(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — Delta Construction Corporation and KSK Foundation of Kapolei have pledged $300,000 to establish two endowments and corresponding expendable funds for scholarships at UH West Oʻahu and Leeward Community College. The Delta Construction Corporation Endowed Scholarship at UH West Oʻahu, and the Delta Construction Corporation Endowed Scholarship at Leeward Community College will help students change their lives through higher education; positively impact their families and communities; and raise hope and pride in West Oʻahu.
These funds are being established in honor of the company's founder, Gilbert D. Kobatake, a 1934 graduate of the UH Mānoa College of Engineering. Kobatake was a retired structural engineer and surveyor, owner of Gilbert Kobatake Inc., and a member of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
"My father was a visionary," said Kenneth J. Kobatake, President and RME, Delta Construction Company. He continued, "In 1934, as a newly graduated civil engineer, Dad saw the impending growth and the needed development of Hawaiʻi's infrastructure for the islands to be a successful economic player in the national and international arena." Kobatake continued, "As a child, I recall Dad reminding my two brothers and me that education was necessary for success. He was always thankful for the opportunity to have attended the University of Hawaiʻi." Kobatake concluded, "One item on Dad's bucket list was to help build and strengthen the Engineering Program. This commitment to fund two scholarships is a step in the realization of Dad’s goal."
The Delta Construction Corporation Endowed Scholarship at UH West Oʻahu will provide financial support to full-time or part-time students who are enrolled in any area of study at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu. Recipients must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above. Preference will be given to students intending to pursue a degree in engineering and who reside in the West Oʻahu region.
"Students from throughout our region will benefit from scholarships made possible by this gift," said Gene I. Awakuni, UH West Oʻahu Chancellor. "We are watching the number of our programs grow with the demand for accessible higher education from throughout Central and West Oʻahu. These new donations demonstrate that Delta Construction and KSK Foundation recognize our mission and needs of our students to attain a high quality four-year education that benefits our region and state."
The Delta Construction Corporation Endowed Scholarship at Leeward Community College will support part-time or full-time students with cumulative grade point averages of 2.5 or above. Preference will be given to students intending to pursue a degree in engineering and who reside in the West Oʻahu region.
"This generous scholarship will impact the lives of deserving Leeward Community College engineering students for decades to come," said Manny Cabral, Leeward Community College chancellor. He continued, "Since 1981, between five and ten percent of UH Mānoa College of Engineering graduates started their coursework at Leeward CC. The Delta Construction Corporation's scholarship will help us increase the number of transfers and ultimately provide Hawaiʻi with a stronger, more skilled workforce. On behalf of all those who will benefit, I express my mahalo nui loa."
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The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. Our mission is to unite our donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi's aspirations to benefit the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. www.uhfoundation.org.
UH West Oʻahu is a four-year, regional comprehensive university with an emphasis on baccalaureate education founded in the liberal arts, service, professional, career-related, and applied fields, based on State and regional needs. UH West Oʻahu is committed to providing access to residents throughout the State of Hawaiʻi through its partnerships with the University of Hawaiʻi community colleges and its delivery of distance education programs. http://westoahu.hawaii.edu
Leeward Community College. As one of the seven community colleges in the University of Hawaiʻi system, Leeward Community College provides access to higher education and plays an important role in workforce development in Leeward and Central Oʻahu. The College focuses on students, teaching, learning, and responsiveness to community needs. With courses in more than 100 subject areas, Leeward CC offers a comprehensive curriculum for immediate entry into the workforce or for transfer towards a baccalaureate degree. High demand programs include business, education, digital media, computer networking, culinary arts, television production, engineering, visual and performing arts and the sciences. Strong support services, such as free tutoring, career development center, and job placement assistance, are focused on helping students reach their educational goals. http://www.leeward.hawaii.edu
