The program empowers PUEO scholars by providing a blend of academic and leadership experiences – as well as sound mentorship and social support.
By Suzanne Sato ’67
Punahou School has secured a $3 million grant from The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation to support Partnerships for Unlimited Educational Opportunities (PUEO) – one of Hawai‘i’s most impactful educational outreach initiatives for youth.
The grant provides $600,000 annually from 2027 – 2031, representing a renewed commitment to the program. The Clarence T.C. Ching PUEO Program is a partnership with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education to support public school students with academic promise and economic need by providing enriching summer and year-round learning opportunities on Punahou’s campus from fourth grade through high school graduation.
“We are deeply grateful to The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation for its continuing belief in the power of education to transform lives,” said Punahou School President Mike Latham ’86. “This extraordinary support will strengthen our ability to partner with our DOE colleagues to support young students from across our island community, ensuring they are empowered with the skills, confidence and opportunity to thrive.”
Established in 2005, PUEO currently serves more than 250 students annually from 60+ public, private and charter schools across O‘ahu. Students are nominated by their schools at the end of third grade and remain in the program for up to nine summers, receiving academic enrichment, mentorship, college preparation and leadership development at no cost to families.
The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation has been a longtime supporter of PUEO and its mission to foster educational equity and opportunity across Hawai‘i. With this latest grant, the Foundation’s total contributions to the program will exceed $10 million.
“Our foundation has always believed that education is one arena where we can have a profound effect on our young people – to enable them to dream big and make Hawai‘i a better place,” commented The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation trustee, Kenneth Okamoto. “All of the trustees have been immensely impressed with what PUEO is accomplishing and the effect that it has on all of these students’ lives.”
Tertia Freas, Executive Director of The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation added, “PUEO is an extraordinary model of what’s possible when public and private institutions work together to uplift students and families. We are proud to help sustain and grow its impact.”
The transformative gift of The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation ensures that PUEO will continue to serve future generations of Hawai‘i students. Additional generous support for The Clarence T.C. Ching PUEO Program is provided by the Tsuha Foundation, The Freeman Foundation, Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation and other generous donors. Founding support was provided by Unbound Philanthropy, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.
For more information about The Clarence T.C. Ching PUEO program, please visit www.punahou.edu/pueo.
