YWCA Oahu - Laniākea

The YWCA is absolutely beautiful and a great place that does amazing work in the community. I recently stopped by to donate old prom dresses because they provide them direct to high school girls in need! Cafe Julia is here and I've seen beautiful weddings be hosted in this space!

One of the most admirable programs the YWCA supports is "Dress for Success", helping women boost their confidence as they enter/re-enter the workforce. I was involved in a similar program in the San Francisco Bay Area; there is universal support for women. Showing support can be manifested in several ways (see the YWCA's website), including attending their Pre-Loved Clothing Sales, with great prices, held once a month.The sales are published on their website, or by signing up for email notifications. Both the quality and quantity of clothing are 'knock your socks off' experience - wonderful donations with proceeds going to the program. The sale is held on the 2nd floor Gym from 10-5; payment is with cash or credit card...BYOBag. Parking can be a bit of a challenge...meter on the street or across the street in the Iolani Palace paid-for-parking lot. Either way, plan on spending at least an hour at the sale - everything is neatly laid out, sorted, and organized...way to go, YWCA!

I haven't been a member very long but I have enjoyed going to the aqua fit classes led by Derrick Kam, who not only leads us with water exercises using water bar bells but provides us with fun music to sing along with as we move through our exercises. In addition, I use the gym on the second floor. You have to book your time so there's no waiting to use equipment. The place is kept clean but the mats could be replaced. NOTE: The YWCA's Health & Fitness programs will be ending as of March 31, 2024 due to low usage and a reduction in membership since COVID. Folks who work downtown used to use this facility at lunch but since then, most have not returned. The Board has decided to end these essential programs without input from the membership. Some of us in the aqua fit class have spoken to the Governor and Speaker of the House about our plight and KHON-2 covered us on TV. We won't go down without trying to save these essential programs first.

Group exercise program closed abruptly at the end of March 2024 with notice given to members only in January. Poor management and lack of honesty and financial transparency by Board of Directors and paid management staff. It didn't have to be this way. So disappointing. For decades, it was a neighborhood gathering place for many years and an invaluable fitness resource for seniors - not anymore. You can't even sit in the lobby anymore, they took away the tables and chairs.

Annual Benefit Clothing Sale 2020 - November 18 and 19, 2020 from 10am to 2pm...If you are looking for great deals, come to the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) on Richards Street, located across from Iolani Palace. This YWCA is situated between the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and Alii Place. Metered street parking is along Richards Street and King Street and even at the nearby Post Office. On Sundays, metered street parking is free!!!I first learned about the Annual Benefit Clothing Sale from Facebook. I marked my calendar, then saw an Instagram contest, so, I entered and won $20 worth of items. At $5 per piece, I was able to select 4 things for free! Mahalo!!!I actually went at 10am on the first day of the sale (11-18-20). The line to get in was rather long, so, I went to lunch and came back. I strolled right in at 1pm and had an hour to shop before they closed at 2pm. There were bargains on shoes, purses, tote bags, and clothing. I saw name brands such as Christian Dior, Ann Klein, Ralph Lauren, etc. Some clothing still had tags on them, indicating that they were never worn! For sure, I will return again next year. The YWCA has great programs such as the Dress For Success and job training for those entering the work force. As a child, my mom enrolled me in classes like cooking, swimming, and sewing. When I was older, I took a hula class and even did aerobics since I worked in downtown at the time!Ahhh... Such happy memories! Thanks to the YWCA for all the community service that you do!

I remember coming here to take dance lessons during middle school, and of course, the architecture here has always fascinated me. A hundred years later (or what seems that way now that I'm much older), the YWCA Laniakea has evolved with the needs of the community and offers so much more.We got a behind the scenes look at some of the cool things going on, such as:* the Patsy T. Mink Center for Leadership and Development offers counseling and resources to help women succeed as entrepreneurs and small business owners * the fitness center offers a myriad of classes including barre (shades of my ballet lessons here come to mind!) as well as use of various fitness machines in an air conditioned room and the 84 degree pool perfect for clients who have special needs* dress for success helps women in transition (eg, from incarceration back into society) with clothing, shoes, accessories, toiletries and makeup as well as interview training and resume writingI was mostly impressed with the passion and commitment of the organization's leadership and staff to help women become all that they can be whether it is through physical transformation (health and wellness) or advancing their careers.In this day and age, the mission to "Eliminate Racism, Empowering Women" resonates even louder than when the organization was founded a hundred years ago. The facility at first appearance seems a bit dated but it is clean and efforts to maintain it are probably based on membership fees and donations.They can always use volunteers, as well as new/gently used career clothing (women and men), new female undergarments and bras, jewelry for interview outfits, unused makeup, and of course financial contributions.Oh, and they have a great restaurant Cafe Julia right on premise!So check em out!

I am so happy that this YWCA on Richards Street accepts donations for working women! I have donated alot of my dresses, shoes, handbags for their Dress for Success Program. Their Success for Women program have monthly sales for women who are getting back in the workforce needing professional work attire!I also understand that many have found good buys that costs as little as $5!I know i have donated many brand named dresses and designer evening wear throughout the years! The staff is very grateful and offer a donation receipt too!Mahalo to the YWCA!

I haven't hit the gym in a hot minute. And I realized I was getting a little tubby and decided to use my employer's Active & Fit Program as an incentive to get back into shape.Active & Fit will reimburse your fees ($200 in my case) when you work out for 30 minutes for 45 days. Note: this is per calendar year. That means you need to complete this requirement by 12/31 to qualify for reimbursement. I got a bit turned around at YWCA, but it's ok. I eventually found the Fitness Center. And I was eyeing the pool like crazy. I plan on participating in the AquaFit Classes, free swim, or laps, sounds really appealing. I'm definitely a water person. Today I just did a couple miles on a stationary bike. I'll try the stair master tomorrow.

My review will be based on a phone call I made. I simply just called about how to send flowers to my Aunt in the building. I wanted to send my Aunt a thank you bouquet of flowers for our stay in Hawaii. The woman who answered (possibly receptionist) was very pleasant and very informative. She told me the department where my Aunt worked in and the address I can send it to. Very detailed and helpful.She also sounded very patient and did everything she can to ask if I needed anything else to help me on this task. Wonderful phone etiquette and helpful.

Large salads..fresh and filling. Quick service..pleasant ambience and staff. Yummy lobster roll. Mango mint mojito..without alcohol..to die for!!