Chie Yamada

Chie Yamada taught shamisen in the UH Mānoa Music Department from 1966 until she passed away in 1992. Her husband, James S. Yamada, chose to honor his beloved wife by establishing an endowment in her memory, to support the Department's unique ethnomusicology program that meant so much to her.

In 1997, Jimmy, as he was known to his family and friends, decided that he could give much larger gifts if he made them in exchange for a life-income plan. From 1997 to 2000, he established five charitable gift annuities, which paid him income for life and reduced his tax burden. He was very happy knowing that at his passing, the remainders of the annuity principals would be added to the Chie Yamada Memorial Endowment.

In life and through his estate, Jimmy made a significant contribution to advance the study of music at the University of Hawai'i, in loving memory of his wife Chie. 

Jimmy spent the last years of his life studying Zen Buddhism. When he passed away in 2003, the Foundation learned that he had also made the Foundation, for the benefit of the endowment, the beneficiary of his IRA. In life and through his estate, Jimmy made a significant contribution to advance the study of music at the University of Hawai'i, in loving memory of his wife Chie. We express our deep gratitude to him, for his foresight and generosity.