Eleven Maui nonprofit agencies received $1,000 grants from Kaiser Permanente Hawaii in celebration of the healthcare provider's 50th anniversary.

Kaiser physicians and staff members were asked to nominate organizations that improve health in the community. The Maui grants were the first to be announced under a program that will hand out $1,000 awards to 50 groups statewide.

The awardees are Imua Family Services, Hale Kau Kau at St. Theresa's Church, Special Olympics Maui, Hale Mauka, Na Hoaloha Maui Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Kaunoa Senior Services, the American Lung Association, Hospice Maui Inc., Maui Family YMCA, Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike and Community Work Day Program.

Kaiser has 49,000 members on Maui, about 33 percent of the population.