$361K+ raised to empower UH Mānoa’s future journey, hospitality leaders

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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business’ School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School) hosted its twenty fourth annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala on March 31 on the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. As the biggest fundraiser in help of TIM School pupil scholarships, the occasion raised greater than $361,000 by the beneficiant help of Hawaiʻi’s hospitality and enterprise neighborhood.

This yr’s celebration was particularly significant because the TIM School celebrates its sixtieth anniversary in 2026, honoring six a long time of making ready leaders who form Hawaiʻi’s customer trade and the worldwide journey financial system.

“As we celebrate 60 years of the TIM School, this event reflects the strong partnership between our students and the industry they will soon lead,” stated Vance Roley, dean of the Shidler College of Business and First Hawaiian Bank Chair of Leadership and Management. “The continued support from our community ensures that future graduates are equipped to advance a visitor industry that is innovative, responsible and grounded in Hawaiʻi’s culture and values.”

Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism acknowledges people and organizations which have made excellent and lasting contributions to Hawaiʻi’s customer trade.

At the March 31 gala, the 2026 Legacy in Tourism Award was offered to Elliot Mills (BBA ’93), CEO and managing companion of Hawaiʻi Hospitality Group. Mills was honored for his management and long-standing dedication to operational excellence, workforce growth and strengthening Hawaiʻi’s hospitality sector.

Kylie Matsuda-Lum (BS ’01), managing director of Kahuku Farms, was inducted into the TIM Alumni Hall of Honor. A proud TIM alumna, Matsuda-Lum has helped rework her household’s agricultural enterprise right into a profitable agritourism vacation spot that connects guests with native agriculture, sustainability and neighborhood.

The Distinguished Service Award was offered to ClimbHI, a nonprofit group devoted to serving to college students discover profession pathways and efficiently transition from highschool into post-secondary training and the workforce. Through trade partnerships and profession readiness packages, ClimbHI performs an important function in strengthening Hawaiʻi’s future workforce.

The 2026 presenting sponsors have been Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa and Bank of Hawaii. Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, Kamehameha Schools and Marriott International served as contributing sponsors, and Daniel Ok. Hilton was a platinum sponsor. Hawaiʻi Business Magazine once more returned because the media companion.

Support from sponsors, donors and neighborhood companions helps present important scholarship funding for college students making ready for careers in hospitality, tourism and transportation. Since reunification with Shidler College in 2019, the college has:

• Introduced greater than $1.5 million in new pupil scholarships
• Nearly doubled the scale of the school
• Created six new college endowed fellowships and professorships
• Rising world and nationwide rankings
• Increased undergraduate enrollment by 4.5% from 2024 to 2025
• Awarded greater than $560,000 in scholarships in the course of the 2025–26 educational yr
• Enabled greater than 90% of graduates to search out employment or pursue graduate examine inside three months of commencement
• Established the TIM PhD program

To help the TIM School or Shidler College of Business, contact Jennifer Lieu, director of growth, at jennifer.lieu@uhfoundation.org. Find out more about past honorees.