UHA Health Insurance $22,500 Donation Funds Scholarships for 12 Disadvantaged Local Youth to Attend ‘Ohana Arts’ Summer, Fall Theater Programs

Honolulu, HI (July 31, 2025) – Thanks to a $22,500 donation from UHA Health Insurance, two economically disadvantaged local keiki are participating in the ‘Ohana Arts’ intensive summer musical program, while an additional 10 will be able to attend this fall.

The UHA donation is fully underwriting the 10 students’ fall fees and partially underwriting the summer fees to help expose these children to this type of theater program.

Kaileah Pagtulingan is one of the students who received a scholarship for the current intensive program. Her mother April shares, “The scholarship we received for our daughter to attend ‘Ohana Arts was very helpful. It has been a long-awaited wish for her to attend the summer program, and it helped to make it happen!”

UHA presented the donation to ‘Ohana Arts on Friday, July 18, during the summer class’ performance of the musical “Shrek Jr.” at UH’s Kennedy Theatre.

“Over the past 16 years since ‘Ohana Arts has been in operation, it has been our dream to offer accessible, affordable programs to all students who are interested in the performing arts, regardless of the ability to cover tuition. UHA’s generosity has allowed us to build the foundation of the dream we cultivated so long ago,” shared Laurie Rubin, co-artistic director for ‘Ohana Arts. “We know that UHA is dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to the people of Hawai‘i; we’ve seen the great benefits to the mental health of students who seek a safe place, unconditional acceptance of who they are and a boundless opportunity for self-discovery and creation. UHA is helping us build a diverse theater family, allowing students who have an affinity for the performing arts to participate without finances being a factor.”

Keiki in the ‘Ohana Arts summer program, located at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, are aged eight and up. Numbering nearly 100, they attend 37 schools across the island from Waikiki Elementary to Kapolei High Schools.

“‘Ohana Arts came to us to fill a need in our community. After witnessing for myself the joy that these students have for the arts, I believe it is critical to have programs that create a venue for children to do what they love and to be with others who share their passion,” explains Howard Lee, president and CEO of UHA. “By supporting spaces for social connection and belonging, we hope to positively impact the well-being of our young people.”

As a homegrown, physician-founded health insurer, UHA takes to heart its kuleana to care for the community by supporting all facets of well-being for our keiki to our kupuna.

Fundraising Tote Bag
The $22,500 donation includes both cash and the development of a limited-edition tote bag. UHA worked with local designer moxie3innovations to create a fundraising tote that retails for $25; UHA donated 1,800 of these special-edition totes at a total cost of $10,000 to produce. Sales of the tote bag are continuing, but have already brought over $1,100 to the nonprofit.

The fundraising tote bag is inspired by the Japanese idiom ichi-go, ichi-e – translated to “one time, one meeting” and the concept of making the most of every moment; that aligns naturally with UHA’s own belief that better health results in a better life – all of which results from remaining mindful about one’s health and well-being.

UHA first connected with ‘Ohana Arts through its original musical “Peace On Your Wings” and was excited to support its physician community in raising awareness of pediatric oncology at the musical’s premiere, where the ichi-go, ichi-e totes were also unveiled.

‘Ohana Arts and UHA thank moxie3innovations, which donated its design expertise to the collaborative project.

For more information and to purchase tickets to any ‘Ohana Arts’ productions or the fundraising tote bag, please visit ohanaarts.org.

About ‘Ohana Arts
‘Ohana Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which aims to inspire and engage people through high-caliber educational and professional arts programs, and to cultivate an international family (‘ohana) in the Pacific by promoting world friendship and peace through the universal language of the arts. ‘Ohana Arts seeks to provide opportunities for students at varying levels of experience, ability and skill in a nurturing yet disciplined environment in which they can develop to the fullest artistic, ethical and intellectual standards as individuals and responsible members of a changing global society.

About “Peace On Your Wings”
“Peace On Your Wings” is an original musical inspired by the real life story of Sadako Sasaki and her one thousand paper cranes. The play’s original musical score, written by ‘Ohana Arts’ co-founders Jennifer Taira and Laurie Rubin, combines modern pop with Japanese influences to create a unique, uplifting and inspiring show. ‘Ohana Arts will travel to Japan to perform the musical in August 2025 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings.

About UHA Health Insurance
UHA Health Insurance – through one of the largest physician networks in Hawai‘i – provides medical, drug and vision plans to over 4,200 Hawai‘i employer groups and over 57,000 members. It is the only homegrown health plan founded by physicians themselves: University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine educators. UHA continues to be physician-led with an aim to influence healthcare in Hawai‘i for the better, while granting its members access to high quality care; it was the first in the state to offer health plans focused on wellness and prevention of disease. By meeting strict quality standards to ensure clinically sound decision-making that respects the rights of patients and medical providers, UHA received accreditation in Health Utilization Management through URAC, the independent non-profit that promotes healthcare quality. For information, visit uhahealth.com.

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