Former Starwood Hotels and Resorts executive Keith Vieira has committed $1 million from his estate to an existing scholarship at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business, which was recently renamed to the Keith Vieira Endowment for Kamaʻaina Student Scholarships. The scholarship, which was first established by Starwood Hawaii in 2013 in honor of Vieira’s contribution to the visitor’s industry, will support undergraduate and graduate students from Hawaiʻi high schools who want to pursue a degree at the Shidler college.
“If our local kids want to compete for the best jobs here or globally, a college education is a must. And you can get an excellent business degree right here at UH’s Shidler College of Business. It helped a Hilo boy like me get the career he wanted, and now, I want to help other local kids attain their dreams,” said Vieira, principal of KV and Associates, Hospitality Consulting, LLC.
“As a leader in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry, Keith has devoted much of his time and talent to serving the college and community,” said Vance Roley, dean of the Shidler College of Business. “We are truly grateful for his generosity and his commitment to nurturing local students. This scholarship will enable the college to continue his vision by attracting the best and brightest students in Hawaiʻi and providing them with an excellent foundation for success.”