HONOLULU — The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation has gifted $200,000 to the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Residences for Innovative Student Entrepreneurs, or RISE, project, according to a news release.

What You Need To Know

  • The $200,000 gift by The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation will help to fund scholarships for students in the RISE program

  • The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship at the UH Manoa Shidler College of Business will conduct entrepreneurship programs within the facility

  • RISE is fully funded with private, non-taxpayer money under a public-private partnership between UH, UH Foundation, and Hunt Development Group Hawaii

  • All current and prospective students at any of the 10 UH campuses can apply at the RISE website

RISE is designed to be a world-class hub for entrepreneurial students along with student housing being built across from the Manoa campus on the site of the former Atherton YMCA. Programs will be operated by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship at the UH Manoa Shidler College of Business.

The gift will help to fund scholarships for student residents at the 374-bed, live-work-learn community.

Student residents moving into RISE for the coming fall semester will experience a new housing community with like-minded students, in addition to UH entrepreneurship programs conducted by PACE in classrooms, makerspaces, meeting rooms and coworking spaces.

“We want every student who is a creator, changemaker and problem-solver to have the opportunity to live at RISE and be immersed in an environment where they can explore their passions and bring their ideas to life, however, the cost to live at RISE is a barrier for some of these students,” said PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama in the release.

“Through the generous donation by The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, we are able to offer scholarships to these students as part of our PACE Leaders program and open the door to this unique opportunity,” said Fujiyama.

UH Manoa’s Residences for Innovative Student Entrepreneurs, or RISE, project is set to open its doors in August. (Rendering courtesy of Hunt Development Group)

PACE and the UH Foundation have raised over $5 million in private gifts to pay for RISE and cover the cost of operations and scholarships during its first few years.

RISE is fully funded with private, non-taxpayer money under a public-private partnership between UH, UH Foundation, and Hunt Development Group Hawaii. The project’s general contractor is Moss and B.HOM Student Living will manage RISE.

“The Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation’s vision aligns with our mission to nurture local talent and innovation, empowering UH students to make a lasting impact in Hawaii,” said Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley.

“We are grateful for the generous scholarship support, which enables us to unlock the potential of deserving student entrepreneurs. The PACE Leaders program stands at the forefront of educational innovation, providing students with an opportunity to cultivate and refine their entrepreneurial and leadership skills,” said Roley.

RISE student spaces, including housing, will open by August. All current and prospective students at any of the 10 UH campuses can apply. Visit the RISE website for information and to apply.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.