{"id":116678,"date":"2020-04-23T14:44:20","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T00:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=116678"},"modified":"2020-04-24T16:52:52","modified_gmt":"2020-04-25T02:52:52","slug":"in-memoriam-bobby-fujimoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2020\/04\/23\/in-memoriam-bobby-fujimoto\/","title":{"rendered":"In memoriam: Bobby Fujimoto, former UH<\/abbr> Regent, business leader"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> < 1<\/span> minute<\/span><\/span>
\"five
Bobby Fujimoto, far right, with Fujimoto scholars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Board of Regents chairman and longtime local business owner Robert “Bobby” Fujimoto<\/strong> died on April 23 in Hilo. <\/p>\n

Fujimoto ran HPM<\/abbr> Building Supply<\/a>, a longtime local business run by generations of his family. He, his family and the company have been a strong supporter of UH<\/abbr> programs for many years.<\/p>\n

Fujimoto, third generation at the family-run lumber and building materials business, became president of the company in 1954. He retired from the company in 1982 and his son took the reins.<\/p>\n

“Bobby\u2019s generous spirit and commitment to service were an integral part of his life. UH<\/abbr> is a better institution because of his dedication and love for the people of this state,” UH<\/abbr> President David Lassner<\/strong> said. “This is a loss that will be felt throughout the islands, and we extend our deepest condolences to the entire Fujimoto ʻohana<\/span>”<\/p>\n

“On behalf of myself and the board, our hearts go out to the Fujimoto family, including his daughter Roberta Chu<\/strong>, who serves as the chair of the Maunakea Management Board, and the employees of HPM<\/abbr>. Bobby is a legend in our state and a role model for many business leaders,” Board Chairman Ben Kudo said. “We are saddened with his passing, but encouraged to know his positive impact on our students and this state will last for generations.”<\/p>\n

Fujimoto served on the UH<\/abbr> Board of Regents from 1979 to 1987. <\/p>\n

Board of Regents roles:<\/strong><\/p>\n