Article Photos

The Baldwin High School Class of 1959 put the first dollars into the newly formed H.P. Baldwin High School Foundation's bank account last week.

Lella (Tokumaru) Migita and Karen (Kurisu) Moody of the Class of 1959 presented a $10,500 check to foundation President Warren Shibuya (BHS 1961), Vice President Mel Ito (BHS 1967), Director Kevin Yoshida (BHS 1984) and Baldwin High Principal Natalie Gonsalves on Thursday at the Wailuku campus.

Migita and Moody spearheaded the donation campaign during the Class of 1959's joint celebration of its golden-anniversary reunion and statehood from Aug. 20 to 23. Other class members at the presentation were Bob Hashiro, Pat (Gaspar) Kaauamo, Ruth (Kimura) Nakasone, George Okamoto, Betsy (Kojima) Tadaki, Joan (Nakagawa) Takakura and Jimmy Yoshioka.

The money was raised from a silent auction and donations from individuals. Nearly half of the money came from the Migita Foundation, led by Lella Migita and husband Ron, a 1959 Baldwin alumnus who is also president and chief executive officer of Central Pacific Bank.

The donation came just as the foundation officially organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity at the end of September, said Shibuya, who spearheaded its formation.

The foundation will help provide scholarships and funds for program development for teachers, travel expenses for Baldwin athletic teams that qualify for state tournaments, and capital improvement projects the state might not fund, Shibuya said.

"We'll try to kokua," Shibuya said in a phone interview Monday. "The bottom line is the students' benefit."

The fledgling foundation has a board of directors but no paid staff. The directors bring diverse skills, expertise and community influence. Shibuya said directors of different ages will maintain continuity for the foundation.

The directors and officers include:

* Shibuya, a retiree from the Space and Missile Systems Center, a part of the Air Force Space Command; Maui planning commissioner; A&B Sugar Museum docent; and past vice chairman of the county Board of Variances & Appeals.

* Ito, branch manager of the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union.

* Desiree Ting (BHS 1996), board treasurer; finance officer, Kahului branch of Central Pacific Bank.

* Joanne Toma Shibuya, Warren Shibuya's wife, board secretary. She is a Kaimuki High School graduate.

* Yoshida, vice president and Kahului branch manager for Central Pacific Bank.

* Bradford R. Ing (BHS 1996), director; attorney with Ing & Jorgensen.

Shibuya feels there is an untapped vein of community involvement and financial support, something he noticed after returning to Maui in 2002. There are people with money who want to get involved, but may be too old to physically volunteer, he noted.

He wants to convoke them - and of course alumni of the high school - because "we are a good place to channel their money." The foundation offers tax benefits to donors and public recognition for those donors who want such benefits. Donors may specify how their money is used, for scholarships in their names, as grants for school programs or other uses, he added.

When forming the foundation, Shibuya said he examined other foundations, including the Lahainaluna and Maui High foundations. He said Baldwin's foundation will grow slowly "in a way that has integrity." Organizers hope to be able to hire an executive director someday.

But for now, the Baldwin foundation could use a certified public accountant, he said.

Prospective donors may write their checks to H.P. Baldwin High School Foundation and mail them c/o President Warren S. Shibuya, 35 Kulamanu Circle, Kula 96790. For more information, contact Shibuya at 878-3778 or by e-mail at Ob1Shibuya@hawaiiantel.net.

* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.