Central Pacific Bank Foundation Contributes $100,000 in Support of Maui High School and College Students

HONOLULU, HI | November 3, 2021 – Central Pacific Bank Foundation (CPB Foundation) has contributed two grants totaling $100,000 to support education in Maui County — $50,000 to the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders (CTL) and $50,000 to the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation (UH Foundation). Both grants are to be used exclusively in support of Maui County high school and college students.

“We are pleased to support these two organizations with the common goal of developing our future young leaders on Maui,” said Assistant Vice President of CPB’s Maui Commercial Banking Center Catherine Shimizu. “We are hoping that coordination between CTL and UH will foster even stronger results for Maui’s high school students.”

Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders Grant

CTL is building a pipeline to engage, equip and empower young leaders for Hawaiʻi. Leadership development programs are being embedded within the school day at Maui County public high schools, starting with Maui High School. A diverse group of students are learning the essentials of leadership and communication, and will design and implement projects that make a difference in their school. After this year, CTL will continue to provide opportunities for multi-year leadership growth, even post-high school.

“We are grateful for the generous support of the CPB Foundation,” said CTL Executive Director Katie Chang. “Hawaiʻi’s youth need opportunities to develop leadership and critical thinking skills to succeed in college, career and civic life. The time is now to make long-term investments in Hawaiʻi’s future leaders.”

Next Steps to Your Future 2021 Grant (University of Hawaiʻi Foundation)

Building on Next Steps to Your Future 2020’s success, the 2021 initiative served more than 1,000 graduating Hawaiʻi public high school seniors statewide this past summer, targeting those who were undecided about their post-high school plans. The initiative connected these students to postsecondary education, training and/or employment through:

• Hawaiʻi P-20 Summer Advising Initiative: Connects graduating high school seniors with Next Steps Advisors to provide customized advising and “nudges” to help them make informed decisions and take actionable steps towards achieving their post-high plans.
• UHCC Summer Career Exploration Classes: Supports students’ transition with career-themed Next Steps: Career Explorations classes to explore career options and discover the education and training needed to reach their goals. Classes also prepare students to complete a math placement test and onboard students to complete fall semester registration.

“Hawaiʻi needs all of our high school graduates to understand that continuing their education is not only possible but is the best way they can achieve their potential, especially as we recover from this devastating pandemic” said UH President David Lassner. “This generous grant from the CPB Foundation has helped us offer every graduating Maui County public high school senior with the impetus and support they need, including $500 scholarships for each participating student, to set each of them on a path to a more positive future for themselves, their families and their communities through higher education.”

CPB’s Maui employees, many of whom are already involved with Maui high school clubs, will serve as program mentors.