Hotels that Help is a program of the Kohala Foundation, an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) private operating foundation, and all contributions to our programs are tax-deductible to the extent permissible by law.

Our funding comes from our generous donors, partners, membership fees, and wonderful supporters like you! Learn More or Support Us!

Hotels that Help is led by a small team of dedicated professionals, driving the hospitality industry to new levels of leadership and service.

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Jim Abrams, President
Jim Abrams formally joined Hotels that Help in January, 2009, as our President. Prior to that, Jim was President and CEO of the California Hotel & Lodging Association. He served as the association's chief executive since January 1, 1991.

Jim has also represented numerous owners and operators of hotel, motels, and bed and breakfast inns of all types and sizes on a wide variety of legal, governmental, and operational issues. He is the author of the book Laws Pertaining to the California Innkeeper (3rd rev. ed., 2002.)

Jim is a frequent speaker and writer on all aspects of the law relating to the lodging industry, and he is an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco, teaching Hospitality Law and Human Resource Issues.

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Dave Levenson, Founder
Dave Levenson, launched the Kohala Foundation in 2004 to demonstrate how businesses and business leaders could be true partners in creating positive social change. Inspired by examples from Social Venture Network and Positive Deviant Network, Dave envisions Kohala Foundation launching a variety of successful forprofit-nonprofit ventures.

Married to Cheri for over 30 years and a father of four, Dave now resides in San Anselmo, California. While living in Hawai'i and creating several successful ventures, Dave decided to volunteer at the local transitional housing cabins, located halfway between his office and the famous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Inspired by the challenges facing homeless people, including the shocking discovery that a previous client was now living at the shelter, Dave set out to leverage his talents for leveraging. In addition to raising money, Dave wanted to involve the hotel industry in creating solutions to homelessness. After an initial attempt in Hawai'i, Dave re-luanched what is now "Hotels that Help" in 2005, through an initial pilot with Chip Conley's Joie de Vivre Hospitality.