Duane Kurisu Joins Punahou School Board of Trustees

Duane Kurisu Joins Punahou School Board of Trustees

Punahou School announced today that Duane Kurisu has been elected the newest member of its Board of Trustees. Kurisu brings decades of experience as a business and philanthropic leader to the board, along with strong personal ties to the school as a past parent. 

“Duane is a true visionary here in Hawai‘i,” noted Punahou President Jim Scott ’70. “His unique personal journey and dedication to the well-being of our island community are an inspiration. We look forward to Duane sharing that same level of passion and commitment to our school community as well.”

Kurisu grew up in a plantation community on Hawai‘i Island. His father, a machinist for the plantation, and mother, a government employee, instilled in him the value of community and giving back. He graduated from Hilo High School, then went on to receive both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Hawai‘i.

Today, Kurisu is the Chairman and CEO of aio, and is the driving force behind many real estate, sports, media and philanthropic ventures – including Kahauiki Village, a plantation-style community designed to house Hawai‘i’s homeless families. He also serves as Advisory Board Chairman of the Hawai‘i Executive Conference, an annual Conference for CEOs and leaders with a mission of strengthening Hawai‘i. 

“I’m committed to helping make Hawai‘i a model for the rest of the world, and one of the main areas we can do this is through education,” Kurisu said. “I’m honored to serve on the board at Punahou to help further its mission of educating the leaders of tomorrow and to connect the school to a larger vision for Hawai‘i.”

Kurisu’s children, Sarah ’06 and Robert ’04, attended Punahou School before going on to pursue careers in technology and commercial real estate investment. His wife, Susan, served as chair of the Punahou Carnival and was an active member of the Parent Faculty Association. 

“I am delighted to be welcoming Duane to the Board of Trustees,” said Board Chair Ethan D.B. Abbott ’72. “Duane’s deep commitment to the greater Hawai‘i community is inspirational and his perspective will be enormously valuable to the board over the coming years.”

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