Why We Give: Punahou’s Parent Advancement Council (PAC)

At Punahou, philanthropy isn’t about the size of the gift, it’s about the strength of the community. 

Connecting Families, Inspiring Support

By Tara Olney

At Punahou, philanthropy isn’t about the size of the gift, it’s about the strength of the community. This philosophy was the driving force behind the Parent Advancement Council (PAC) when it was founded in 2009 with a small, visionary group of just 14 volunteers. Supported by the Trustees and the Advancement team, their goal was to bring current parents together to build a deeper understanding of the School and to inspire a culture where every family participates in giving. Chad ’89 and Mari Okimoto ’90 Konishi (parents of Cooper ’26) joined PAC in 2013, while the group was still in its early days. “Thirteen years ago, we were invited by friends to join a new group to encourage parent giving,” Chad shared. “My wife and I are both alumni and we saw how our classes gave back so generously. We thought this would be an unique opportunity to start something similar with current parents.”

Today, that original group of dreamers has blossomed into a robust council of 41 members, representing every grade level from Kindergarten through 12th grade. PAC members volunteer each year, working together to engage and educate fellow parents about how and why to support Punahou. They spend time welcoming new families, encouraging gifts at any level, and celebrating the generosity of the buff ’n blue community. 

“There are so many opportunities for parents at Punahou to volunteer,” Mari explained, “being on the PAC for the past 13 years is just one example. It is our hope that our son Cooper recognizes our efforts and in turn feels intrinsically motivated to do the same as a Punahou student, alumnus and hopefully down the line, as a parent. Over the years, our group has seen parents come and go as their students graduate and new students enter the School. Through all of the turnover, we have reconnected with old friends and made wonderful new friendships. Cooper has also grown up with this group and understands the tradition of giving, both monetarily and through service.”

The results of PAC’s focus on community-led outreach are amazing. Over the last six years, the council has more than doubled parent participation, increasing from 22% in 2020 to 52% in 2025. Last year alone, more than 1,500 Punahou families made a gift, and PAC members hand-wrote mahalo notes for each gift. “As an alum, I’ve always appreciated the sacrifices my parents made for me to attend Punahou,” Chad recounted. “I am a big believer in the School, and I am grateful for what Punahou has done for me. As a parent, being a part of the PAC helped me to better understand the School and some of its operational needs. For example, I didn’t know that my son’s tuition only covers about 80% of the cost of attendance and in that way, we are all recipients of some financial aid.”

Now, many of the early PAC members are preparing to watch their children graduate. For families like the Konishis, this hasn’t just been a volunteer role; it has been a journey that spanned their children’s entire time at Punahou. “As parents of a senior, our time at Punahou is coming to a close,” said Mari. “We have many fond memories, and we cannot believe how quickly it has gone by. Likewise, the PAC in its infancy has come a long way in its 17 years from a small group of parents with a big idea to a well-organized parent organization that continues to fulfill its mission of increasing parent participation through giving. Chad and I are grateful to have been a part of this journey.”

For more information about parent giving, please contact Leah Freitas, Director of Annual Giving, at 808.943.3270 or lfreitas@punahou.edu.

Left: The Dela Cruz Family, long-time PAC members, inspire Giving Day support during morning drop-off.

Right: PAC volunteers welcome guests to their annual Current Parent and Grandparent Donor Mahalo Reception.

PAC by the Numbers