Applause for Dods,
challenges for others

Applause for Walter and Diane Dods for their gift of $1 million to the University of Hawaii to finance a dozen scholarships each year for children of immigrants. Dods is chairman of First Hawaiian Bank and both are graduates of UH.

The endowment fund will be invested at First Hawaiian Bank and is expected to produce $50,000 a year or about $4,000 per scholarship, which would cover in-state tuition and books for a year. Preference will be given to applicants with at least one parent having been born in another nation. The recipients must have graduated from a public high school in Hawaii, have demonstrated academic merit, shown financial need and be enrolled full-time at UH.

In their generosity, the Dodses gently laid down a couple of challenges. In a press release, Walter Dods said: "I think it's crucial for leaders in our community to demonstrate tangible support for the University of Hawaii and for graduates of our public school system." Right. Which leader will step up next?

With the school system in turmoil because of a contract dispute, Dods added: "Hawaii cannot succeed unless our public education system is viewed as an avenue toward success in life." Truer words could not have been spoken. Negotiators for the state and the teachers, are you listening?

Richard Halloran

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