When Scott Kaulukukui reflects on his family’s relationship with the University of Hawaiʻi, the story begins long before scholarship funds and endowments. It begins on the football field, where his father and uncle helped shape the very history of UH Athletics.
His dad, Solomon “Sol” Kaulukukui made his mark at UH as a gifted two-sport athlete, excelling in both football and baseball from 1946 to 1949. Known for his versatility and competitive spirit, Sol became a standout player whose contributions elevated UH’s athletic reputation during the post-WWII years. His achievements, alongside those of his older brother Tommy, helped lay the foundation for future generations of UH athletes and strengthened the Kaulukukui family’s enduring legacy within UH sports.
Both were eventually inducted into the prestigious UH Sports Circle of Honor, a testament to their impact as athletes and as ambassadors of the university. And in a rare tribute reserved for only the most iconic players, Tommy’s #32 jersey was retired, forever linking his name and number to the proud history of UH football.
Yet, despite their accomplishments, Scott remembers his father and uncle as modest, quiet men grounded in humility and shying away from recognition for their achievements. “My dad was never about the spotlight, nor was he a man of many words,” Scott said. “For him, it was about being part of something bigger – about discipline, teamwork and doing your best for the community you represent. Supporting UH Athletics is my family’s way of honoring those values.”
Sol and Tommy Kaulukukui were both inducted into the prestigious UH Sports Circle of Honor.
That desire to give back led the Kaulukukuis – with support from Scott’s spouse Shari, his sister Sheri Ogilvie, his older brother Solomon, Jr., and his 96-year-old mom Margaret – to establish the Solomon Kaulukukui Sr. Memorial Fund in 2014, which has since been turned into a endowment fund designed specifically to support UH football quarterbacks, the very position that had defined Sol’s collegiate career.
Over five years, the fund helped student-athletes navigate the dual demands of athletics and academics, creating opportunities that extended far beyond the playing field. Though the program paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family’s dedication did not waver. Today, the endowment continues to provide vital support to the UH football program, ensuring that Sol’s influence lives on through the athletes who follow in his footsteps.
For Scott, who grew up immersed in athletics himself, the mission has always been clear. “The scholarship was never just about football,” he said. “It was about helping young men develop into leaders on the field, in the classroom and in the community. That’s what my dad believed in and valued, and it’s what our family wants to pass forward.”
The need for that kind of support has never been greater with the collegiate athletic landscape dramatically changing since the playing days of the Kaulukukuis. Donor contributions are critical to sustaining programs and creating the conditions where student-athletes can succeed.
“UH Athletics has given so much to our family, and to Hawaiʻi as a whole,” Scott said. “But we can’t take it for granted. The university needs people to step up – people who believe that when you support athletics, you’re really supporting Hawaiʻi’s future.”
As Scott often reflects, true legacy is measured not only in achievements, but in what is left behind for others. “We’ve got to remember where we came from to understand where we’re going,” Scott said. “It’s about what you leave behind for the next generation.”
When you give, you’re part of the team – join us at HawaiiAthletics.com/HawaiisTeam.
Questions? / More Information
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