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A group of people holding a ceremonial check
From left to right, Alan Nakamura, Lauren Zirbel and Bonny Amemiya of the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association present a ceremonial check to ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue President Vincent Baldemor, UH Mānoa Chancellor Tom Apple and UH Foundation Vice President for Development Greg Willems.

The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Foundation has awarded $920,727 to fuel athletic scholarships at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

The gift establishes two endowments, with $828,653.53 supporting the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Rainbow Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Mānoa, and $92,072.60 for the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Vulcan Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Hilo.

“The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association is proud of its long-standing relationship with UH Athletics and is pleased to create these two endowment funds to assist student-athletes at both UH Mānoa and UH Hilo in completing their education,” said HFIA Foundation Immediate Past Chair Bonny Amemiya. “The Rainbow Fever Program was an idea that was introduced by the late Stan Sheriff and then executed with resounding success by many supportive customers, grocery and convenience retailers and food suppliers across the state. Through an unprecedented industry effort, this program raised over $2 million through the sale of select products, and we feel fortunate to be in a position to support UH student-athletes in attaining their degrees.”

The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Rainbow Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Mānoa will support fifth-year athletic scholarships. If fifth-year scholarships are fully funded, remaining funds in that academic year may be used for summer school scholarships.

Recipients must be full-time, undergraduate student-athletes participating in any sport at UH Mānoa, who have completed their eligibility and are completing their education as a fifth-year student. Students must be in full compliance with all National Collegiate Athletic Association and applicable conference rules and regulations.

The Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association Vulcan Fever Athletic Scholarship Endowment at UH Hilo will provide athletic scholarships to student athletes at UH Hilo. Recipients must be full-time, undergraduate student-athletes participating in any sport and be in full compliance with all NCAA and applicable conference rules and regulations.

—Adapted from a UH Foundation news release.

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