The Fulfillment of Giving
By Morgan Kaya ’00
When asked about his connections to Punahou, Nelson Uyemura ’93 checks many boxes: he’s a graduate, a parent, an employee, a volunteer and an avid supporter of Punahou’s future. However, his passion and commitment to our School is not measured through these titles but through his actions. For the past 10 years Uyemura has been in our Food Services department, ensuring our community stays nourished at lunchtime – and during the Punahou Carnival. He worked his way up and today is the food service director with an insatiable desire to uplift the School in a multitude of ways. During his free time, Uyemura volunteers for the Heart of Punahou Employees (HOPE) Committee, a group that brings current employees together to form deeper connections to our School and engage philanthropic support. Last year, Uyemura and his wife Wendi made a commitment to establish a family Endowed Financial Aid Fund. We caught up with Uyemura to learn a little more about what inspires someone who inspires us!
What inspired your giving to Punahou and to start your family Endowed Fund?
When I was younger, my parents gave up a lot to send my sisters and me to Punahou. They would save their money and not spend it on frivolous things. My dad would take home lunch everyday, and they watched every penny. This was how important education was to them, and how it became important to me. They gave so much to give us the best education they could. My grandmother helped us out a lot and I also learned a lot from her generosity. As a student at Punahou, I was on financial aid. I know that without the generosity of those before me who created their Endowed Funds, I would not have had that opportunity.
What does this gift mean to your family?
My wife, Wendi, and I can see the difference that Punahou has made with our children. We have realized that Punahou is not only about education, but it gives the students and families so much more. We have made connections with so many wonderful families who we now call friends. As we progress through Punahou, the experiences that we go through pulled us together. We are fortunate to have this opportunity to give this experience to our children. Through our endowment, we want to help another family achieve this experience.
Tell us a little about your involvement with HOPE, and why this organization is important to you.
I got involved in HOPE because I wanted to start meeting people around campus. When I started working here, I worked in the middle of the Cafeteria. In order to get a better understanding of what happened around campus and how the Cafeteria can make a difference to the community, I knew that I had to get out there and learn more about how the campus worked. I made a lot of friends and when people have a question it is easier for them to approach me because they know me from HOPE. The general idea behind HOPE is giving. To me, giving from the heart can be achieved in different ways. I enjoy giving back to the School because of how rewarding it is to me and my family.
What is your vision for the future of HOPE?
HOPE is a fun group with members that consist of faculty and staff from all aspects of campus life. It helps bring together and connect employees who otherwise may have never met. I hope that one day the Punahou Community uses this great resource as a stepping stone to strengthen the cohesive bonds of the Punahou ‘Ohana. Just as a family does, we can rely on each other and achieve more together.