Memorials, Academic Achievement - Kaden Lee Gritzmaker, Salutatorian, Fairley High School -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Raumesh Akbari

A performance audit of the University of Hawaii Foundation to evaluate how donated funds are used and managed, aiming to improve transparency and donor-aligned spending.

Signed by Senate Speaker

#academicachievement #memorials

Main purpose

SR 154 is a Senate resolution requesting that the Office of the Auditor conduct a performance audit of the University of Hawaii Foundation (UHF). The resolution seeks independent evaluation of UHF’s use and management of donated funds to ensure funds are being used effectively, transparently, and in support of University of Hawaii System students, faculty, research, scholarships, and campus projects.

Key provisions

Requests the Office of the Auditor to perform a performance audit of the University of Hawaii Foundation focused on the effective use and management of funds received by the foundation.

Highlights UHF responsibilities: fundraising for the University of Hawaii System, management of over 7,000 gift accounts, and serving as the sole provider of private fundraising and alumni services.

Notes the “For UH For Hawaii” campaign (originally introduced in 2023) has raised in excess of $660,000,000 to support UH projects and efforts.

States the audit’s purpose is to identify potential shortfalls and areas for improvement to ensure productive use of donated funds.

Directs that certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and to the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Hawaii Foundation.

Who is affected

University of Hawaii Foundation (subject of the audit): Board of Trustees, CEO, and staff involved in fundraising and fund management.

University of Hawaii System students, faculty, researchers and campus programs that receive support from private gifts and campaign funds.

Private donors and alumni whose gifts are managed through UHF accounts.

Office of the Auditor (tasked to undertake the audit).

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced: February 24, 2025.

Referred to committees (HRE, WAM) and held a public HRE hearing (scheduled March 20, 2025).

Reported out of committee and adopted by the Senate (committee votes reported March 20–24, 2025). The resolution was adopted by the Senate (adoption entries appear across late March — e.g., March 31, 2025 — with final enrollment actions occurring in June 2025).

Status: Adopted / Enrolled (reported as read and adopted and later enrolled and transmitted per chamber records).

Potential impact

If the Office of the Auditor accepts and conducts the requested performance audit, the audit could produce findings and recommendations for improved transparency, internal controls, donor-account management, reporting, and alignment of expenditures with donor intent and institutional priorities.

Audit findings may prompt administrative changes at UHF, legislative follow-up, or policy changes at the University of Hawaii System or by the Legislature.

Note on source document

The source material contained multiple, unrelated resolution texts (including drafts from other states and commendations). The substantive text and legislative-history entries summarized above relate to the version of SR 154 that requests a performance audit of the University of Hawaii Foundation and that was carried by Senator John F. Kennedy (and other Hawaii sponsors).

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