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HONORING CHEF GRANT SATO AND GIVING BACK

"I hope with my donation the students can feel proud to work with new equipment and in new, improved classroom facilities. I'm so happy that our students won 1st place at the National culinary competition, and I'm proud to be part of the Kapiʻolani Community College Ohana."

(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — On August 17th, friends and faculty of Kapiʻolani Community College (Kapiʻolani CC) joined Lynne Kaneshiro in celebrating her major gift to the Kapiʻolani CC Culinary Arts Renovations and Equipment Fund. This fund was created to help finance renovations, upgrades, equipment purchases and related expenses for the Culinary Arts Department at Kapiʻolani CC.

Lynne Kaneshiro began her career in 1969 with First American Title Company of Hawaiʻi. When she was 26, she became the youngest associate appointed executive vice president of the company. She formed and supervised seven escrow branches and business development programs in Hawaiʻi and Guam. After gaining 13 years of experience, she established her own company. Kaneshiro is the Founder of Island Title Corporation, a title insurance and escrow company. She founded the company in 1982 and served as its chairman, president, and CEO before stepping down in 2008. Kaneshiro is a long time supporter of the university, and a past member of the UH Board of Regents and ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue.

Lynne Kaneshiro attributes her inspiration to make this gift to Chef Grant Sato in recognition of his many culinary achievements since graduating from the Kapiʻolani CC Culinary Program. While in the culinary program at Kapiʻolani CC Grant Sato was honored with the Food Service Student of the Year award. He then went on to become Chef Instructor for the Employment Training Center Program at Kapiʻolani CC from 1998-2001 during which time he was awarded the Francis Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

From 2001-2006 Sato was the Chef Instructor for the Kapiʻolani CC Culinary Program and is currently the Kapiʻolani CC Commercial Enterprise Sous Chef for RCUH, and a program instructor for the Kapiʻolani CC non-credit Culinary Program. Additionally, he is a volunteer chef for PAL WEED and SEED Culinary Program at Campbell High School. A firm believer in making culinary education accessible, Chef Sato has been personally contributing to scholarships in the Kapiʻolani CC Culinary Arts Department since 2004.

"I'm very thankful to Lynne for her gift to the Culinary Arts Program at Kapiʻolani CC," said Chef Sato. "I would also like to thank all my colleagues, the chefs and instructors at Kapiʻolani CC who inspired me therefore allowing me to inspire others. Lynne has inspired us all with this wonderful gift."

L-R:Jerome Ranos, Operations Manager; Lori Maehara, Associate Prof/Counselor; Saori Sato, Program Coordinator, Honda International Center; Lynne Kaneshiro; Grant Sato, Instructor; Ron Takahashi, Dept. Chair for Culinary Arts; Leon Richards, Chancellor Kapiʻolani CC; Carol Hoshiko, Dean for Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and College Advancement

The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. Our mission is to unite our donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi's aspirations to benefit the people of Hawaiʻi and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. www.uhf.hawaii.edu