Vulcan Athletics Receives $60,000 Donation

Coaches and student athletes at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo will get a little bit of a boost thanks to a generous donation.

The University of Hawai`i Foundation announced Tuesday that it received a $60,000 donation from a Japanese businessman who wished to remain anonymous. The businessman chose to donate the money in his family’s name.

The foundation stated that the individual had “strong ties” to the Big Island. In a request for clarification from the UH Foundation, a spokesperson said that “he loves the natural beauty and the people of Hawai`i Island and has been visiting the Island since the late 1980’s.”

An unspecified amount will go to the Hikozaemon Takahashi Coaches Fund for Excellence, which will allow allow coaches to have the resources to travel across the state and the country to recruit student athletes.

The rest of the money will go toward the Hikozaemon Takahashi Scholarship, which will provide financial aid to student athletes to help cover tuition and books.

“The aloha from the people of Hawai`i is special and unique.  This gift is a small gesture of my appreciation and gratitude of Hawai`i,” said the unidentified donor in a statement.

“The UH Hilo athletics program has twelve sports, including basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, and golf. Our goal is to ensure that all scholar-athletes receive scholarship support and that we have the means to recruit top talent.” said Dexter Irvin, UHH Athletics Director. “This generous gift will have an immediate, positive impact on the program.”