The Hawaii Food Industry Association Foundation — aka the HFIA Rainbow Fever Program — has awarded $920,727 to fuel athletic scholarships at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and UH-Hilo. This gift establishes two endowments, with $828,654 supporting the HFIA Rainbow Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH-Manoa and $92,073 for the HFIA Vulcan Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH-Hilo.
“The Hawaii Food Industry Association is proud of its long-standing relationship with UH Athletics and is pleased to create these two endowment funds to assist student-athletes at both UH-Manoa and UH-Hilo in completing their education,” said Bonny Amemiya, immediate past chair of the HFIA Foundation.
“The Rainbow Fever Program was an idea that was introduced by the late Stan Sheriff and then executed with resounding success by many supportive customers, grocery and convenience retailers and food suppliers across the state. Through an unprecedented industry effort, this program raised over $2 million through the sale of select products, and we feel fortunate to be in a position to support UH student-athletes in attaining their degrees.”
The endowment at UH-Manoa will support fifth-year athletic scholarships. If fifth-year scholarships are fully funded, remaining funds in that academic year may be used for summer school scholarships. Recipients must be full-time, undergraduate, student-athletes participating in any sport at the UH-Manoa, who have completed their eligibility and are completing their education as a fifth-year student. Students must be in full compliance with all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and applicable conference rules and regulations.
“We appreciate all the companies and individuals who supported the Rainbow Fever Program over the years and the board’s leadership to create a lasting legacy for the Hawaii Food Industry Association,” said Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple. He continued, “This generous gift ensures scholarship support for today and tomorrow’s student-athletes and assists in our primary goal; graduation. Thank you again for being a part of Hawaii’s team.”
The Vulcan Fever endowment will provide athletic scholarships to student athletes at UH-Hilo. Recipients must be full-time, undergraduate, student-athletes participating in any sport and be in full compliance with all NCAA and applicable conference rules and regulations.
“This is an exciting and intensely impactful gift for Vulcan Athletics,” said Dexter Irvin, UH-Hilo director of intercollegiate athletics. “Scholarships for athletes are key to motivating students, encouraging their success and fueling recruitment efforts for the university, thus ensuring we maintain a competitive position in the Pacific West Conference and the NCAA.”
People wanting to assist UH-Manoa may make secure gifts online at www.koaanuenue.org.
To learn more about how you can support UH-Hilo athletics, please contact Andrea Furuli, associate director of development, at 933-3112 or Andrea.Furuli@UHFoundation.org. Or visit www.uhfoundation.org/GivetoUHHAthletics.
The University of Hawaii Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaii System. The mission of the University of Hawaii Foundation is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawaii’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaii and our future generations.www.uhfoundation.org.
Ahahui Koa Anuenue is the designated organization responsible for the coordination and oversight of all fundraising activities that are conducted to benefit and support the UH-Manoa athletics programs. This includes, but is not limited to, booster clubs, planned gifts and the preferred seating program. The University of Hawaii Foundation receives and holds all of the contributions and donations that are made to AKA and any of the booster clubs that support the UH Manoa athletics programs. UHF has established separate accounts for AKA and each of the booster clubs that all donor contributions and donations are deposited into. All of the funds received by UHF on behalf of AKA and each of the booster clubs are assets of UHF and are reported by UHF in its audited financial statements and on its annual Form 990 filed with the IRS. For more information on AKA please visit www.KoaAnuenue.org.
