Born in New York and raised in Wahiawā, Sunao Sandy “Mom” Kodama raised six children of her own before helping in a friend’s catering service and serving as the popular hostess at her son’s Sansei Restaurant in Honolulu.

Now a memorial gift in her name will help Leeward Community College students pursue culinary training.

Noting that his wife “always encouraged young people to follow their dreams,” Tamateru Kodama and his family endowed the $25,000 scholarship fund to continue her legacy of support.

For more on scholarships and endowment opportunities, visit the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation.

Tags: culinary, Leeward Community College, UH Foundation, Vol. 34 No. 2