Former University of Hawaiʻi Foundation President Donna M. Howard died on May 1. Howard led the organization from 1994 to 1999, during a pivotal period that shaped its long-term success.
With vision, collaboration and a deep belief in the power of education, Howard transformed the UH Foundation.
“Donna will be remembered by many for all she did for UH leading our foundation at a critical time when we were becoming serious about creating a culture supportive of philanthropy,” said UH President Emeritus David Lassner. “She continued to be a great supporter of UH even after she retired. When I was appointed president, she was one of the first people to open her home to introduce me to community members who could help, and she continued to be there for us whenever we needed assistance.”
Howard believed philanthropy was about trust and relationships. She listened to donors, understood their motivations and connected them with meaningful opportunities. She also energized alumni and business partnerships, while championing transparency and accountability. Her leadership boosted donor confidence and the foundation’s community profile.
Giving back to UH
Her work translated into lasting benefits for UH students, faculty and research. She later established the Howard-Carhart Scholarship Endowment for Maui students, citing her appreciation for the university’s role in her family’s lives.
“My daughter and I both earned our master’s degrees from UH,” she said. “The university has given us much, and we are grateful.”
Colleagues remember Howard as warm, strategic and inspiring.
“Donna had a leadership style that made everyone feel valued,” said Jere Nakamura, director of gift processing at UH Foundation. “She led with a smile and made us feel part of something meaningful.”
When she left to lead the Kapiʻolani Health Foundation in 1999, the UH Foundation was a more resilient organization, ready to support the university for generations. Her legacy continues in the strengthened culture of philanthropy she helped create.
