Kamehameha Schools is the beneficiary of a $500,000 bequest from the David and Julia Desha Trust. KS will use the donation to create an endowment fund with Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation in the name of the Desha ‘ohana. The foundation will manage the endowment and distribute approximately $20,000 per year to help create educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians.
David Lester Desha (1887-1966) was a Kamehameha School for Boys 1905 graduate and the younger brother of celebrated Hawaiian music composer Helen Desha Beamer, who graduated from the Kamehameha School for Girls in 1900. David Desha’s wife, Julia Smythe Desha, lived from 1893-1979.
“Kamehameha Schools is truly grateful for the Deshas’ aloha and generosity,” said KS Interim Chief Executive Officer Jack Wong. “Pauahi’s legacy lives on through such life-changing contributions, and these funds will continue to make an impact in the lives of young Hawaiian haumāna, just as Mr. and Mrs. Desha did throughout their lives.”
After graduating from Kamehameha, David Desha attended Oʻahu College and later worked for the Kamehameha Finance Company.
David Desha was one of seven Kamehameha School for Boys graduates who in 1922 petitioned the treasurer of the Territory of Hawaiʻi to charter the Kamehameha Alumni Association. The group’s objective was to “Unite into closer association the graduates and former students of the Kamehameha School for Boys; to further the interests of Kamehameha Schools; (and) to keep alive the best traditions and influences of Hawaiian life and thought…”
“Aunty and uncle were private people,” said their niece Harriett Desha, a Kamehameha School for Girls graduate in 1964. “Uncle David had a financial business, and Aunty Julia was a social worker. He was always the kind gentleman, always listening, and smiling and laughing. Aunty was more serious, but very kind and giving.
“Uncle David always had a special place in his heart for the Hawaiian community. He sponsored children to attend Kamehameha who otherwise couldn’t have gone there. I really would just like people to know how much they cared about others. They were just ‘behind the scenes’ folks who were more than willing to help out, without needing to have the glory.”
Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation Executive Director Keawe Liu praised the couple’s generosity.
“During their lives, David and Julia Desha made countless contributions to the advancement of the Hawaiian culture and people,” said Liu. “By creating an endowment in the name of the ‘ohana, their legacy of giving will live on and continue to impact Hawaiian learners in perpetuity.”
Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation was established in 2001 by the trustees of Kamehameha Schools to be the fundraising arm of the organization. The foundation’s purpose is to seek community partnerships and create educational opportunities that transform lives within the Hawaiian community.
The Desha ‘ohana endowment is just one example of how the foundation fulfills its mission by partnering with individuals and groups to create lasting impact for the Hawaiian people.
Mahalo to KS Archivist Stacy Naipo for providing the details and photos for this story.
During their lives, David and Julia Desha made countless contributions to the advancement of the Hawaiian culture and people. By creating an endowment in the name of the ‘ohana, their legacy of giving will live on and continue to impact Hawaiian learners in perpetuity.
Keawe Liu, Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation Executive Director
Financier David Desha had a special place in his heart for the Hawaiian community and sponsored needy children to attend his alma mater.
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