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by Timothy Ashcraft, HCUL President/CEO The New Year brings a time of reflection as well as excitement. It is hard to believe that I began my role as your Hawaii Credit Union League President only seven months ago. When people say, “time flies when you are having fun”, this is true. However, I would say “time flies when you are living your dream”. Simply put, I love Hawaii’s credit unions. The credit union movement changed the course of my life when I entered the industry twenty-seven years ago. The simple credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” continues to resonate with me and my personal values. I was able see and feel the credit union difference firsthand by working in small rural communities on Hawaii Island. “People Helping People” is not just a philosophy but goes to the heart of what we do to support the communities we serve. I made a promise to bring this message and my love for Hawaii’s credit unions with me each day in my new role leading the Hawaii Credit Union League. Congressman Ed Case with HCUL President Tim Ashcraft. In my short time as your President, I had the opportunity to visit each island and almost every credit union in the state. I have seen the amazing work Hawaii’s credit unions are doing to support our over 877,000 members. No matter the size of the credit union, each of our credit unions play a huge role in providing affordable financial services that strengthen our communities. We also see the credit union commitment to service by the variety of community service projects that Hawaii’s credit unions organize and participate in. Matt Stanek (TruStge), Charity Figuerras (Lanai FCU) and Timothy Ashcraft (HCUL). I continue to be inspired and humbled by the dedication of Hawaii’s credit union leaders and staff that work diligently to find creative solutions that allow our members to achieve their dreams. Mahalo to the HCUL Board of Directors for the opportunity to be the steward of our organization that has a core mission of providing an environment where Hawaii’s credit unions can thrive. I appreciate the commitment from our Board of Directors and volunteering their time to grow the credit union movement in Hawaii. Molokai Community FCU is the only credit union serving residents of Molokai. Mahalo to the HCUL staff for their longstanding commitment in serving our member credit unions with our advocacy efforts, education & training programs, compliance support, marketing & promotion, and providing business partnership solutions. I am truly blessed to work with each of you. Wendy (seated) and Lynn (standing, R) with HCUL staff. I would like to recognize and honor the recent HCUL staff retirements of Wendy Kishida and Lynn Remata in 2024. Wendy completed a 45-year career with HCUL serving in a variety of capacities, most recently as the Education & Training Director. Lynn served as our Administrative Assistant for 7 years. Both Wendy and Lynn will be greatly missed, but they will always be a part of the HCUL Ohana. We wish them joy and happiness in their retirement. As we enter the new year, the Hawaii Credit Union League will be finding new ways to amplify the credit union message. On top of our four weekly eNewsletters, we are providing “Your League News Weekly Wrap Up” on our YouTube channel. The fight for our Tax exemption will be tested in 2025. Please share your credit union difference stories on our Advancing Communities home page: Hawaii - Credit Unions: Advancing Communities. We will continue to engage with our members of congress and all levels of government to push for legislation that supports and benefits our credit unions. Our elected officials have the data supporting the credit union difference, but sharing your stories brings this data to life. To our member credit unions: Mahalo for living the dream with me and continuing to make a difference in each of your communities. We look forward to hosting you at the 2025 Annual Convention at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa on Hawaii Island May 1 – May 3, 2025. Wishing all of you a prosperous New Year!!!!
by Timothy Ashcraft, HCUL President/CEO
The New Year brings a time of reflection as well as excitement. It is hard to believe that I began my role as your Hawaii Credit Union League President only seven months ago. When people say, “time flies when you are having fun”, this is true. However, I would say “time flies when you are living your dream”.
Simply put, I love Hawaii’s credit unions. The credit union movement changed the course of my life when I entered the industry twenty-seven years ago. The simple credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” continues to resonate with me and my personal values. I was able see and feel the credit union difference firsthand by working in small rural communities on Hawaii Island. “People Helping People” is not just a philosophy but goes to the heart of what we do to support the communities we serve. I made a promise to bring this message and my love for Hawaii’s credit unions with me each day in my new role leading the Hawaii Credit Union League.
In my short time as your President, I had the opportunity to visit each island and almost every credit union in the state. I have seen the amazing work Hawaii’s credit unions are doing to support our over 877,000 members. No matter the size of the credit union, each of our credit unions play a huge role in providing affordable financial services that strengthen our communities. We also see the credit union commitment to service by the variety of community service projects that Hawaii’s credit unions organize and participate in.
I continue to be inspired and humbled by the dedication of Hawaii’s credit union leaders and staff that work diligently to find creative solutions that allow our members to achieve their dreams.
Mahalo to the HCUL Board of Directors for the opportunity to be the steward of our organization that has a core mission of providing an environment where Hawaii’s credit unions can thrive. I appreciate the commitment from our Board of Directors and volunteering their time to grow the credit union movement in Hawaii.
Mahalo to the HCUL staff for their longstanding commitment in serving our member credit unions with our advocacy efforts, education & training programs, compliance support, marketing & promotion, and providing business partnership solutions. I am truly blessed to work with each of you.
I would like to recognize and honor the recent HCUL staff retirements of Wendy Kishida and Lynn Remata in 2024. Wendy completed a 45-year career with HCUL serving in a variety of capacities, most recently as the Education & Training Director. Lynn served as our Administrative Assistant for 7 years. Both Wendy and Lynn will be greatly missed, but they will always be a part of the HCUL Ohana. We wish them joy and happiness in their retirement.
As we enter the new year, the Hawaii Credit Union League will be finding new ways to amplify the credit union message. On top of our four weekly eNewsletters, we are providing “Your League News Weekly Wrap Up” on our YouTube channel. The fight for our Tax exemption will be tested in 2025. Please share your credit union difference stories on our Advancing Communities home page: Hawaii - Credit Unions: Advancing Communities. We will continue to engage with our members of congress and all levels of government to push for legislation that supports and benefits our credit unions. Our elected officials have the data supporting the credit union difference, but sharing your stories brings this data to life.
To our member credit unions: Mahalo for living the dream with me and continuing to make a difference in each of your communities.
We look forward to hosting you at the 2025 Annual Convention at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa on Hawaii Island May 1 – May 3, 2025.
Wishing all of you a prosperous New Year!!!!