$65K for Shidler college raised through record, sold-out Executive Vineyards event

Kelly Simek, Mark Milton, Shidler Dean Vance Roley, Kelly Vea, Reid Hinaga and Grant Nakama

The 23rd annual Executive Vineyards event raised a record $65,000 for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business. Held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on March 9, a sold-out event of more than 600 guests enjoyed an evening of networking, sampling delicious items from local restaurants and tasting a variety of wines and spirits with the iconic Diamond Head and Waikīkī Beach in the backdrop.

The Executive Vineyards is the largest annual event for the Shidler College of Business Alumni Association, a 501(c)3 organization, which supports the Shidler college with alumni outreach efforts, student programming, scholarships and more.

“It’s amazing to see the outpouring of community support, especially from alumni-affiliated organizations, and to see our board band together to elevate and enhance this event year after year,” said Grant Nakama, BBA ’05, MBA ’11, event co-chair and vice president of operations, Mahi Pono, LLC.

“Our 2023 proceeds exceed past fundraising totals,” said Kelly Vea, BBA ’18, event co-chair and real estate advisor, Chaney Brooks. “We’re incredibly grateful to the many partners and supporters who understand the importance of supporting Shidler College.”

Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley added, “Seeing this event grow in size, support and popularity—starting with humble beginnings, to a sold-out event at the Royal Hawaiian—speaks to the sheer commitment and dedication of our alumni board. We’re incredibly appreciative for the association’s support and the countless volunteer hours put forth to make this event so successful.”

Local newscaster and UH Mānoa alumna Kelly Simek emceed the sold-out event, and guests had the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items, as well as try their luck to win lucky draw items, including two round trip tickets from Alaska Airlines, and hotel stays at the Ritz Carlton Waikīkī Beach and ʻAlohilani Resort.

Spirits and wine were generously donated by event sponsors Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Hawaii and Beverage Marketing & More, with Kakaʻako Wine donating 5% of wine purchase proceeds back to the association. Lexus Hawaiʻi by Servco served as diamond sponsor; Bank of Hawaii, Hawaiian Discovery Furniture, Hawaii Dental Service, Mahi Pono, Par Hawaii and The Shidler Group served as platinum sponsors; and Pacific Business News was the media sponsor.

About the Shidler College of Business Alumni Association

With more than 40,000 alumni all over the world, the Shidler College of Business Alumni Association is the largest chapter within the University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association. The Shidler College of Business Alumni Association was created in 1997 as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with the sole purpose to promote and support the Shidler College of Business and its students, alumni and friends.

About the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 

Founded in 1949, the Shidler College of Business was named in 2006 after alumnus Jay H. Shidler, founder and managing partner of The Shidler Group. In 2017, Shidler increased his initial gift of $25 million to $228 million, making it the largest individual donation to the University of Hawaii; and in 2019, the School of Travel Industry Management rejoined the college.

The college is renowned for its multicultural learning environment and its expertise in international business education, and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 25 schools for international business by U.S. News & World Report. Long recognized for its Asia-Pacific focus, the college offers a wide variety of degree, certificate and executive programs. The college has the only graduate program in the state of Hawai‘i and Vietnam accredited by AACSB International. For more information, visit Shidler.hawaii.edu.