Hawaii nonprofit marks 15 years of bringing healthcare, housing to most vulnerable

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow)- Nonprofit Project Vision Hawaii is hosting its annual fundraiser to expand access to health and human services for the state’s most vulnerable residents.

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Executive Director Darrah Kauhane and Director of Philanthropy & Marketing Ryan Naka joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about The Eye Ball 2026, an annual casino night gala marking its 15th anniversary. The event is set for Saturday, Aug. 29, at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach from 5 to 9 p.m.

“We started off as an optometry and ophthalmology organization. But now it’s our wider vision, our hope for Hawaii and the Pacific. We do more of equitable access to health care, social services, and even housing now. It’s been quite a wild ride, but really grateful to have gone through this journey together with so many volunteers and partners across the state,” said Kauhane.

Proceeds will support staffing, supplies and other expenses that allow Project Vision Hawaii to bring services directly to access-challenged communities statewide. Barriers to care include lack of insurance, geographic challenges, cultural barriers and limited or no income.

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“We find people in a really vulnerable place and we get to work with them to get employment, go back to school, all of these things. And so, to see the transformation literally from, start to where they are now, it’s pretty amazing,” said Naka.

Project Vision Hawaii operates mobile hygiene units offering hot showers, wound care, and case management. It also provides housing placement through kauhale (tiny home villages), assists with SNAP and Med-QUEST enrollment, and runs a dental clinic for those without insurance at the AUW building on Vineyard Boulevard.

Organizers say the evening will feature a traditional Hawaiian celebration with cultural performances, local flavors, and music and dance to mark 15 years of impact.

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For tickets, visit projectvisionhawaii.org/eyeball.