2008 marks our 70th Anniversary!

In 1938 Na‘alehu Federal Credit Union was formed to serve the employees and families of the Hutchison Sugar Plantation Company. Over the years the credit union grew. Sugar was the main industry and employer of Ka`u, and all the Hawaiian Islands.

In 1972, Hutchison Sugar merged with Hawaiian Agriculture Company which operated a sugar plantation out of Pahala. This new company changed its name to Ka‘u Sugar Co. and, in 1983, merged with the Ka‘u Mac-Nut Division and changed its name to Ka‘u Agribusiness Co., Inc.. Ka‘u Agribusiness is owned by C. Brewer, a top 10 company in Hawai‘i.

With the 1966 merger, The Na‘alehu Federal Credit Union amended its charter and became a community based financial cooperative. Its field of membership included residents and families of the 1st and 2nd Precincts of the 4th Representative District of the State of Hawai‘i. At the time this encompassed most of the district of Ka‘u. As new members came from throughout the district, the name was changed to Ka‘u Federal Credit Union in March 1972. This defined the true field of membership.

In 1995 there was a review of the boundaries of the precincts as defined in 1966. It was found that due to political reapportionment the geographic boundaries had moved and did not include the intended area to be served by the credit union. The field of membership was redefined as of October 1995 to include those who live, work or worship and businesses in the District of Ka‘u as defined by the maps of the County of Hawai‘i. This geographic description coincides with the real membership and properly abuts on areas serviced by either the Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union and the Puna Federal Credit Union.

In mid 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 Ka‘u Federal Credit Union operates.

As a result of this new designation the credit union has availed itself to grants and low interest loans. These initiatives supported the branching out of on line services in Ocean View and Pahala. Of particular interest is on November 17, 1997, the Ka‘u Federal Credit Union was the first financial institution to open an office in Ocean View, Hawai‘i.

Another milestone for the Ka‘u Federal Credit Union is winning first place in a national competition for winning first place the Louise Herring Credit Union Philosophy in action award. The recognition is a result of the credit union taking the necessary steps to provide financial services to the underserved areas of Ka‘u. The award is presented by The Credit Union National Association.

In 2000 the Ka‘u Federal Credit Union began to find ways to be more directly involved in the socio-economic development of Ka‘u. In February its certification from the U.S. Treasury Department as a Community Development Financial Institution. this has already opened the doors for arbitrage opportunities. The credit union has become an approved lender to obtain guarantees from the U.S. Farm Service Agency and has applied for acceptance in the Small Business Development Administration's Program 7(a) guarantee program.

The Ka‘u Federal Credit Union continues to strive to meet its mission to be the primary financial institution of its membership within its limitations with offices throughout Ka‘u and a wide range of products and services, it is heading in the right direction.