Council recognizes Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation’s 40 years of classroom grants

The Honolulu City Council formally recognized the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation’s 40th anniversary, highlighting the foundation’s role in funding classroom innovation and teacher development across the islands.

Council member dos Santos Tan introduced the recognition and said the foundation — founded in 1986 — has supported educators and students statewide through programs including Good Idea Grants, education-innovation grants, design thinking boot camps, coding initiatives and genome science teacher training. The presenter said the foundation has awarded more than $5,000,000 in grants to date.

Why it matters: Council remarks framed the foundation’s grantmaking as a catalyst for classroom innovation and workforce preparation, supporting hands-on STEM learning and training that the presenter said prepares students for 21st-century opportunities.

Ken Hiraki (identified in remarks as the foundation’s executive director and a former state legislator), his wife Robin and trustee Quinn Ogawa were introduced at the ceremony. Council members and guests praised the foundation’s long-standing partnership with higher-education institutions and local schools.

The recognition was ceremonial; no formal funding action was taken during the meeting.