Honoring Chef Grant Sato and giving back

Courtesy UH Foundation

"I hope with my donation the students can feel proud to work with new equipment and in new, improved classroom facilities.  I’m so happy that our students won first place at the National culinary competition, and I’m proud to be part of the Kapi‘olani Community College ʻohana." –Lynne Kaneshiro

HONOLULU - On August 17, friends and faculty of Kapi‘olani Community College (Kapi‘olani CC) joined Lynne Kaneshiro in celebrating her major gift to the Kapi‘olani CC Culinary Arts Renovations and Equipment Fund.  This fund was created to help finance renovations, upgrades, equipment purchases and related expenses for the Culinary Arts Department at Kapi‘olani CC.

Kaneshiro began her career in 1969 with First American Title Company of Hawaiʻi.  When she was 26, she became the youngest associate appointed executive vice president of the company.  She formed and supervised seven escrow branches and business development programs in Hawai‘i and Guam. After gaining 13 years of experience, she established her own company. Kaneshiro is the founder of Island Title Corporation, a title insurance and escrow company.  She founded the company in 1982 and served as its chairman, president, and CEO before stepping down in 2008.  Kaneshiro is a long time supporter of the university, and a past member of the UH Board of Regents and ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue.

Kaneshiro attributes her inspiration to make this gift to Chef Grant Sato in recognition of his many culinary achievements since graduating from the Kapi‘olani CC Culinary Program.

While in the culinary program at Kapi‘olani CC, Sato was honored with the Food Service Student of the Year award.  He then went on to become chef instructor for the Employment Training Center Program at Kapi‘olani CC from 1998-2001 during which time he was awarded the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

From 2001-2006 Sato was the chef instructor for the Kapi‘olani CC Culinary Program and is currently the Kapi‘olani CC Commercial Enterprise Sous Chef for RCUH, and a program instructor for the Kapi‘olani CC non-credit Culinary Program.  Additionally, he is a volunteer chef for PAL WEED and SEED Culinary Program at Campbell High School.  A firm believer in making culinary education accessible, Chef Sato has been personally contributing to scholarships in the Kapi‘olani CC Culinary Arts Department since 2004.

"I’m very thankful to Lynne for her gift to the Culinary Arts Program at Kapi‘olani CC," said Chef Sato. "I would also like to thank all my colleagues, the chefs and instructors at Kapi‘olani CC who inspired me therefore allowing me to inspire others.  Lynne has inspired us all with this wonderful gift."

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The University of Hawai‘i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. Our mission is to unite our donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i's aspirations to benefit the people of Hawai‘i and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. Please visit www.uhf.hawaii.edu.