For the Love of Learning by Doing
This spring, in honor of his 60th Reunion, Pat Quilter ’64 made his second transformational gift to Punahou, supporting the new Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons as well as Punahou’s Voyaging Program. This generous donation will increase hands-on learning experiences across campus – a strategic form of teaching that Quilter profoundly believes in.
“I am totally proud and grateful to be a supporter,” Quilter shared, shortly after spending a full week immersed in Punahou events this June, including playing steel guitar in the band at Alumni Week. He also crewed on Punahou’s wa‘a Kamaola which included two days of sailing and bringing Kamaola back to her home in Mauliola from Hakipu‘u via Makapu’u. “Punahou offered me an incredible foundation for building my career, and I’m honored to give back and make these opportunities possible for students today.”
Opening in 2026, the Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons will serve as a hub of creativity and collaboration, as well as a center for technological and innovation resources. Quilter’s donation is part of the Hui Pukuku‘i, a small group of donors who have united to name the building after the renowned scholar, Punahou teacher, storyteller, historian and visionary, Mary Kawena Pukui.
Learning by doing is a powerful mechanism that creates lasting memories in the hearts and minds of our students.
Pat Quilter ’64
The Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons will feature Food Design Labs that Quilter is also funding, providing equipment and space to explore multidisciplinary, ‘āina-based lessons with food. Students in Food Design classes might learn how to cook traditional, locally grown food, design their own recipes or learn about culinary chemistry.
Quilter’s gift will also strengthen the School’s voyaging program, which exemplifies experiential learning at Punahou. The program teaches students to understand where they came from, passing down the traditions and wisdom of sustainable island culture, something Quilter has been passionate about for years.
The Patrick H. Quilter Endowed Fund for Voyaging was established in 2023, and this new gift provides generous support for the ongoing operations of Punahou’s voyaging programming in perpetuity.
“Learning by doing is a powerful mechanism that creates lasting memories in the hearts and minds of our students,” Quilter says. “I am honored to help Punahou advance its commitment to academic excellence in a way that is inspirational and meaningful, and Kamaola’s participation in the recent Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture was a great endorsement of the outreach aspect of the voyaging program.”