Sharon Weiner shares a lasting bond with UH. After moving to O‘ahu in the 1970s, she pursued her MBA at UH Mānoa, supported by tuition vouchers that covered her books and fees for the entirety of the program.
That early act of generosity stayed with her. Years later, while being honored as a Shidler Distinguished Alumna in 2000, Weiner made her first gift to the Shidler College of Business: $7,500, the present-day value of her tuition waiver. From that moment on, she continued to deepen her commitment. In 2012, she donated $150,000 to the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship as a reflection of her interest in supporting entrepreneurs and her own experience starting a company in 1979, which is now Stryker Weiner & Yokota (SWAY) Public Relations.
“What I received as a student was a gift that changed my life,” she reflected. “It is both a privilege and a responsibility to give back so that future students may have the same opportunities.”
Weiner’s connection to the university extends far beyond her philanthropy. After a successful career in public relations and business, she retired, only to return to UH as a student once more. At 71, she enrolled in UH Mānoa’s PhD program in English literature.
“I was retired for a year, and I was golfing and traveling,” she recalled. “One morning I woke up and decided what I was doing was not enough. And selfishly, I felt like my brain was atrophying so I thought I would go back to school, maybe audit a class, which quickly evolved into getting a doctorate.”
Her dissertation, a tribute to local artist Juliette May Fraser, drew deeply from UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library archives – particularly the Jean Charlot Collection, which houses Fraser’s diaries and records. Weiner is quick to credit the expertise of librarian archivist Malia Van Heukelem.
“I couldn’t have completed my dissertation without her help; I call her Malia From Heaven,” Weiner said. “This was during COVID and the university was closed. I would email Malia my questions, and she would help me do the research since she manages and has access to the Jean Charlot Collection.”
The experience underscored how Hamilton Library’s archive collections preserve Hawaiʻi’s cultural and artistic history, while sparking new scholarship. “The Jean Charlot Collection is a treasure,” she said. “It keeps voices like Fraser’s alive and accessible for future generations of students and researchers.”
For Weiner, going back to school was a thrill. She loved being in a classroom and interacting with the “wonderful” professors and fellow students of varying ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and stories.
“It was arduous and a challenge,” Weiner admitted. “And there were times when I asked why was I doing this to myself and, could I do it.”
Her own service to UH reflects her conviction in the university. As a regent, Weiner worked side-by-side with university leaders, always with humor and humility. “I remember always being paired with David Lassner (then UH’s first Chief Information Officer) at golf tournaments because we were the two worst golfers,” she chuckled.
Now fully retired, Weiner balances travel with lighter passions. She’s currently building an elaborate LEGO castle, a project that mirrors the vision and dedication she brought to her career and support of UH. Each piece is a reminder that small contributions build something greater – just like every gift to UH helps shape opportunities for students, faculty and the community.
Weiner continues to champion UH through philanthropy and advocacy. For her, every contribution – whether supporting students, faculty or preserving the archives – builds something lasting. “UH gave me my start,” she said. “Supporting it is my way of giving back.”
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