NEWS RELEASE

Dill honored with Order of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi award

The Pauahi Foundation (PF) and Kamehameha Schools (KS) honored 2016 Order of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Award recipient, Jan Edward Hanohano Dill last night at a gala held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Dill, a 1961 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and a Fulbright scholar, is co-founder of Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF), a non-profit committed to assisting Native Hawaiian children and families using Hawaiian values and perspectives. PIDF has programs throughout the state that provides early education, foster care training, support for the homeless, youth mentoring, family education and science and technology enrichment programs for thousands of clients.

“I was fascinated with the idea of taking preschool to the rural communities, the poor communities that couldn’t access or afford preschool,” said Dill. “We put together an amazing; complete, comprehensive preschool and we’d go to churches, community centers and other public areas to teach children.”

One such program is PIDF’s Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool.  An innovative program done in cooperation with churches and community organizations throughout the state, this program meets the developmental needs of young Hawaiian children and supports the grandparents, parents and caregivers who are raising them.

KS’ CEO, Livingston Jack Wong said, “Jan’s achievements epitomize a life built on cultural values of service and mentorship while demonstrating both global and local leadership.”

“Jan’s generous spirit and dedication to people, exemplify the qualities on which Kamehameha Schools is built and those of our beloved Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop,” added Caroline Belsom, Pauahi Foundation Board chair. 

Through its support of multiple early education organizations like PIDF and its own 30 preschools statewide, Kamehameha looks forward to its continuing relationship with the organization and others like it to create the strongest of foundations for Hawai‘i’s youngest learners.

“Partnership is something we know is critically important to our strategic plan,” said Lauren Nahme, vice president of Strategy and Innovation for Kamehameha Schools.

“What’s particularly unique about Partners in Development as a partner to us is their leader and their staff that have the right values, aligned vision and very deep care for our keiki.

“That kind of relationship is extremely difficult to find, but once you find it, it can be quite magical.”

Since 1956, the Order of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi award has been bestowed upon those who have been unselfish in their gift of time, dedication and service to their community and who exemplify the qualities of character and leadership that are consistent with the spirit of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

With such notable recipients as Mary Kawena Pukui, Duke Kahanamoku, the Reverend Abraham Akaka, Senator Daniel Inouye and Senator Daniel Akaka, a strong sense of giving and serving is embodied in this prestigious award.

About the Pauahi Foundation

The mission of the Pauahi Foundation is to support the mission of Kamehameha Schools by seeking and developing new and diverse sources of income to support the ever-increasing educational needs and goals of people of Hawaiian ancestry.

About Kamehameha Schools

Kamehameha Schools is a private charitable educational trust endowed by the will of Ke Ali'i Bernice Pauahi Bishop to provide learning opportunities for Hawai'i's children. Income generated from its endowment portfolio of Hawai`i commercial real estate and other diverse investments funds more than 96 percent of Kamehameha's educational mission. Today, the trust is leveraging its assets and the resources of various partnering entities that possess a common vision for improving Hawai'i's systems to promote the wellbeing of its people in perpetuity.