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In celebration of Volunteer Month, Hawai‘i Community Foundation highlights, Gene Bal: He Came Home to Maui to Make a Difference
Maui runs in Gene Bal’s blood. Now a UH Regent and Maui community leader, he was born here, moved around the world, served in the Navy, and finally returned home after thirty years away. “Moving back gave me the opportunity to connect with the place that is home,” he said. At that time, Gene started volunteering —first locally, then with state and national organizations. “Seeing the people we helped—talking to them, hearing their stories. You realize you are touching lives,” he says. To Gene, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) isn’t simply giving back to the community. It’s planting seeds. Reflecting on his time volunteering on the HCF Board of Governors, he said, “It was an awakening, seeing the depth of
knowledge, resources, sophistication, and discipline. I had the opportunity to bring all I’d learned to nonprofit organizations on Maui, with an emphasis on leadership development and governance.”
“Seeing the people we help— talking to them, hearing their stories. You realize you are touching lives.” As one of HCF’s Maui Scholarship Ambassadors, Gene said he felt a deep personal satisfaction and a desire to encourage volunteerism in others. “There is so much more to be gained from volunteering than people understand,” he said. “I’m in the twilight of my time here, so now we’re mentoring the next generation to keep the good going.”
Did You Know ... In 2000, HCF formed leadership councils on Maui, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i. These councils, made up of community-minded volunteers, form new partnerships and advise on issues relevant to their respective islands.
Learn how it’s about you - HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/you