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News & Events

November, 2004

Dear Friends of Gary Sakihara,

We are proud to announce the selection of the first awardee of the Gary Kazuo Sakihara Memorial Scholarship Fund: Mr. Orlando Garcia-Santiago, PhD. Candidate in Sociology.

With your generous contributions, a committee worked this past year with the UH Foundation to establish the fund, develop selection criteria, publicize the scholarship and make this first award. We intend to keep the scholarship fully funded, give annual awards and continue to remember Gary by supporting many Sociology studentsÆ research and academic pursuits in years to come.

Orlando was an ideal selection because of his dedication to applied sociology, his research abilities, his camaraderie with fellow students, and his history of helping fellow graduate students succeed in their work. He expects to complete his dissertation entitled, "Community Participation in HIV Prevention Planning: From Local Wisdom to Public Health Policy" and graduate in May of 2005. He has Master's degrees in Sociology and Public Health from UHM. His research is in health promotion and community health development and he's been a teaching assistant for seven classes, a lecturer in five others, and is currently employed at the Asian/Pacific Islander Youth Violence Prevention Center. Orlando is greatly respected for his participation and assistance to students and faculty alike. He participates in student and community groups and has won numerous honors for his academics and service.

The Gary Kazuo Sakihara Scholarship Fund helped support Orlando's travel to San Francisco this past August to present "Building Bridges for HIV/AIDS Prevention: A Case Study of the Role of Participatory" Action Research in Social Capital Developmentö at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems. While there, Orlando attended the American Sociological Association annual meeting where he was able to meet David Takeuchi and Amy Yamashita from the University of Washington, and join others from the UH Sociology Department in a group photo (L-R seated:á Patricia Steinhoff, Joyce Chinen, Ying-shan Wei, Jinzhao Li, Moira DeNike; L-R Standing: Eldon Wegner, Orlando Garcia-Santiago, Amy Yamashita, and David Takeuchi -- sorry, sociologists aren't known for being great photographers).

Gary has been sorely missed this past year and those close to him appreciate all the kindness and support you have given--in all different ways. It is wonderful to know that students in a department where Gary spent many of the best years of his life--learning and making lifelong friends-- can benefit from your contributions in Gary's memory. The Department looks forward to making annual contributions to deserving students in Gary's name. Therefore, the scholarship fund needs your help in order to grow and provide additional scholarships. We graciously ask for your continued support with a tax-deductible contribution in his name to the University of Hawaii Foundation, 2444 Dole St. Bachman Hall #101 Honolulu, HI 96822. Please write Gary Sakihara Memorial Scholarship Expendable Account on the bottom of your check. The "expendable" designation is important since that amount and the endowed portion need to be maintained separately.

Should you have any questions about your contribution, please contact Eldon Wegner (UHM-Sociology at 808.956.7693 or Malia Staggs at the UH Foundation Office at 808.956.6311).

Sincerely,

Friends of Gary: David Takeuchi, Amy Yamashita, Nancy Marker and Joyce Chinen