HONOLULU, HAWAII-Friends of Hawaii Charities, Inc. announced it would honor more than 100 Hawaii not-for-profit organizations with a total annual record-level contribution of $1,000,000. The grants focus on programs that benefit Hawaii's children, youth, women, and needy. The record funding was raised through 2005 professional golf events including the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA TOUR golf tournament, the Champions Tour Turtle Bay Championship, and the inaugural LPGA SBS OPEN at Turtle Bay, and several charity donations. The majority of the funding was raised through the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA TOUR golf tournament in a charity partnership with The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.

"When Friends of Hawaii Charities was formed seven years ago, we envisioned this time that we would meet our goal of raising $1 million for Hawaii's much needed charities. This is made possible through the support of Sony Corporation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., 1,500 extraordinary volunteers, and the 140 valued sponsor of the Sony Open in Hawaii, Hawaii's largest sports fund-raising event," said Anthony R. Guerrero, Jr., president, Friends of Hawaii Charities. "We've come a long way since our first charity distributions in 1999 of $256,000," added Guerrero.

Friends of Hawaii Charities was formed in 1998 to provide funding for projects directed toward children, youth, women, and needy. Friends and charity partner, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., have raised more than $5,000,000 which has been directed to grant applicants representing charitable entities operating under Federal 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status.

Friends of Hawaii Charities invites the community and avid golfers to join them in supporting Hawaii's charities by joining the Friends Club-a membership program that gives a premium Sony Open in Hawaii 2006 gift package for a personal contribution. The Sony Open in Hawaii 2006 golf tournament will be held at the Waialae Country Club Golf Course January 9 - 15. For more information, please visit www.friendsofhawaii.org or call 523-7888.

Media Contact:
Bill Bachran/Lori Yip
(808) 523-7888