Our Legacy

Former Hawaii Governor John A. Burns was a visionary in many ways. He fostered and encouraged state pride, including a strong belief in University of Hawaii Athletics.

To fund this personal belief, he took $8,000 out of his own pocket in 1967 to start ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue, which today is the official fundraising arm of UH Athletics.

What started out as one man’s dream has evolved into an efficient non-profit that raises over $6.1 million annually for the benefit of UH Student-Athletes and the program in general. Since its inception, AKA has awarded close to 20,000 scholarships worth millions of dollars. These scholarships have had a direct positive benefit to the lives of countess UH graduates who have gone on to create professional and personal opportunities for themselves, their families and their communities in general.

Today AKA is responsible for the UHAD premium seating and parking program as well as organizational oversight for all Athletic Booster Clubs. The non-profit has also been given the mandate to look at other revenue generating opportunities on campus for the benefit of the program. 

AKA looks to the future to expand its scope of responsibility and its fundraising prowess through additional activities, programs and events. If you’d like to support UH Athletics and our hard-working student athletes, you can donate quickly and securely at koanuenue.org. ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue is a qualified 501(c)(3) and donations to AKA are generally tax deductible.  

ABOUT US

‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue (AKA) is comprised of and supported by people who have a passion for college athletics and a deep desire to see University of Hawaii Student-Athletes succeed both on and off the field. Traits like humility, competitiveness, pride and dedication are not only learned, but reinforced through athletics. There are literally thousands of UH Student-Athletes who have gone on to become physicians, lawyers, tradespeople and even non-profit employees, all working for the betterment of our communities and society in general.  

MISSION STATEMENT

“To be the leading developer of programs and people to raise money in support of University of Hawaii student-athletes ensuring the viability of the University of Hawaii Athletic Department.”