Arc of Hilo Chosen as Ohana Fuels Charity Beneficiary for Spring Quarter

Every gallon of gas sold at Ohana Fuels stations on the Big Island this spring now carries a second purpose. The Arc of Hilo was named the second-quarter beneficiary of Ohana Fuels' "Fuel up. Do good." program, directing a portion of each gallon's proceeds toward the nonprofit's Career Exploration initiative through the end of June.

The selection connects routine fill-ups at the pump to one of the island's more pressing youth programs. Career Exploration targets a specific gap: young people with disabilities who age out of high school without employment often remain enrolled in school until age 22 with few options waiting on the other side. The program works to convert that transition period into paid work.

Robert Efford, CEO of the Arc of Hilo, described the partnership in direct terms: "Every time you fuel up at Ohana Fuels stations, you're benefiting kids through The Arc of Hilo's youth transition program, Career Exploration."

The Arc holds a distinct position in the Big Island's workforce landscape as Hawaii Island's largest employer of adults and youth with disabilities. The organization's reach extends beyond employment services; it also provides personal attendant and community living support, along with residential housing for low-income seniors, families, and people with disabilities across the island.

Corporate partnerships like Ohana Fuels' quarterly program carry a dual value for the Arc. The per-gallon donations provide direct funding, while the public visibility can draw new employer partners, volunteers, and policy attention to workforce inclusion on an island where cost of living and limited transportation infrastructure compound the challenges already facing people with disabilities.

The "Fuel up. Do good." campaign rotates its beneficiary each quarter, making the Arc of Hilo the program's second designee. The three-month window running through June gives Career Exploration a defined period to expand the number of internships, job placements, or training slots available to Big Island youth with disabilities.