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The Pauahi Foundation develops new and diverse sources of income to support the ever-increasing educational needs and goals of Native Hawaiians. The foundation team includes: Development Mgr. Bran-Dee Torres, Finance Director Myron Mitsuyasu, Development Mgr. Lani Kaʻaʻa, Admin. Asst. Kelli Okamoto, Scholarship Svs. Spec. Scott Watanabe, Executive Asst. Melissa Ibrao, Interim Executive Director Pono Maʻa, Admin. Coord. Denise Kaʻaʻa, Comm. Intern Jackie Watase, Special Events/Public Relations Spec. Roberto Lanaan, Comm. Spec. Ben Balberdi, Spec. Shannon Silva, and Scholarship Svs. Mgr. Mavis Shiraishi-Nagao. Missing: Director of Alumni Relations Dancine Takahashi.

Pauahi Foundation to join KS as a cornerstone for advancement

June 29, 2016

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

Kamehameha Schools will integrate the Pauahi Foundation into its organizational structure on July 3. The changeover lays the groundwork for establishing an Advancement Office which will enhance and broaden how KS identifies and attracts new resources – beyond its endowment – to advance Native Hawaiian learning.

In its current state, the Pauahi Foundation is a support organization to KS which develops new and diverse sources of income to support the ever-increasing educational needs and goals of Native Hawaiians.

One of the ways the foundation accomplishes its mission is by partnering with KS alumni, students, staff members, families and friends to create and administer post-high scholarships. After the transition to KS, the foundation will continue to move forward on its mission, as it has for more than 15 years.

“The good work of the foundation provides solid footing to build upon,” says Pono Ma‘a, interim executive director of the foundation. “It is our challenge now to increase the number of ways our supporters can partner with us in service to our Lāhui.

“We mahalo our donors for their steadfast and generous support of the Pauahi Foundation,” says Ma‘a. “With your help, we have developed and nurtured an endowment that today exceeds $20 million, and created 240 new scholarship funds.”

The foundation awarded more than $500,000 in public scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year, helping nearly 200 graduate and undergraduate students pursue their post-high goals.

Ma‘a’s team includes 12 staffers who have kuleana for administration, alumni relations, scholarships, development, finance and communications. For now, the office’s operational processes and procedures will remain the same, as will its location at Kawaiaha‘o Plaza in Honolulu. Ma‘a will continue to report directly to Chief Executive Officer Jack Wong.

A search is underway for a new Advancement leader who will take the helm of the foundation in the fall. KS will release updates on the building of the Advancement Office as new milestones for this key initiative are achieved.

Fullfilling a Vision

The creation of an Advancement Office is part of the Kamehameha Schools Strategic Plan and vision.

THE VISION
Within a generation of 25 years, we see a thriving Lāhui where our learners achieve postsecondary educational success, enabling good life and career choices. We also envision that our learners will be grounded in Christian and Hawaiian values and will be leaders who contribute to their communities, both locally and globally.

THE PLAN
SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners.

Today there are 152,000 Native Hawaiian learners, ages 0 – 24.  In 25 years, that number is expected to climb to 240,000.

The good work of the foundation provides solid footing to build upon. It is our challenge now to increase the number of ways our supporters can partner with us in service to our Lāhui.
Pono Ma‘a, Pauahi Foundation Interim Executive Director

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Kaipuolono Article, Newsroom, Department News, Organization Change

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