UH Alumni Association now welcomes all UH alumni as basic members

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Stacia Garlach, (808) 956-4551
Office of Alumni Relations
Posted: Sep 30, 2010

HONOLULU -- The University of Hawai'i Alumni Association (UHAA) is adding to its existing paid annual and lifetime membership levels a free, basic membership level that will automatically include all alumni of any of the 10 University of Hawai'i System campuses. The three levels of membership in the UH Alumni Association now include:
 
Lokahi -- Unified (Free Basic Level)
All graduates from any of the 10 UH System campuses are automatically members of the UHAA 'ohana and can:
  • Log on to the UHAA Online 'Ohana to stay in touch with fellow alumni and receive news and updates from UHAA, their campus and the UH System
  • Receive Malamalama Online -- the UH System magazine
  • Join UH Federal Credit Union
  • Receive special rates from GEICO & Liberty Mutual
Ha'aheo -- Proud (Paid Annual Level)
Give back to your university, receive exclusive member benefits and provide essential support to UHAA. Includes:
  • All Lokahi benefits
  • Chapter membership
  • Membership packet with card to access discounts, mahalo gift
  • Special discounts to UH athletic events, airlines, hotels, insurance, dining, attractions. New benefits added continually.
  • Discounts to UHAA events
'Onipa'a -- Steadfast (Paid Life Member Level)
The highest level of UHAA membership for those who wish to make a lifetime commitment to support UH. Includes:
  • All Ha'aheo benefits
  • A one-time payment – no recurring annual dues
  • Exclusive life member events
  • Life member packet, mahalo gift, gold inlay membership card to access discounts
"As part of our mission to keep alumni connected with the university and with each other, we want to be more inclusive," said Douglas Inouye '85, '03, president of the UHAA board of directors. "Adding a free membership level allows us to do that, and dramatically expands our ranks."
 
There are more than 220,000 living UH System graduates. Paid "Ha'aheo" and "'Onipa'a" members will continue to receive premium benefits, such as membership in its constituent chapters and discounts on UH Athletics events, travel, dining, special events and more. Alumni can upgrade to paid UHAA membership, which is open to everyone, at UHalumni.org/join.
 
"Income from our paid membership levels will continue to be essential in funding our nonprofit organization's programs and operations, including and especially student scholarship support," said UHAA executive director Janet Yoshida Bullard '82, who is also associate vice president for alumni relations at the UH Foundation. "We rely on and sincerely appreciate the support of our paid members."
 
Paid members were the first to be notified of the change in August. UHAA's "All in the 'Ohana" campaign about the all-inclusive membership structure will continue throughout the fall.
 
"Above all, we hope the new 'Lokahi' membership level will help alumni feel more connected and encourage them to keep in touch with each other and with UH," said Bullard. "Our Online 'Ohana functions as the hub for this communication."
 
UHAA's Online 'Ohana at UHalumni.org provides all members a UH-specific social networking platform that integrates with other social networking sites, like Facebook. It includes an online alumni directory, a career section where alumni can post and look for jobs, and UHAA and chapter event listings, news and photos. It also features fully customizable user profiles with features like RSS feeds, photo management, friend lists, groups and more.
 
To encourage alumni to make the most of their membership, UHAA is giving away an iPad, five $200 Costco gift cards and a Warrior Football helmet to seven lucky alumni. Those who log into their existing accounts or set up new accounts by Nov. 15, 2010, are automatically registered for the drawing. Visit UHalumni.org for details.
 
"We realize the profound importance of keeping alumni engaged with the UH System," said Inouye. "As an organization of alumni, by alumni, for alumni, we take this responsibility very seriously and hope this change will help to increase alumni involvement on many levels."
 
 

For more information, visit: http://UHalumni.org