UH West Oʻahu’s largest donors were celebrated and honored on Friday, when plaques noting their contributions were unveiled on specially designed plaques in the newly opened Administration and Health Sciences Building.

Hawai‘i has approximately 1,500 children in foster care programs. Joanne Wood’s family foundation, the Michael B. Wood Foundation, advocates for these children. Wood said that while foster families protect children from dangerous family situations, it is far too common for children to be shuffled between foster families until they ‘age out’ of the system. 

As part of the endowment, Kukahiko will receive $10,000 over two semesters to support the development of her program, Kauhale Kumu (teacher community), which focuses on the holistic retention of teachers in the Hawai‘i Department of Education (HIDOE) Hawaiian Immersion Program.

Kyung Sun “Kay” Chung is the benefactor of several scholarship endowments at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, aiming for increased understanding and appreciation of U.S. linkages to Korea’s culture, economy and law.

Individuals can make a difference, even in face of enormous obstacles. Cindi Punihaole, founder of the Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center, was my initial call-to-action.  Meeting Ruth Gates was the catalyst for everything I did next.

Lumina Foundation has awarded the University of Hawai‘i $400,000 to support adults who want to earn college degrees, certificates, and other quality credentials. To date, Lumina has invested nearly $6.5 million in the Adult Promise effort nationwide.