Harvey Tajiri

"Talk Story Bridges Town/Gown Communication and Support!"

In these days of texting and emails, Hui Ka Ua President Harvey Tajiri prefers to make deeper, more personal communication. “It's sitting down with someone and having a face-to-face conversation that really matters.”

Four years ago, Harvey birthed the idea of Hui Ka Ua, a non-profit support group for UHH and HawCC. He gave it roots and now he wants to see it branch out, to bloom and grow with the help of the “nourishing rain” of new members. The message he wants to convey is: “Join Hui Ka Ua and become involved in supporting the university!”

Throughout his many decades of community service, it has been Harvey's experience that people in our community will give – give their time, their monetary donations, their support – but they have to feel a personal connection. He makes time to talk with others about his continuing passion to support UHH and HawCC.

Making that connection happen, engaging the community so that they are enthusiastic about supporting the University is one of the prime objectives of Hui Ka Ua! This issue of the Hui Ka Ua newsletter will focus on up close and personal stories – snap shots of the people inside the departments, because that is the best way for the community to understand more about the anatomy of the University.

“It is no secret that we are in a very tough economy and it is difficult to give, but when people support our centers of higher learning, they are really giving back to themselves. Every single person in the community is affected by the university and HawCC. There are so many organizations that have chosen Hilo as their headquarters because of the presence of the university.”

When confronted with the question of how to give of oneself, most of us need a nudge toward the good. Harvey will keep on spreading the word, person to person, about how to help Hui Ka Ua grow, and welcomes all efforts to keep aloha thriving in the community and at the University.

There are few earthly things more beautiful than a university. It is a place where those who hate ignorance may strive to know, where those who perceive truth may strive to help others see.

- John Masefield