Lynn Takeshita and Chloe Nobuhara
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Last year Punahou sophomores Chloe Nobuhara and Lynn Takeshita set out on a mission to start a nonprofit that would bring technology to those living in shelters and low-income housing.
“Many people have limited access to technological resources; therefore, we wanted to provide electronics to those who cannot afford it,” says Chloe, 16 (pictured on right).
She and Lynn, 15, began collecting used Gameboys, cell phones and iPods from family and friends, and soon realized there are a lot of people out there with perfectly good electronics that are just gathering dust.
“Ka’ana Tech was started to take all those outdated or unused electronics and provide technology to those who cannot afford it,” says Chloe, who runs cross country and track.
While their organization currently is not a recognized nonprofit, they are going through the certification process with the IRS. In the meantime, the students have been steadily accepting donations from businesses and individuals and distributing the goods to other nonprofits themselves.
“The only thing we don’t do is driving - yet!” adds Lynn, also a runner who is a member of the KEY Club, Japanese Okinawan Club and is on her school’s yearbook committee.
So far they have collected multiple Gameboys, iPods and several laptops and printers, but they also will take headphones, battery chargers and video games.
“We decided our goal would not be to collect a specific amount of electronics, but rather how many organizations we are able to reach. This is because we hope to make connections with as many organizations as possible and then provide them with a continuous supply of technology,” Chloe explains. “Within the next two years, we hope to have established strong connections with at least five different nonprofits.”
Chloe and Lynn will graduate in 2013, and both have their sights set on going to a college on the East Coast. But before they leave, they hope to see Ka’ana Tech obtain nonprofit status so that their younger siblings can take over operations smoothly in their absence.
To make a donation, contact the girls at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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