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October 5, 2012

"Nancy and I weren't lucky enough to be born here, but we were smart enough to come here. Our lives were greatly enriched by the people and culture of Hawaiʻi. We wanted to give back and give thanks for what Hawaiʻi gave to us. It is the uniqueness and diversity of the Hawaiian culture that betters all of us, and there is no better repository and learning center to perpetuate that than the University of Hawaiʻi." 

– Victor Rittenband, 2009

For 22 years Victor Rittenband and his wife Nancy Gustafsson-Rittenband performed Hawaiian music and hula outside the Reef Hotel in Waikīkī, much to the pleasure of visitors and residents alike. Hailed as tireless promoters of the Aloha Spirit and all things Hawaiian, they wrote and recorded countless songs and traveled the world as cultural ambassadors. Two of their most popular songs were Ukulele Tree and Swedish Hula.

While they are no longer with us, they continue to make a profound impact on the music of Hawaiʻi through their philanthropy.

In 2006 Victor Rittenband worked with the Office of Estate and Gift Planning team at the UH Foundation to set in motion a legacy to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and music. Today, thanks to the Rittenbands' generosity and foresight, students and faculty at UH Mānoa's Department of Music are benefitting from their $1 million bequest gift.

Named in honor of his wife who died in 2005, the Nancy Gustafsson-Rittenband and Victor Rittenband Endowed Fund provides scholarships to qualified students who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in music, with an emphasis on Hawaiian music, dance and chant.

"We are very grateful that Victor honored us with this bequest. These students will take their place in the community as performers, producers, historians, and storytellers, and will help shape Hawaiian music for years to come," said Tom Bingham, dean, College of Arts and Humanities.

The second endowment, the Nancy Gustafsson-Rittenband and Victor Rittenband Endowment for Hawaiian Music, supports the Hawaiian Music program in the Music Department. This fund fuels master classes, workshops, performances and research into Hawaiian music, dance and chant.

"This generous and thoughtful donation will infuse a much needed financial boost to our growing emphasis in Hawaiian Music in our Music Department. The use of these funds will support a growth in our ability to expand our Hawaiian Music course offerings and insure our Hawaiian ensembles with a renewed security of purpose and expansion," said Laurence Paxton, chair, Department of Music.

Originally from New Jersey, Victor Rittenband came to Hawaiʻi to work for First Insurance Co. in 1964. His wife Nancy, originally from Denmark and Sweden, moved to Hawaiʻi in 1959 after a visit in 1952. Victor and Nancy were introduced by mutual acquaintances in 1967 and married in 1969. They shared a passion for Hawaiian music and hula and used their earnings to record Hawaiian music, and support charities.

They planned this bequest because of their belief that culture is perpetuated through language and music. With this legacy, the music they loved so dearly will flourish for years to come.


If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808 376-7800 or send us a message.