Randolph G. Moore, chairman of the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, has deepened his support for UH with a gift of $1 million that creates the Hawaiʻi Sustainability Fund for innovative sustainability research and initiatives across all 10 UH campuses, to help students develop the skills and the knowledge to tackle climate change and critical resource issues in Hawaiʻi and around the world.
“UH is at the forefront of cutting-edge climate change and sustainability research that is crucial for Hawaiʻi’s future,” said Moore, who has served as a Regent for 10 years. “We need leaders across all professions who have the skills and passion to ensure Hawaiʻi can remain a model for the world as a healthy, vibrant place to live.”
Hawaiʻi is uniquely positioned to serve as a model of sustainability for the rest of the world by virtue of geography and by the groundbreaking work being done at UH to understand climate change and other environmental challenges as well as major resources including food, water and energy. UH created the Institute for Sustainability and Resilience at Mānoa (ISR) to advance the teaching and research on topics of critical importance to the planet to contribute to solving the problems around climate change. Hawaiʻi Sustainability Fund scholarships support sustainability-focused students who transfer from community college to UH Mānoa to a bachelor of arts degree in sustainability through an interdisciplinary program stewarded by ISR.
“Sustainability programs at UH help students in all majors, from all campuses, to think about problem solving and understanding both the physical and social impacts of critical environmental challenges, including climate change,” said Makena Coffman, ISR director and professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. “This fund will help us equip students with the knowledge, skills, and passion to pursue professions that drive sustainable solutions for Hawaiʻi and beyond.”
The gift complements Moore’s longtime dedication and commitment to UH. On June 30, he will step down after completing his term and two years at the helm of the board; he also served as chairperson in 2014 and 2015. Moore is also a retired businessman, middle school teacher and education administrator and current member of the boards of Hawaii Green Growth, the Hawaii Housing Development Corp. and Grove Farm Co.
“Randy’s vision, leadership and generosity have been an unwavering hallmark of his commitment to UH and Hawaiʻi,” said UH President David Lassner. “His service as a regent over the past decade has been as impactful as anyone’s in our history, and this absolutely extraordinary gift will directly empower a generation of students to lead our islands to a thriving, sustainable future.”
Donate to the Hawaiʻi Sustainability Fund at UH Foundation’s website.
Moore hopes his gift encourages other donors to help grow the Hawaiʻi Sustainability Fund so that it may reach more students.
“This gift underscores the power of philanthropy in driving meaningful change to find solutions for a sustainable future,” said Tim Dolan, UH vice president of advancement and CEO of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation. “It’s emblematic of Randy’s mission to serve UH, education and his Hawaiʻi community, and we are forever grateful for his beneficence.”
Moore and his wife, Dr. Lynne Johnson, are already generous supporters of UH programs. In 2015, they created the Randolph G. Moore and Lynne Johnson Endowed Fund for Music to benefit the Music Department at the UH Mānoa College of Arts and Humanities.
