HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support)

HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support) HUGS is a local nonprofit in Hawaii that supports families with a seriously ill child.

Got Paddle?The 4th Annual Paddle for HUGS Pickleball Tournament presented by Arrillaga Foundation is back! We are excite...
08/21/2026

Got Paddle?

The 4th Annual Paddle for HUGS Pickleball Tournament presented by Arrillaga Foundation is back! We are excited to announce that this year we are partnering with and hope to make your Paddle for HUGS experience better than ever.

Bring your pickleball skills to the court to compete in this unsanctioned benefit tournament to support HUGS and Hawaii's seriously ill children and their families. This is a mixed doubles, round-robin tournament. There will be two skill divisions: up to 3.0 (includes beginners and players up 3.0) and 3.5+ (players who are 3.5 and above), with three age brackets in each division.

PLUS!
👉Enjoy a special halftime exhibition by Pickleball Pro Keven Wong
👉Special live performance by Jody Kamisato of
👉Registration includes drawing entry for a chance to win free giveaways
👉Complimentary snacks and refreshments - including free smoothies from
👉Come dressed in pink to show your support!

📆Saturday, November 7, 2026
🕛From 8:00am
📍Pickles at FortĂ© (1032 Fort Street Mall)
Registration: $70/person

Deadline to register: Oct. 24, 2026 or if 125 players are met. Proceeds from the event will support Hawaii's seriously ill children and their families.

Register/more info: www.givebutter.com/paddleforhugs2026

Mahalo to our Sponsors:
Arrillaga Foundation, Waimea Valley

Special Thanks:
Jamba Hawaii, Zippy's, Pickles at Forté

Mahalo for letting HUGS be apart of the AUW Employee Giving Kickoff Campaign yesterday morning. We are honored to be a ...
08/20/2026

Mahalo for letting HUGS be apart of the AUW Employee Giving Kickoff Campaign yesterday morning. We are honored to be a part of this fantastic program that gives company employees in Hawaii the opportunity and convenience to give to a local non profit. Mahalo to everyone who supports HUGS through AUW for everyone that "honked" for HUGS yesterday😁

Looking for your company or business to make an impact for the community AND have fun doing it too?Sign up to be a spons...
08/19/2026

Looking for your company or business to make an impact for the community AND have fun doing it too?

Sign up to be a sponsor for the 4th Annual Paddle for HUGS Pickleball Tournament presented by Arrillaga Foundation.

This year the tournament will be held at our new venue in partnership with on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Sponsorship Levels:
-Pickleball Pro Sponsor $5,000 (includes recognition + 6 players)
-Ultimate Sponsor $3,500 (includes recognition + 4 players)
-Extreme Sponsor $2,000 (includes recognition + 2 players)
-Pickleball Fan Sponsor $1,000 (includes recognition, non-playing sponsor)

For more information, please email [email protected]

For this month's HUGS Family Highlight, please say hello to the Percival Family."Aloha! We’re the Percival family: Dave,...
08/19/2026

For this month's HUGS Family Highlight, please say hello to the Percival Family.

"Aloha! We’re the Percival family: Dave, Raquel, Tristan (12), Ariana (10), and our incredible cancer survivor, Gavin (10). 💗

About a year after moving to Hawaiʻi in 2018, our lives changed forever when Gavin, then just four years old, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer that had spread to his spinal canal. After a seizure, a massive stroke, months in the hospital, and six weeks of radiation, Gavin was left unable to walk or do much on his own.

Today, Gavin is not only walking—he’s running, jumping, swimming, hiking, shooting hoops, and enjoying school! Every day with him is a blessing, and we are so grateful for how far he has come.

For the past six years, HUGS has been there for our entire family. Through HUGS, we’ve connected with other families who understand the journey, found encouragement and resources, and watched our children build friendships at respite and other HUGS activities.

HUGS has given our family a place where we feel seen, supported, and surrounded by an amazing ʻohana. We will forever be grateful for our HUGS family!"

08/18/2026

7-Eleven Hawai'i raised $17,000 for HUGS through its canister donation campaign. From April to June, customers shopping at any of 7-Eleven’s 67 locations in Hawai‘i had the opportunity to donate to HUGS. Read more in our Aug. 12 Hot Shots column.

đŸ–đŸ”„ Good food, great laughs, and an unforgettable night with HUGS Dads! 👹‍🍳Our HUGS Dads had an amazing evening Cooking w...
08/18/2026

đŸ–đŸ”„ Good food, great laughs, and an unforgettable night with HUGS Dads! 👹‍🍳

Our HUGS Dads had an amazing evening Cooking with Chef Dan at the beautiful in the Uala Leaf Café for this past Dad's Night! From learning grilling tips, marinades, and dry rubs to making BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, pork belly, rice pilaf, pizza, and old-school strawberry lemonade, there was plenty of cooking, laughter, and connection around the tables.

The dads shared how grateful they were for the opportunity to learn from Chef Dan and his team—and they definitely didn’t leave empty-handed! Along with full bellies and new cooking skills, dads headed home with ribs, pork belly, dry rub, marinade, cookies, and a cookbook filled with the techniques and recipes they learned throughout the evening.

One of our new dads was already eager to sign up for the next Dads’ Night! What made it even more special was watching the other dads welcome him into the group, share the next event date, and encourage him to come back. That’s what the HUGS community is all about—making sure no one has to walk this journey alone.

Mahalo nui loa to Chef Dan and his team for sharing their time, talent, and aloha with our HUGS dads!!

HUGS Dad's Night provides peer support from other dads facing the similar challenges of caring for a seriously ill child and build lifelong friendships that is fueled by sharing a common bond. To learn more about our programs, visit www.hugshawaii.org

💗 Happy National Nonprofit Day!Today, we celebrate the nonprofits making a difference in our communities and the people ...
08/17/2026

💗 Happy National Nonprofit Day!

Today, we celebrate the nonprofits making a difference in our communities and the people who make it all possible.

At HUGS, we’re grateful to our donors, volunteers, partners and supporters who help us provide care, connection and support to Hawaiʻi’s seriously ill keiki and their families.

Mahalo for being part of our HUGS Ê»ohana! đŸ’•đŸ€™

Congratulations to HUGS Board President, Joe Castaneda of REMAX Hawaii West Oahu for being for being selected as one of ...
08/14/2026

Congratulations to HUGS Board President, Joe Castaneda of REMAX Hawaii West Oahu for being for being selected as one of 2026 Pacific Business News 40 under 40!

Joe started with HUGS as a volunteer, then president of the HUGS HIP Squad and now serves as the HUGS Board President as of January this year. We greatly appreciate him for supporting our families and being a true HUGS Champion and advocate.

We’re gearing up for our 4th Annual Paddle for HUGS Pickleball Tournament Presented by Arrillaga on November 7, 2026, an...
08/14/2026

We’re gearing up for our 4th Annual Paddle for HUGS Pickleball Tournament Presented by Arrillaga on November 7, 2026, and we’re looking for prize donations to make this year’s event extra special!

🎉 Prizes will be given out in drawings for all participating players — it’s our way of saying mahalo for supporting local families with seriously ill children.

If you’d like to donate a gift card, product, or experience, please reach out to [email protected]. Or send us a DM. Your generosity makes a difference! 💛

Also if you’d like play but didn’t sign up yet register now at givebutter.com/paddleforhugs2026 or see link in our bio.

Saturday, November 7, 2026
From 8am



For this month's HUGS Volunteer Spotlight, please meet Marcus"I was born and raised on O‘ahu and am a proud grad. I wor...
08/13/2026

For this month's HUGS Volunteer Spotlight, please meet Marcus

"I was born and raised on O‘ahu and am a proud grad. I worked for HPD before moving to Arizona and changing careers to aviation. Flying around the states has become a big part of my life, but Hawai‘i will always be home. I love spending time with my family and friends and being an active part of the community whenever I can.

I first started volunteering with HUGS in February 2022. What really stood out to me was how much the organization does for kids and families going through some really hard times. It means a lot to be even a small part of something that brings such amazing support, comfort, and loads of joy.

Volunteering with HUGS has really taught me how much the simple moments matter. Whether it’s playing a game, talking story, helping at an event, or just being there, showing up can mean a lot to the kids and everyone else involved. Being around our HUGS ‘ohana always reminds me how strong they are and how important it is for them to know they are not alone.

Being lucky enough to volunteer with HUGS has turned into something I look forward to every year. The yearly Sib Camp is on my calendar a year out and is by far one of the most meaningful things I am a part of. The kids, families, staff, and volunteers all make a true ‘ohana filled with passion and love. I always leave feeling grateful, inspired, and maybe a little teary-eyed to leave. But I won’t admit that, especially not on a public post...

For anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say just do it! The volunteers and staff are some of the most welcoming and amazing people I know, and the kids are even better. You do not need to know exactly what to say or do. Just show up with kindness and an open heart. You may show up hoping to make a difference for someone else, but I can guarantee HUGS will make a difference in you too."

To learn about how you can volunteer for HUGS, visit www.hugshawaii.org/volunteer

Address

3636 Kilauea Avenue
Honolulu, HI
96816

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18087324846

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to HUGS (Help, Understanding & Group Support):

Shortcuts

Featured

Share