Two universities from Japan that work collaboratively with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education (COE) have made a donation totaling $20,000 to the UH Foundation Maui Relief Fund. The fund was created to aid students and employees impacted by the Maui wildfires in Lahaina and Kula.
Chairman Jun Miyata, who oversees Meikai and Asahi Universities, Asahi University President Katsuyuki Ohtomo, Meikai University President Hiroshi Nakajima and Meikai University Vice President Takami Uchizono, presented the gift to UH President David Lassner and COE Dean Nathan Murata on September 5.
“It is a modest contribution, but it is our sincere hope that this will help the University of Hawaiʻi assist students, faculty and community members to rebuild their personal and educational lives,” said Miyata. “For many years now, the University of Hawaiʻi has been a close and important partner for the Meikai and Asahi Universities. The University of Hawaiʻi has a special place in our hearts, and we hope you receive this gift as, simply, an expression of our love and support from a member of your ʻohana.”
More on how to help Maui ʻohana and the Maui wildfires.
“We are deeply appreciative of this gift and we are doing everything we can to help our affected students and provide them the support and community they need,” said Lassner in response to Miyata. “Your gift means a lot financially, but also, this expression of your support, your friendship, your ʻohana, is so special to us. Mahalo.”
COE and Meikai and Asahi Universities have had a long-term partnership and student exchange, with 66 Meikai and Asahi University exchange students currently attending UH Mānoa.
“Asahi and Meikai Universities have been very generous, and have been partners with us for a long time,” said Murata. “For them to extend this kind of warm contribution particularly in this time of need for our students and family in Maui just shows the type of character both institutions have. We’re very grateful that we have this partnership, and very honored to be a part of it.”
