A message from the family of Aimee Takaki, a dedicated educator and lifelong learner, who died tragically in early September 2025
“Aimee believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives. Her life was a testament to quiet generosity and steadfast compassion, and her legacy is now an opportunity to lift the next generation of students. By supporting the Aimee Takaki Endowed Scholarship Fund, you help carry forward her light, encouraging curiosity, confidence, and achievement in those who need it most. We hope you will join us in shaping a brighter future in Aimee’s name.”
Ways to Donate:
Option 1: From your cell phone, scan the QR code below:
Option 2: Using a web browser, visit the following website: https://go.hawaii.edu/gZm
Option 3: Send donations by check to University of Hawai‘i Foundation
Please note the “Aimee Takaki Endowed Scholarship Fund” or Acct #21089703 in the memo line
Mail checks directly to the UH Foundation at the following address:
University of Hawai‘i Foundation / Attn: Crystal Yukumoto / P.O. Box 11270 / Honolulu, HI 96828
Aimee Takaki devoted her life to education, service, and the well-being of her students. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu (UHWO) and continuing her graduate studies at UH Mānoa, she spent several years teaching English at UHWO before joining the faculty of Saint Francis High School where she continued to shape young minds until the school’s closure in 2019.
“Following her undergraduate and graduate studies, Aimee taught English courses at our campus in Kapolei,” said Stan Orr, Professor of English at UHWO. “In reviewing her classes, students frequently used words such as ‘amazing,’ ‘caring,’ and ‘favorite.’ It is no wonder that Aimee was such a valued member of the UHWO English teaching staff.”
Takakiʻs final and deeply cherished teaching home was Myron B. Thompson Academy (MBTA), a public charter school where she worked until her passing. At MBTA, she immersed herself fully in school life, serving as adviser for the National Honor Society, helping coordinate the school prom, and supporting countless student activities. She treasured her time there, forming strong bonds with her students and colleagues.
“The impact Aimee had on her students highlighted her dedication and the lasting positive influence she had on so many lives,” MBTA Secondary Counselor Connie Nakasone recalled. “We as educators all watched her lead by example. She made many of us want to be better.”
At every stage of her career, Takaki found joy in her students’ growth. She was known for her kindness, her patience, and her unwavering belief in each student’s potential. She understood deeply that many future teachers, like herself, do not always follow a straight or easy path, and she believed that every journey, no matter how winding, carries value.
Curtis Ho, UH Mānoa College of Education Professor Emeritus and Aimee’s uncle, noted, “The scholarship will carry forward Aimee’s legacy, keeping alive what mattered most to her: helping others find their purpose, lifting up those who need encouragement, and opening doors so that future generations of students and teachers can achieve their dreams. I could not have been prouder of the educator she became. Her diverse path brought depth, richness, and meaning to every class she taught.”
Through the Aimee Takaki Endowed Scholarship Fund, her family seeks to honor not only the educator she became, but the generous spirit that guided her life. This scholarship will support students whose journeys resemble Takaki’s, those who take non-traditional paths, who persevere, who discover their calling later, and who aspire to give back as teachers.
