efforts such as participation with the Great Aloha Fun Run, silent auctions, annual summer cook-offs, occasional bequests, membership dues, and other creative and easy-going social events. Lima Kokua has lent helping hands in support of a wide variety of non-political causes for more than 60 years, without consideration to gender, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, age, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Learn more at limakokua.org