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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.

Working to Restore ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i

The Ford Foundation is supporting the critical work of UH Hilo’s Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani, renowned for its Hawaiian language revitalization success.

Bringing More Doctors to Hawai‘i Island

Dr. Earl Bakken’s Lau Hawai‘i Fund encourages Native Hawaiian students to pursue medical careers and addresses physician shortages on Hawaiʻi Island.

Cultivating Future Physicians for Hawai‘i

Wo scholarships at JABSOM encourage student achievement and open doors for students who need financial support.

Going to UH, Staying Close to ‘Ohana

Nicole Kiana Oka shares her deep gratitude for receiving a Regents Scholarship at UH Mānoa in her remarks from an event honoring Sen. Daniel Akaka.

Remembering Loving, Encouraging Parents

Dr. Santosh Sharma pursued a rewarding career as physician and scientist with her parents’ encouragement. To honor them, she has endowed a chair at JABSOM.

High School Students Learn from the Land

25 college-bound graduates from Hawaii Island’s Kea‘au High School lived for six weeks on the UH Hilo campus. The experience was life-changing.

Long Live BHIVER: Celebrating Matt Smith

When they lost their talented 23-year-old son Matt, Vince and Annette Smith established an art scholarship to help art students and honor Matt’s legacy of creativity.

Moyers Fund Cancer Care for Maui Families

“Clinical trials of medications offer HOPE. This endowment will allow everyone the opportunity for clinical trials ... right here on Maui.” —Tim Moyer

Investing in Healthy Hearts

Dr. Ralph Shohet’s grandfather died of a heart attack in 1977. “If we had been able to treat him with modern approaches, we might have had another 10 years with him.”