Richard Linn Stevens

Through the teachings of his Hawaiian hanai mother and father, Dr. Richard Linn Stevens (MA 1984, PhD 1990) became a true local boy with a love of the Islands. As a student at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, he learned the importance of protecting the future of Hawai'i's ecosystems. After witnessing and participating in the destruction of nature during the Vietnam War, Dr. Stevens realized that his personal mission was to help protect and restore Hawai'i's 'aina. He brought his belief into action as a lecturer at University of Hawai'i-West Hawai'i by leading his students and other community members in numerous restoration projects.

Over 25,000 planted trees, including those currently at the "Arlington of the Pacific," the West Hawai'i Veterans' Cemetery, are a testament to the power of one person's commitment to nature. For his steadfast dedication to nature conservation, Dr. Stevens was honored with a 2006 Take Pride in America National Award from the Department of the Interior.

Inspired by Dr. Stevens' dedication to the restoration of Hawai'i's unique ecosystems, his son has created the Dr. Richard Linn Stevens Endowed Scholarship Fund for Restoration to honor his father's life mission. UH Foundation worked with his son to designate a portion of his retirement plan to fund the endowment. This scholarship will help support the education of students who share in Dr. Stevens' spirit of protecting and restoring Hawai'i's glorious nature.