Tin Myaing Thein Ph.D. Catharina Suryaatmadja

Post 9-11 period and slow economic growth has not been easy for many of individuals and businesses in the State of Hawai’i. Tourism numbers are down about 600,000 from the record 6.9 million in 2000 and 26,000 workers filed for unemployment in the fourth quarter of 2000¹. All of these circumstances affected the demands on social services. Furthermore, non-profit industries might be facing funding cuts from the federal government as a result of an undercount in last year’s census that might cause a loss for Hawai’i of $105.5 million in federal money in the next 10 years ². Pacific Gateway Center (PGC), as one of community development financial institutions in Hawai’i, consistently seeks alternative ways other than travel and tourism industry to serve individuals and families in need through Federal and State funded programs in order to help Hawai’i recover from its slow economy growth.

PGC has alternative methods through the agency's economic development programs to create employment and small businesses in industries outside tourism. PGC offers microloan programs for entrepreneurs that want to start or expand their business. These programs that promote and assist micro-entrepreneurs began 10 years ago. Businesses that have been helped by PGC vary from restaurant businesses, real estate, aquaculture, web design provider, termite control, and other unique businesses.

Furthermore, we also feel that during this slow period, the best thing for individuals is to have access to vocational and occupational training that enhance their job skills. Therefore, PGC also focuses on its employment and technological-based training. PGC is one of the frontrunners of technology-oriented education provided by non-profit agencies in the state of Hawaii. We offer these services to a number of target populations: low-income residents of Hawai'i, children, young adults, and immigrants in several different locations including O'ahu, Maui, and the Big Island through our distance learning programs.

Social service is still a major part of PGC's mission. For those who were affected by the 9-11 attacks, PGC, through its collaborations with other agencies such as Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii Baptist Church, and other non-profit agencies, offers services including emergency housing, food allowances, translation services, childcare services, and other support services. We view our agency as a one-stop shop for individuals or families who are seeking routes to achieve self-sufficiency. We provide them shelter and basic needs, give them job trainings and employment services, and help them open their own businesses. We are very proud of our successful clients, and it is the most wonderful thing to see our clients finally achieve self-sufficiency. We are inspired by our staff that commit to the PGC mission and help the people of Hawai'i to survive during this difficult time. Together, we can help them achieve their dreams.

¹ Article: The Road to Recovery, by John Duchemin, Honolulu Advertiser, Sunday, January 20, 2002.
² Article: Hawai'i Programs Could Lose Big Federal Buckss, by Tanya Bricking, Honolulu Advertiser, Thursday, August 9, 2001.