Gift Impact

No major university can grow and excel without a healthy mix of public and private funds. Private contributions leverage public funds and maximize taxpayer dollars. Through partnering with philanthropic investors, our university can sustain excellence and enhance the student experience, making our campuses learning destinations of choice.

Many of the donors who give major gifts to the University of Hawaiʻi do so to support a program, school, or area of study that they believe in. Without exception, their gift has a major impact on our students, faculty and campus community as a whole.

Recent Impact Stories

UH Hilo professor dedicates ag scholarship to late wife

The Margarita "Dayday" Hopkins Scholarship at UH Hilo’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management is dedicated to the memory of a remarkable woman who was Hawaiʻi County’s economic development specialist, responsible for its agriculture and natural resources programs. Dayday was also a lecturer in economics and ag business at UH Hilo, where her husband, retired professor Kevin Hopkins, also taught.

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities at UH pharmacy college

Ashley Fukuchi, a Moanalua High School and UH Hilo chemistry grad, had medical school in mind before a pre-pharmacy orientation course led to conversations with Hilo pharmacists and pursuit of her doctorate in pharmacy.

Love story born at UH yields legacy for future nurses, engineers

Ken and Donna Hayashida are making a substantial investment in their alma mater, with gifts totaling $250,000 to the College of Engineering and the Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing.

Remembering Fudge Matsuda

The late UH President Fujio 'Fudge' Matsuda leaves a legacy of learning for students through the Fujio and Amy Matsuda Scholarship.

Inaugural scholarships boost agripharmatech students

The Inge White scholarships will support two students every year in the Certificate of Achievement in Agripharmatech program.

Family memorializes beloved professor

Dr. Paul Bienfang strongly believed in education and mentoring students and making other people’s lives better.

Public health chair 'an enduring symbol' of parents’ values

"An endowed chair named after my mom and dad would be an enduring symbol and legacy to recognize them."

Scholarship for EMTs marks 32 years of memories and friendship

Years on staff gave a rare perspective on the struggles students face while completing the EMT and paramedic programs.

Award celebrates new architecture program

The school of architecture presented the inaugural Thomas S. Witten, FASLA Pulama ‘Aina award to Shun Ishimine.