Alakaina partners and members of the University of Hawaiʻi community celebrated the recent donation.
SCOTT NISHI | UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I FOUNDATION
Jul 15, 2022
Native Hawaiian non-profit Alaka`ina Foundation recently donated a total of $660,000 to various University of Hawaii programs.
The Honolulu-based organization donated the funds to the Kauai Community College Digital Bus Program and scholarships for Kauai Community College students transferring to the UH Manoa College of Engineering, as well as students enrolled in Kauai Community College's Electronics Technology program.
“Our mission is to ensure the young men and women of Hawaii have the skills and competencies they need to be effective leaders in the community,” said Alakaina Foundation Executive Director Kimo Bacon in a statement. “One of the ways we support this mission is to preserve and support olelo Hawaii, as the Hawaiian language is an official language recognized by the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
“We also support our mission by developing innovative educational programs that combine leadership, science and technology, and environmental stewardship, and these UH programs help to fulfill that goal,” he said. "The Digital Bus program accomplishes this by bringing a mobile laboratory to public schools to stimulate students’ interest in science and technology."
The funds also went toward the UH Community Colleges’ Online Associate in Arts Degree Program and the UH Hilo Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani College of Hawaiian Language. With these new donations, Alakaina Foundation’s giving to UH over the years totals nearly $1.8 million, according to officials.
“These very deliberate gifts will help to revitalize the Hawaiian language; make it easier for non-traditional students, including working parents, to earn an associate degree entirely online; expand STEM education on Kauai; and provide scholarships for students studying engineering and electronics technology,” said UH President David Lassner in a statement. “It’s incredible to partner with such generous donors who care deeply about improving the lives of Hawaii’s people through education.”
The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies' main function is to disperse profits from its seven government service firms to nonprofit activities that benefit the Native Hawaiian community, with a focus on Hawaii youth.
“We are very grateful that Alakaina is taking a system-wide approach to their giving,” said UH Vice President of Advancement and UH Foundation CEO Tim Dolan in a statement. “Mahalo to Alakaina Foundation for their long-term vision and commitment to perpetuating Native Hawaiian culture, knowledge and values.”