Naalehu / Hawaii / United States
In 1938 the credit union ( formerly known as Naalehu Federal Credit Union ) was formed to serve the employees and families of Hutchinson Sugar Plantation Company. Over the years the credit union grew. Sugar was the main industry and employer of Kau, as it was throughout the Territory of Hawaii. In 1972, Hutchinson Sugar merged with Hawaiian Agriculture Company, which operated a sugar plantation out of Pahala. This new company changed its name to Kau Sugar Company and in 1983 merged with the Kau Mac-Nut Division and changed its name to Kau Agribusiness Company, Inc Naalehu Federal Credit Union amended its charter and became a community based financial cooperative. The credit unions field of membership included residents and families of the 1st and 2nd Precincts of the 4th Representative District of the State of Hawaii. This area encompassed most of the District of Kau. As membership grew throughout the district the name of the credit union was changed to Kau Federal Credit Union in March 1972. In 1996 the credit union applied to the National Credit Union Administration ( NCUA ) and received formal designation as a low-income community development credit union. This designation realistically reflects the socio-economic environment in which Kau Federal Credit Union operates. Another milestone for the Kau Federal Credit Union was winning the Louise Herring Credit Union Philosophy in Action award. This national recognition is a result of the credit union taking the necessary steps to provide financial services to the underserved areas of Kau. As time marches on, Kau Federal Credit Union continues to strive to meet its mission to be the primary financial institution of its membership providing a wide range of financial products and services.
