2022 Year End Giving
The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi’s 2022 Year End Appeal letters should be hitting your mailboxes any day now. This year’s letter features the reflections of long-time member, donor, outings leader, ExCom member, super volunteer, Randy Ching. Randy looks back on his nearly 40 years with the Sierra Club, sharing why he remains so steadfastly dedicated to the club and why you should continue to support our work.
If you just can’t wait for your mail to read what Randy has to share, you can read his heartfelt letter below.
Aloha,
Randy Ching
Nearly 40 years ago, I joined the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, looking to expand my horizons as an avid hiker and nature enthusiast. Under mentors such as the awesome and incredibly knowledgeable Annette Kaʻohelauliʻi, I soon learned to lead outings and service projects, and quickly came to admire and love the Chapter and the people who it brought together. In the following decades I ended up serving the Chapter in nearly every possible volunteer capacity, leading outings and service projects, chairing the O‘ahu Group, and even serving as the Chapter executive committee vice president, among many other roles.
Over the years, I have watched the Hawai‘i Chapter evolve and grow – helping legions of folks connect with the ‘āina and with each other; hiring staff to organize volunteers and lead our advocacy; and launching campaign after campaign to take on the most pressing issues facing our islands and our planet. Today, the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi has become an unmatched advocate for the ʻāina, using research, genuine relationships, and the passion and skills of our committed staff, volunteers, and members to push back against the biggest, most powerful polluters and resource exploiters in our islands. Not out of spite for the damage these institutions have caused, but out of love – love for our home, for each other, for all that Hawaiʻi nei has blessed us with.
I can honestly say that the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi is unmatched; one-of-a-kind in this work. We’ve held the line against mega-corporations to protect our coastal waters – and coastal waters across the continent – in the United States Supreme Court; we’ve pushed Hawai‘i’s legislature to establish and maintain our islands as a climate policy leader; and we’ve turned the tide against the United States Navy itself in defense of our precious water, all in just the last few years. Most importantly, all of our work is done with integrity – never losing sight of the fact that our biggest environmental challenges – and solutions – are inextricably tied to the need for restorative justice and compassion for all who share these islands as our home.
Six years ago I gave most of my life savings to the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i. I have never regretted this decision. If there is one local organization that holds the key to our islands’ future resilience and livability, that has the heart, the knowledge and the skills to defend all that makes Hawaiʻi such a special place to live, the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi is it. However, this mission is huge, and the work that must be done – holding the line against corporations and bureaucracies, pushing for the bold but critical policies we need, and expanding our base of activated and engaged members and partners – still needs to be funded. Please, take a moment to join me in contributing to the funds needed to support the Chapter’s work. We can all stand proud to be members of the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, and we can stand prouder knowing that we helped sustain this incredible organization for ourselves, our children, and future generations of Hawai‘i nei.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Randy