Community, Faculty, Student

Takeyama Foundation donates $1M


L to R: UH Foundation President Donna Vuchinich, UH President David Lassner, Roy Takeyama, UH Regent Jan Sullivan, Hilda Takeyama, UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Rockne Freitas, UH West Oʻahu Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Doris Ching, Academy for Creative Media System Director Chris Lee


The Roy and Hilda Takeyama Foundation has made a $1 million commitment to support and advance the mission and priorities of the Academy for Creative Media that is housed at the UH West Oʻahu campus. Their gift will support Academy for Creative Media students with tuition, books, fees, travel, the purchase of computer hardware and software, student internships, and special student scholarships that may be established. It will also be used to outfit the anticipated Academy for Creative Media building with state-of-the-art equipment. In recognition of this gift, two classroom laboratory spaces will be named after Roy and Hilda Takeyama.

UH President David Lassner said, “As state funding has failed to keep pace with educational needs, and tuition has reached levels that can no longer sustain major increases, it is vital that we develop our philanthropic capacity.” Lassner continued, “Roy Takeyama has already given so much to the University as secretary to the Board of Regents, as a regent and chair of the board, and in helping found the Emeritus Regents.” He concluded, “This generous gift in the name of Roy and Hilda Takeyama to support one of our most innovative new programs, the Academy for Creative Media at UH West O‘ahu, is an incredible additional testament to Royʻs commitment to Hawaiʻi’s university and his belief in what we do every day for the people and future of Hawaiʻi.”

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Roy and Hilda Takeyama Foundation in supporting UH West Oʻahu’s creative media program,” said UH West Oʻahu Chancellor, Rockne Freitas. “Students from across the state will have incredible new opportunities to study and learn from talented faculty using the latest digital communication tools here at UH West Oʻahu. This generous gift allows UH West Oʻahu to make even greater strides in fostering a truly student-centered University culture.”

Founder and Director of the Academy for Creative Media System, Chris Lee added, “All of us are thrilled and honored by the continuing vision and generosity of Roy and Hilda Takeyama who were crucial donors in establishing our first program at UH Mānoa.” Lee continued, “With this gift we will be able to enhance the creative media programs at UH West Oʻahu and build the campus into a hub for creative media students across the islands via articulated academic pathways from all of the community colleges.”

Roy Takeyama has a long, impressive history of distinguished service, leadership, governance, and active connection with the University of Hawai‘i. In addition, he is a highly respected attorney-of-law and president of Roy Y. Takeyama, A Law Corporation, and president of RYT, Inc. consultant on real estate matters. Takeyama actively served the University of Hawai‘i for nearly three decades and is a former deputy state attorney general and influential member of the community in the State of Hawai‘i.

From 1968 to 1980, Takeyama served as Secretary of the UH Board of Regents, Secretary of the University of Hawai‘i, and Special Assistant to the UH President. From 1987 to 1995, he served on the UH Board of Regents, as a member (1987-1992), as vice chair (1992-1994), and as chair of the Board (1994-95).

UH West Oʻahu’s Creative Media program is offered in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi System’s Academy for Creative Media that identifies and coordinates the media studies efforts of all University of Hawaiʻi campuses. Taking full advantage of the system-wide approach, UH West Oʻahu’s program enables each student to develop a unique skill set at the community colleges and then transfer seamlessly to UH West Oʻahu for continued scholarship and professional development.

UH West Oʻahu’s Creative Media concentration prepares students for in-demand careers in transmedia production, graphic design, digital video production, mobile and platform game design, web interface design, iOS Apps, and other digital media outlets.

Interested students may elect to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in Creative Media or a Bachelor of Applied Science with a concentration in Creative Media at UH West O‘ahu after completing recommended associate’s degree coursework. Students who complete or are currently completing 60 credits of 100/200 level coursework in digital media at the following UH Community Colleges are eligible for transfer admission to UH West Oʻahu.

  • Hawaiʻi Community College Hilo and Palamanui campuses
  • Honolulu Community College
  • Kapiʻolani Community College
  • Kauaʻi Community College
  • Leeward Community College Pearl City and Waiʻanae campuses
  • Maui College
  • Windward Community College

For more information, visit the UH West Oʻahu Creative Media webpage and the Academy for Creative Media website.

Story courtesy of E Kamakani Hou // writer Julie Funasaki-Yuen // photographer Brian Miyamoto

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