"We want this endowment to remind people of the example of our parents, who contributed to the community in many ways. They guided us and many other people, and we honor them for that."
James and Jeanne Yagi
(Hilo, Hawaiʻi) — Jimmy and Jeanne Yagi have announced the establishment of the James S. and Kameko Yagi / Sadao and Bessie Y. Nishida endowed scholarship at UH Hilo to honor their parents. The funding will be used to assist students with tuition, books, fees and supplies. Preference will be given to graduates of high schools on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi . The number and amount of scholarship awards will be determined by the selection committee based on the availability of funds in the account generated from the endowment and applications received.
According to Jimmy Yagi, UH Hilo Vulcans basketball coach from 1973 to 1985, "We are convinced that we share with others an obligation to support our community. The example we’ve been shown encourages us to help UH Hilo, especially now when resources are limited."
Jimmy’s father, James S. Yagi, and his mother, Kameko Yagi, were children of immigrant sugar workers from Okinawa who had only grade school educations. James S. grew up on the Big Island working at and eventually owning the family business known as Kulana Foods, a local meat processing company.
Kameko, who also grew up on the Big Island, according to son Jimmy, "was the best coach I have ever known." She was an officer in the family business, which became a strong supporter of Vulcan Athletics participating in fundraising efforts and donating food and services. Kameko even prepared and donated the original "Vulcan chili" for fund raising at basketball games.
Jeanne’s parents, Sadao and Bessie Nishida, were also deeply committed to their community, and their lifetime in the public sector reflects their belief in the American ideals of freedom, education and opportunity. Sadao Nishida earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star in World War II as a member of the highly respected 442nd Infantry which, as the first Asian-American combat unit in Europe, helped defeat the Axis powers and bigotry in America. Following the war, he had a distinguished career as a probation officer for the State of Hawaiʻi Judiciary Department.
Bessie Nishida graduated from UH Mānoa at the age of 19 and went on to teach at elementary and secondary schools for decades.
"We sincerely hope our contribution will help students from the Big Island to pursue their educational goals," said Jimmy Yagi. Jeanne adds, "We hope our contribution also can serve to inspire others to support UH Hilo."
"When Jimmy Yagi retired as UH Hilo basketball coach in 1985, more than 500 people turned out to honor him at a testimonial dinner," said UH Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng. "We are deeply honored that more than two decades later, they remain committed to our mission and goals."
The Yagi’s concluded, "What better way is there to honor our parents’ legacy?"
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The University of Hawaiʻi Hilo is a comprehensive university with five degree-granting colleges, six master's programs and two doctoral programs. UH Hilo strives to integrate culture and science, offer hands-on learning opportunities to its students and use the Island of Hawaiʻi as a natural learning laboratory. Enrollment has doubled since 1980 to more than 3,600 students coming from all fifty states and more than 40 countries. Please visit www.uhh.hawaii.edu.
The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. The mission of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is to unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations www.uhfoundation.org.
