Literally building a better Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i consulting firm SSFM International has extended its commitment to multiple scholarships for students at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

• The SSFM International, Inc. Freshman Scholarship covers four years of tuition for a first-year student in the UH Mānoa college of engineering.
• The SSFM International, Inc. Scholarship covers tuition for the company’s employees who are undergraduates in the UH Mānoa college of engineering.
• The SSFM International Graduate Fellowship in Planning provides assistance for tuition, fees, and other expenses to a student working toward a master’s degree in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

“SSFM has a long-standing commitment to our community as one of the oldest kama‘aina engineering firms in Hawai‘i,” says Brennon Morioka, Dean of the College of Engineering. “Their commitment continues, through this scholarship and their relationship with the College of Engineering and our students.”

One of SSFM’s beneficiaries is Sara Nakagaki, a senior civil engineering major graduating in spring 2021. She says, “This scholarship allowed me to pursue other opportunities and to become a more well-rounded person. Instead of having the constant worry of paying for school, I could focus on studying, and building a network with other future civil engineers.”

Michael P. Matsumoto, President, SSFM International, Inc. says, "I am pleased that SSFM International Inc. is able to support my alma mater, the College of Engineering, and our next generation of engineers in this important way. Scholarships have a profound impact on the lives of students, and make it possible for UH to attract, retain and train the outstanding future professionals our state needs."

Founded in 1959, the firm provides engineering, planning, construction management, development management and production management services in Hawai‘i and the Pacific. It has a long history of support for the UH community.

Morioka says, “SSFM’s support for our students and their investment in mentoring Hawai‘i’s future leaders cannot be overstated. We are truly appreciative of Mike Matsumoto and his SSFM ‘ohana for their partnership, and we are excited about what the future holds for our students who will benefit from such generosity.”