“Hawai‘i Pacific University is pleased that ARDA-Hawai‘i is providing this scholarship opportunity to our students,” said HPU President Chatt G. Wright. “The award will assist HPU students with their education and raise awareness of the growing timeshare element within the travel industry. HPU will make the first scholarship award in spring 2007,” Wright said.

Wendy Lam, director of HPU’s Travel Industry Management (TIM) program, added: “The establishment of the Steve Hirano Memorial Scholarship by ARDA-Hawai‘i will help educate students about this dynamic profession and provide them with the skills required to build a successful career in the industry.”

The scholarship honors Steve Hirano, a long-time lobbyist for ARDA, for his dedication to building the timeshare industry in Hawai‘i. Funds raised through the annual ARDA-Hawai‘i Golf Tournament will benefit the endowed scholarship.

“ Without Steve Hirano, we might not have a timeshare industry in Hawai‘i today,” said Mitchell A. Imanaka, managing principal of the law firm, Imanaka Kudo & Fujimoto, and past chair of ARDA-Hawai‘i. “Steve helped to create a platform for future growth and prosperity, and his efforts will bear fruit for many years to come.”

ARDA-Hawai‘i, made up of 29 members representing 74 timeshare properties statewide, is the professional association representing vacation ownership and resort development industries.