Talk Story with UH Foundation Board Chair, J. Kuhio Asam, M.D.

Tell us a little about yourself:
Born and raised on the island of O‘ahu, I enjoyed the benefits of an extended family that honored diversity with my blended heritage of Hawaiian, Chinese, and Caucasian ancestries.

As a firm believer in life-long learning, my education journey began with my family in the home and continued into the Hawai‘i Public School system, The Kamehameha Schools, Yale University and the University of Hawai‘i's John A. Burns School of Medicine.

During my career, I have served as an adult and child psychiatrist; medical, clinic and hospital administrator; and supported our keiki and kupuna through participation on a variety of non-profit community boards. As the Executive Director of Lunalilo Home and Trust I am instituting a transformative strategy to extend the reach of elderly services into communities.

Along with my wife, Claire L. Asam, who holds both a Masters and a Doctorate degree from the University of Hawai‘i, we have instilled in our two adult sons the importance of a solid education, the kuleana or responsibility to commit to supporting our community and of making a difference.

Why have you chosen to dedicate time and energy to the UH Foundation?
My first introduction to the UH Foundation was thirty years ago when Claire and I made donations to fund post graduate physician training programs to increase minority representation in the fields of medicine. These programs have been critical in fulfilling specialty needs in our communities. Our investment three decades ago has made a difference and today we all benefit from a greater and more diverse community of physicians.

When I was asked to join the Board, I strongly considered the potential returns on my time and energy in terms of the degree to which the Foundation makes a difference.

I consulted with others whom I respect and the consensus was that participation on the Board would have far reaching potential to contribute to the vibrancy of our community, our neighbors and future generations.

How, one might ask, can support of the University of Hawai‘i through the Foundation have such a significant impact? The answer becomes clear when considering how extensive the University's reach is as the hub of higher education in the State of Hawai‘i.

UH is an important economic driver for Hawai‘i and is a major employer and primary educator for our diverse workforce. UH is a stimulator and an incubator for ideas, a setting for nurturing excellent healers, thinkers, defenders of our rights, as well as protectors of our environment.

Where else would an investment in future generations have such potential for rich returns than the University of Hawai‘i where exploring the depths of our oceans and peering into the heavens – all while honoring a rich host culture and celebrating diversity – are time honored and proven?

The decision to join the board was easy!

What is your vision for the UH Foundation?
The University of Hawai‘i Foundation will be recognized as the premier organization that provides a collaborative opportunity for each and everyone – in their own way and at the right time – to make personal, meaningful contributions and investments in current and future generations through the support of the University of Hawai‘i, its students, faculty, programs and research.

In order to accomplish this, it is crucial that the Foundation be highly successful in its management of that with which it has been entrusted. With continued successes in hand, the Foundation must celebrate and share the manner in which donor investments pay dividends; have significant impact in the lives of students, faculty and our communities; and advance the generation of new and exciting ideas in order that we all experience a more vibrant and healthy world.

These stories of success and these impacts must be promulgated so that they touch all who are within the University's widening reach and compel everyone to find a way to be a part of this exciting investment in our collective future and make a difference.