Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Rainbow Fever Athletic Scholarship

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September 20, 2012

Honolulu and Hilo — The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Foundation aka HFIA Rainbow Fever Program has awarded $920,727 to fuel athletic scholarships at UH Mānoa and UH Hilo. This gift establishes two endowments, with $828,653.53 supporting the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Rainbow Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Mānoa and $92,072.60 for the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Vulcan Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Hilo.

“The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association is proud of its long-standing relationship with UH Athletics and is pleased to create these two endowment funds to assist student-athletes at both UH Mānoa and UH Hilo in completing their education,” said Bonny Amemiya, Immediate Past Chair, HFIA Foundation. She continued, “The Rainbow Fever Program was an idea that was introduced by the late Stan Sheriff and then executed with resounding success by many supportive customers, grocery and convenience retailers and food suppliers across the State. Through an unprecedented industry effort, this program raised over $2 million through the sale of select products, and we feel fortunate to be in a position to support UH student-athletes in attaining their degrees.”

The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Rainbow Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Mānoa will support fifth-year athletic scholarships. If fifth-year scholarships are fully funded, remaining funds in that academic year may be used for summer school scholarships. Recipients must be full-time, undergraduate, student-athletes participating in any sport at the UH Mānoa, who have completed their eligibility and are completing their education as a fifth-year student. Students must be in full compliance with all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and applicable conference rules and regulations.

“We appreciate all the companies and individuals who supported the Rainbow Fever Program over the years and the board’s leadership to create a lasting legacy for the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association,” said UH Mānoa chancellor Tom Apple. He continued, “This generous gift ensures scholarship support for today and tomorrow’s student-athletes and assists in our primary goal; graduation. Thank you again for being a part of Hawaiʻi’s team.”

The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Vulcan Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Hilo will provide athletic scholarships to student athletes at UH Hilo. Recipients must be full-time, undergraduate, student-athletes participating in any sport and be in full compliance with all NCAA and applicable conference rules and regulations.

“This is an exciting and intensely impactful gift for Vulcan Athletics,” said Dexter Irvin, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Scholarships for athletes are key to motivating students, encouraging their success and fueling recruitment efforts for the University, thus ensuring we maintain a competitive position in the Pacific West Conference and the NCAA. This is a wonderful example of a partnership and we hope others will join HIFA and create new opportunities for students at the University."

Barry Taniguchi, KTA Superstores and HFIA representative, Dexter Irvin, UH Hilo Athletics Director, and Derek Kurisu, KTA Superstores and HFIA representative.

 

9/15/12 - Photo taken at first time out, during the game against Lamar at the Aloha Stadium. From L-R: HFIA executive committee member Alan Nakamura; HFIA executive director Lauren Zirbel; HFIA executive committee member Bonny Amemiya; Vincent Baldemor president of ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue; UH Mānoa chancellor Tom Apple; and UH Foundation vice president for development Greg Willems

To learn more about how you can support UH Mānoa athletics visit www.hawaiiathletics.com. You can also make a secure gift online at www.koaanuenue.org

To learn more about how you can support UH Hilo athletics please contact Andrea Furuli, associate director of development at (808) 933-3112 or Andrea.Furuli@UHFoundation.org

You can also make a gift online at www.uhfoundation.org/GivetoUHHAthletics

The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. The mission of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is to unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations www.uhfoundation.org.

ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue (AKA) is the designated organization responsible for the coordination and oversight of all fundraising activities that are conducted to benefit and support the UH Mānoa athletics programs. This includes, but is not limited to, booster clubs, planned gifts and the preferred seating program.

The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation receives and holds all of the contributions and donations that are made to AKA and any of the booster clubs that support the UH Mānoa athletics programs. UHF has established separate accounts for AKA and each of the booster clubs that all donor contributions and donations are deposited into. All of the funds received by UHF on behalf of AKA and each of the booster clubs are assets of UHF and are reported by UHF in its audited financial statements and on its annual Form 990 filed with the IRS. For more information on AKA please visit www.KoaAnuenue.org.