Hawaii Couple's $25K Gift Funds Scholarships for Decades

When Terry Kawamura Sasamura and Ross Sasamura met at Punahou School in Hawaii during the 1970s, they couldn't have imagined they'd one day create a scholarship fund together that would support students for decades to come.

Now recently retired after careers in banking and city government, the couple is marking their 50th class reunions with a gift that's as financially smart as it is generous. They've committed to establishing a permanent scholarship fund for the school's PUEO program, which helps talented students from families with limited resources.

"It all stems from gratitude," Terry explained. "Our parents worked very hard to send us to Punahou, and I was always taught to be grateful for all that I had."

The couple structured their gift in three clever ways that maximize both impact and personal benefit. They're making a five-year pledge to reach the $25,000 minimum for an endowed fund, where only the investment earnings get spent each year while the principal keeps growing forever.

They also created a deferred charitable gift annuity that will pay them 7.1% annually starting in five years for the rest of their lives. After they pass, the remainder goes to their scholarship fund.

Finally, they named the school as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, adding even more future support.

Why This Inspires

The Sasamuras stayed connected to Punahou long after graduation, working carnival food booths and reunion committees for decades. When their two sons attended the school, they coordinated parent support groups and spent four years helping run the JROTC program.

Their 50th reunion gift focuses specifically on the PUEO program because its mission resonated deeply with them. The program serves students with "unlimited potential and limited resources," aligning with what Terry calls "Punahou's commitment to being a private school with a public purpose."

What makes their approach particularly inspiring is how they've made generosity work for their family's finances. The gift annuity supplements their retirement income while providing immediate tax benefits, and their sons and future grandchildren can contribute to the fund they've started.

"We enjoyed the unique experiences as students and as parents," Ross said. "We are thankful for our blessings and giving is our way to pay it forward."

Their creative giving strategy proves that major philanthropy doesn't require sacrificing financial security, and that investments in education can ripple through generations in ways that multiply far beyond the initial dollar amount.