JIMMY AND JEANNE YAGI CREATE A LIVING LEGACY HONORING PARENTS

"We want this endowment to remind people of the example of our parents, who contributed to the community in many ways. They guided us and many other people, and we honor them for that."

Jimmy and Jeanne Yagi have made a $25,000 gift to establish the James S. and Kameko Yagi/Sadao and Bessie Y. Nishida endowed scholarship at UH Hilo to honor their parents. According to Jimmy Yagi, UH Hilo Vulcans basketball coach from 1973 to 1985, "We are convinced that we share with others an obligation to support our community. The example we've been shown encourages us to help UH Hilo, especially now when resources are limited."

Jimmy's father, James S. Yagi, and his mother, Kameko Yagi, were children of immigrant sugar workers from Okinawa who had only grade school educations. James S. grew up on the Big Island working at and eventually owning the family business known as Kulana Foods, a local meat processing company.

Kameko, who also grew up on the Big Island, was an officer in the family business, which became a strong supporter of Vulcan Athletics participating in fundraising efforts and donating food and services. Kameko even prepared and donated the original "Vulcan chili" for fund raising at basketball games.

Jeanne's parents, Sadao and Bessie Nishida, were also deeply committed to their community, and their lifetime in the public sector reflects their belief in the American ideals of freedom, education and opportunity. Sadao Nishida earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star in World War II as a member of the highly respected 442nd Infantry which, as the first Asian-American combat unit in Europe, helped defeat the Axis powers and bigotry in America. Following the war, he had a distinguished career as a probation officer for the State of Hawaiʻi Judiciary Department.

Bessie Nishida graduated from UH Mānoa at the age of 19 and went on to teach at elementary and secondary schools for decades.

"We sincerely hope our contribution will help students from the Big Island to pursue their educational goals," said Jimmy Yagi. Jeanne adds, "We hope our contribution also can serve to inspire others to support UH Hilo."

The Yagi's concluded, "What better way is there to honor our parents' legacy?"

L-R: Jeanne Yagi, Jimmy Yagi and UH Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng gather to sign the gift agreement launching the James S. and Kameko Yagi / Sadao and Bessie Y. Nishida Endowed Scholarship at UH Hilo.