For nearly four decades, Star-Bulletin editorial cartoonist Corky Trinidad spent his spare time in classrooms around Hawaii, teaching kids how to express themselves. Although Trinidad died earlier this year, his family and friends have decided to make his legacy permanent.

Today, on Trinidad's 70th birthday, the Friends of Corky have organized to create a Corky Trinidad Endowment Fund to be administered through the University of Hawaii Foundation.

“;As the Star-Bulletin's editorial artist and political cartoonist with a great sense of humor and a touch of genius, Corky touched many lives—not only in Hawaii, but around the world, while inspiring many young journalists and earning numerous prestigious international awards,”; notes Friends of Corky organizer Tess Bernales.

Inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame in 2005 by the Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Trinidad is still the only Asian-American to have worked as an editorial cartoonist at an American daily metropolitan newspaper. Starting out in Manila in the 1960s, Trinidad's blistering editorial illustrations and sly “;Nguyen Charlie”; comic strip in Pacific Stars and Stripes caught the eye of Star-Bulletin editors in 1969.

Trinidad died Feb. 13.

The Friends of Corky endowment is being established to aid students, scholars and researchers in journalism, mass communications, fine arts, performing arts and human rights, all of which were “;Corky's lifelong interests—especially painting,”; recalled Bernales.

The group is attempting to raise at least $35,000, which is the minimum needed to name an endowment. When the minimum total is reached, the UH Foundation will administer the endowment along with UH's Center for Philippine Studies.

“;Organizers are delighted that the Star-Bulletin has pledged a significant amount to the endowment project,”; said Belinda A. Aquino, director of the Center for Philippine Studies, in an opinion column in today's edition.

Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to Friends of Corky, care of the FilCom Center, 94-428 Mokuola St., Suite 302, Waipahu, HI 96797.

Information: Teresita Bernales at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Geminiano Arre at 680-0451.