Hawaii Ties
“Ohana” means family in Hawaiian, and the long association between UC Law SF and the Aloha State bears all of the hallmarks of a familial relationship.
That connection goes back to the 1950s when students from Hawaii were allowed to pay in-state resident tuition at UC Law SF, making it the mainland school of choice for many prospective lawyers. Even after the policy ended, UC Law SF drew a wealth of students from Hawaii; today, that alumni group includes esteemed judges, politicians, and legal and industry leaders.
One luminary is Alan M. Oshima ’76, the president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Co., who was honored by UC Law SF and the Hawaii alumni at a gala on April 11 at the Pacific Club in Honolulu. The celebration was attended by some 250 guests and raised $132,000 for the UC Law SF Hawaii Scholarship Fund.
“There are so many people, in and outside the legal community, who know Alan and wanted to join us in honoring him,” said Cheryl Hetherington ’79, who co-chaired the event along with Constance Lau ’77 and Crystal Rose ’82.
Alan is an amazing person and we have been friends for a long time, since our UC Law SF days,” added Lau, who, as president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries, is also Oshima’s colleague. “People who grow up in Hawaii really value education and the capabilities that it gives us to do things for others. Alan took the knowledge and skills that UC Law SF provided him and became not just a great legal and business leader but also a leader for the Hawaii community.”
The Hawaii Scholarship supports deserving students with a substantial connection to Hawaii, said Hetherington, whose husband, George Hetherington ’78, is a trustee of the UC Law SF Foundation and a member of the selection committee. “Both George and I recognize that we benefited from the UC Law SF legal education and being in San Francisco. We want to help young people who want that experience and make it a little easier for them.”
Lau also credits her time at UC Law SF with shaping her career, and she hopes to give upcoming students a similar opportunity.
“It’s a wonderful time to support UC Law SF and Dean Faigman’s vision for the school,” Lau said. “I’m excited about the possibilities for the future.”