Honolulu, HI

HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support) for Hawaii's Seriously Ill Children and Their Families

EIN 99-0213594

Health & Wellness Disease & Chronic Illness Support Patients & families

Mission

To strengthen Hawaii’s families and improve their quality of life as they face the emotional and financial hardships of caring for a seriously ill child.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

Claim this page Visit www.hugshawaii.org

About HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support) for Hawaii's Seriously Ill Children and Their Families

HUGS is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides long-term, family-centered support to Hawaii families caring for a child (birth to age 21) diagnosed with a life‑threatening illness. Programs include monthly respite, sibling support (SibCamp), peer support gatherings for parents, hospital outreach, case management (Hoʻokele), airfare assistance and a food support program (Kokua Kupboard). Founded in 1982, HUGS operates statewide and makes services available to enrolled families at no cost. In recent years the organization has remained active in community fundraising and partnerships, appointed a new executive director (Maureen Purington, announced January 23, 2024), and reported expanded financial capacity in its most recent filings, enabling continued program delivery and fundraising events such as its annual gala and community fundraisers.

Notable achievements

Established statewide family support (since 1982)

HUGS has provided continuous, specialized services for families with seriously ill children statewide since 1982, helping thousands of families through peer support, respite, hospital outreach and sibling programs.

Sustained program scale and fiscal growth (FY2024)

Most recent public filings show FY2024 revenue and net assets at a level that enabled program continuation and growth, supporting core services across Oʻahu and neighbor islands.

Program portfolio with measurable reach

HUGS runs signature programs such as monthly respite, SibCamp for siblings, Hoʻokele case management, Kokua Kupboard food support and airfare assistance; a recent city grants proposal outlined plans to deliver 21 peer-support activities to serve roughly 765 participants on Oʻahu.

At a glance

Total assets: $1.6M
Annual revenue: $1.1M
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 99-0213594
Location: Honolulu, HI
Website: www.hugshawaii.org
On Mahalo since: May 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Charity Navigator: Three‑Star rating (88%), reflecting strong scores on governance, financial oversight and culture/community metrics.

Included as an agency partner in local philanthropic networks (for example Aloha United Way listings and community fundraising collaborations), demonstrating local recognition and referral relationships.

Active participant in Honolulu Grants-in-Aid processes and community fundraising events (annual gala, walk and other donor events), including a FY2025 grants-in-aid proposal to support peer‑support programming.

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