Help is en Route

Imagine returning to your beach towel after a quick dip on vacation only to find your wallet and car keys missing… What if your rental car was broken into or stolen? Or worse, what if your brief swim was ruined by a terrible injury on the rocks?

Emergency help may be necessary on vacation, whether it be for crime or social services. But who do you turn to when you’re miles away from home and don’t know a soul?

The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai‘i, also known as VASH, was founded in 1997 to do just this: serve Hawai‘i’s ever-thriving community of visitors. Founded by the Rotary Club of Honolulu, VASH is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit that helps visitors in distress, traumatized by crime or other adversities, by offering support services to share the aloha spirit with those in need.

“We want visitors to receive the support they need and strive to ensure that they have the best possible experience while they are here, regardless of the hardships they may have faced,” Jessica Lani Rich, VASH President and CEO, shares.

According to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), a total of 4.78 million visitors arrived in Hawai‘i in the first half of 2024, and unfortunately, some of these visitors will need special assistance due to an accident, illness or theft. Over a 10-year period, from 2014 to 2024, VASH has assisted an average of 1,705 people per year, averaging about 142 visitors per month—and these figures do not reflect the total number of people who may need help.

By offering a one-of-a-kind service, VASH helps the tourism industry that our islands relies so heavily upon, assuring that travelers leave with a positive image of Hawai‘i, regardless of what unfortunate events may happen to them on vacation— and that they return.

“... Because tourism is our No. 1 industry, it’s very important to maintain our reputation that Hawai‘i is a good place to visit,” Lani Rich states. “Also, a large number of residents work in the tourism industry. By taking care of our visitors, we are doing all we can to support our tourism partners ... We want visitors to leave Hawai‘i with a good feeling and to return to our islands as a result of the aloha shown to them.”

Lani Rich, a former Stephen’s minister — a Christian program that teaches people to aid those dealing with grief or loss — was inspired to start VASH after her father passed away outside the U.S. She remembered that frustrating feeling of helplessness when you are unable to receive key information from abroad and don’t know who to contact; she did not want this same disheartening situation for Hawai‘i visitors.

Lani Rich’s over 20 years of helping others includes Critical Incident Stress Foundation training and her role as the Pacific rep for Travelers Aid International. Her connections with local law enforcement, tourism, and first responders assure she and her team are first in line to help when a domestic or international traveler is in need.

The VASH assistance team steps in until the visitor in need is autonomous, which usually involves being able to get in touch with friends and/or family. The assistance offered includes, but is not limited to, translation support, moral support, as well as assistance with discounted hotels, and help with local funeral arrangements. VASH can provide visitors with clothing, meal vouchers, toiletries, ground transportation and aloha gifts, such as candy or personal items.

From assisting stranded honeymooners, to those experiencing a serious fatal accident, or a backpack robbery on the beach, Lani Rich and her team come to the rescue.

And there are many testimonies of VASH’s wonderful works. “VASH assisted a woman from Denmark who was traveling with her teenage son and had her purse stolen,” cites Lani Rich as one example. “She had no money or identification, and they were flying to the mainland the following day to reunite with family ... We bought the visitors dinner, met with the woman the following day, and gave her gift cards and a new wallet, and provided transportation to the airport.”

Another example is when VASH helped the “Miracle Man” hiker who survived a 1,000-foot fall. He was reported missing, and miraculously, was found a few days later. “VASH went to the hospital ER when he arrived there, visited him several times at the hospital, and provided meals, moral support, and ground transportation to him and to his family who flew in. We also hosted a news conference for the visitor ... so that he could thank local first responders and community members who made his rescue possible.”

The majority of VASH funding comes from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, which is supplemented by donations from businesses and the public. “On Dec. 6, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Travel & Tourism Research Association (TTRA) – Hawai‘i Chapters are hosting their Industry Holiday Breakfast and Fundraiser for VASH,” Lani Rich shares. “This is an important event because it is our major fundraiser for the year.”

VASH assists those in crisis on the island of O‘ahu, and has three independently operated chapters on the neighbor islands of Hawai‘i, Maui and Kaua‘i, which, on occasion, may collaborate with each other for assistance.

“Our volunteers care about people and bring an array of skills and life experiences,” Lani Rich shares for those wanting to get involved. “We offer opportunities handling visitor cases, helping in the office and with special projects, and participating in special events.”