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Eight people standing and smiling
Conrad Nonaka, Carolyn Lee, Janice Luke Loo, Kelvin Ro, Michael W. Perry, Cuyler Shaw, Karen Uno and Keith Sakamoto

The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation donated $1.1 million to support the growing facilities and innovative programs at the state-of-the-art Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head (CIP).

This gift will help the University of Hawaiʻi reach its goal of raising $10 million in private donations necessary to secure $20 million in state funds expressly for building future structures at the institute.

Smiling Culinary Institute of the Pacific students

“The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head is something many of us, including Denise and Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong and Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton have dreamed about and worked hard to create for so many years,” said Kelvin Ro, CIP volunteer fundraiser and owner of Diamond Head Market and Grill.

In recognition of their generosity, the Food Innovation Laboratory at CIP will be named the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Innovation Laboratory. Additionally, the private dining room in the signature restaurant at CIP will be named the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Dining Room.

“This is such an important moment for the Culinary Institute of Pacific! Thanks to the Takitani Foundation and other private gifts, we are getting closer to qualifying for the matching support offered by the state,” said Culinary Institute of the Pacific Director Conrad Nonaka.

The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc., is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to helping Hawaiʻi’s youth achieve their educational and career goals by providing scholarships and other educational opportunities to Hawaiʻi students.

Read more about the donation at UH Foundation.

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