WHO'S REGULATING HAWAI'I'S CHARITIES?

Ever wonder how much of your donation goes to the actual good deeds the charity is supposed to perform? Or how much the top executive is paid at your favorite charity? Do you know how much the organization spends on fundraising?

The Advertiser today launches a Web service that allows readers to find answers to those questions for hundreds of Hawai'i charities. It was developed as part of the research for a series that will be published beginning Sunday.

The database, at www.honoluluadvertiser.com/fyi, can be searched in many ways, such as by charity name or by the percentage of revenue that is spent on fundraising. The Advertiser database contains statistics on more than 650 Hawai'i charities, and we invite you to use it. If you find something you think is newsworthy, call series reporter Rob Perez at 525-8054 or e-mail him at rperez@honoluluadvertiser.com.