Mid-Pacific Receives $250,000 Gift for the Pūpūkahi Endowment

Mid-Pacific Institute is honored to announce it has received a $250,000 gift from Dr. Stephen Gainsley and Mrs. Gloria Kosasa Gainsley to the Pūpūkahi endowment, a dedicated fund to support the school’s esteemed Pūpūkahi hula program. Pūpūkahi has been a cornerstone of Mid-Pacific’s commitment to Hawaiian cultural education, integrating hula training for students in grades 9 through 12.

“This generous gift allows us to expand our hula and cultural learning opportunities for students, teaching them lessons they can carry into every aspect of their lives,” said Kumu Hula Lanakila Casupang, head of Pūpūkahi.

The endowment provides funding for critical elements of Pūpūkahi, including travel, performances and other opportunities to allow students to immerse themselves in Hawaiian culture, language and traditions beyond the classroom.