After a seven-year break from college, Kanisa Rubio Ching decided to rediscover her educational goals at the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu. She’s highly motivated to do well and credits finding inspiration in her mom, a hard-working single mother with four children, who instilled in Ching discipline and determination. As a new mother, Ching also wants to serve as a role model to her 1-year-old son and demonstrate to him the importance of self-belief and perseverance.
The Kapolei resident aspires to teach math and is majoring in secondary education with a focus in math, as well as applied mathematics.
“When I complete my schooling, I’ll be the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree,” Ching shared with an audience at the He Lei Mahalo Donor Appreciation Luncheon, which was held on Sept. 27 at the Campus Center multi-purpose room.
Ching was the featured student speaker at the event, presented by UH West O‘ahu and the University of Hawai‘i Foundation. He Lei Mahalo celebrated the generous donors who made gifts to support academic programs and student scholarships at UH West O‘ahu, and also honored the student scholarship recipients.
Event guests included UH West O‘ahu students, donors, supporters, administrators, faculty, and staff. The program featured entertainment by student musicians Sophia Johnasen and Noah Padilla, lunch catered by Da Spot, and words of aloha and mahalo from UH West O‘ahu Chancellor Maenette Benham. He Lei Mahalo also provided an opportunity for students to share their stories with donors and express their gratitude.
Ching is the recipient of the Crankstart Reentry Scholarship — West O‘ahu and the Osher Reentry Scholarship at University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu.
“These scholarships enable me to continue my education and pursue my passion for learning and helping others while alleviating some financial stress associated with being a college student,” said Ching, a stay-at-home mom and part-time caretaker for her mother. “Beyond the financial support, these scholarships motivate me not only to complete my studies, but to excel to the best of my abilities.”
The He Lei Mahalo program also featured words of appreciation from Allison Ohanian, UH Foundation Associate Vice President of Gift Planning & Donor Development.
“It’s uplifting to see so many of our long-time supporters here who have embraced UH West O‘ahu as part of your extended families, driven by your unwavering belief in the transformative power of higher education,” Ohanian said.
Every contribution donors make is a testament to their commitment to UH West O‘ahu and reflects their confidence in the university’s students, faculty, and academic programs, she said.
“I’m proud to share that last year, your generosity allowed us to award over $600,000 in student scholarships to more than 200 deserving students,” Ohanian said. “This year we are well on our way, having already distributed nearly $350,000 in scholarships providing crucial support to our future leaders.”
Among those in attendance was Johnann Souza, who represented donor TRUSTA and its charitable arm, Sukamto Foundation, which supports the UH West O‘ahu accounting program.
Hearing the student scholarship recipients’ stories “touches the heart,” said Souza, a TRUSTA certified public accountant, as well as a UH West O‘ahu spring 2020 graduate who received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.
“It makes me feel good, being able to support a foundation and come from a company that gives back to the students,” Souza said.
Ching said the scholarships she received allow her to show others that it is possible to overcome hard times and make dreams come true through perseverance, and she thanked donors for providing students like her with the opportunity to achieve their goals.
“I think the biggest message for me to donors is that … what they’re providing and rewarding students with can be life-changing, absolutely life-changing,” Ching said.
To make a donation to UH West O‘ahu or to learn more about donating, please email darian.padilla@uhfoundation.org or call 808-594-6851.
To see more photos from the event, visit the He Lei Mahalo 2024 album on Flickr.
