The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa received a gift from the Hawaiʻi Association of Public Accountants (HAPA) Oʻahu Chapter to establish a $50,000 Endowed Scholarship to encourage and assist students in obtaining their degree in accounting from the College's School of Accountancy. The initial $25,000 gift from HAPA was matched by Shidler's Matching Gift Funds to total $50,000.

Established in 1943, HAPA is an organization of practicing public accountants on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi. One of its missions is to encourage and support future members of the accounting profession.

"Through the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants Oʻahu Chapter Endowed Scholarship, HAPA continues its proud tradition of supporting educational opportunities for students in Hawaiʻi," said Jeffrey Lee, (BBA '75, MBA '76) CPA and scholarship committee chair of HAPA Oʻahu Chapter. "This scholarship will not only recognize deserving Hawaiʻi High School students for academic achievement, but will also attract students with leadership qualities to help strengthen Hawaiʻi's accounting community."

"Over the past decade, the Hawaiʻi Association of Public Accountants Oʻahu Chapter has been a tremendous supporter of our accounting students and programs," said V. Vance Roley, Dean of the Shidler College of Business. "HAPA has participated in Business Night, worked with student clubs and engaged in many of our College activities. We are grateful for their continuing commitment to higher education."

"We are grateful to the Hawaiʻi Association of Public Accountants Oʻahu Chapter for their contribution and commitment to our University and community," said UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw. "Support from the accounting community is critical to recruiting impressive local students to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and cultivating new generations of accounting leaders."

HAPA is a professional organization with active chapters on all Islands. Each chapter conducts continuing educational seminars, social events and scholarship award programs. HAPA is an affiliate of the National Society of Accountants organization with a membership of well over 20,000 from the U.S. and its territories.