The Waterhouse Charitable Trust is being recognized for its longstanding commitment to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student-athletes as one of 10 founding members of the new Shoji Society, a leadership giving society established to strengthen the future of UH Mānoa Athletics. The Shoji Society serves as the major giving component of the newly launched 'Bows Athletics Club, which provides opportunities for supporters at all giving levels to invest in UH Athletics.
 
The Waterhouse Charitable Trust's connection to UH Athletics dates back decades to Alexander C. "Alec" Waterhouse, a lifelong supporter of the Rainbow Warriors and one of the foundational figures in UH Athletics fundraising. Waterhouse was a founder and chairman of the Nā Koa Football Booster Club and an original member of the ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue Board of Directors. He was inducted into the UH Circle of Honor in 1997.
 
Waterhouse was particularly committed to improving the experience of UH student-athletes. He worked with then-football coach Bob Wagner to develop the vision for a dedicated strength and conditioning facility, and in 1998, he contributed $300,000 to help establish the training facility that now bears his name. Waterhouse's support extended across UH teams, coaches and staff, reflecting his belief in the importance of providing student-athletes with the resources to succeed. He remained a passionate supporter of UH Athletics until his passing in March 1999.
 
"Long before today's college athletics landscape, Alec Waterhouse understood that investing in student-athletes was an investment in the future of Hawaiʻi," UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. "The Waterhouse Charitable Trust has carried that vision forward for generations. We are incredibly grateful for their extraordinary commitment to our student-athletes and honored to recognize the Waterhouse legacy as part of the Shoji Society."
 
Investing in UH's future
Waterhouse's support helped shape the experience of generations of UH student-athletes. His substantial contributions helped make possible the purchase of weight room equipment for the UH Physiology Research and Training Facility, which was named in his honor.
 
That legacy continues today through the Alexander Waterhouse Sports Performance Facility, which underwent a $3.3 million renovation in 2023–24. The 10,000-square-foot facility now features new strength and conditioning equipment and a nutrition center serving approximately 500 student-athletes across 21 sports.
 
The Waterhouse Charitable Trust also has provided significant direct support for student-athletes. In 2015, the Nā Koa Football Club received a multiyear gift of more than $1 million annually from the trust, one of the largest gifts in the athletics department's history. The gift supports football student-athletes through summer school tuition, cost-of-attendance stipends, nutritional enhancements, strength and conditioning equipment and other program needs.
 
Contributions to UH Athletics from Waterhouse and the Waterhouse Charitable Trust total over $13.5 million dollars.
 
"Alec Waterhouse was a man of great honor, faith, and generosity," Trustee Stanley Y. Mukai said. "His legacy continues to support many causes, including in education, community outreach, spiritual worship, and athletics with significant donations. He was passionate and proud of University of Hawaiʻi sports, and his affinity for Warrior football is well-chronicled. A humble person, Alec's giving was conducted without fanfare. He would have nevertheless appreciated the distinction bestowed upon him as a founding member of the UH Shoji Society. On behalf of Alec Waterhouse, thank you for recognizing and celebrating his benevolence with respect to UH athletics."
 
Current Waterhouse Charitable Trust leadership members include: Trustees, Stanley Y. Mukai and First Hawaiian Bank.
 
Shoji Society founding members
The trust joins the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, Dr. Alvin and Monica Saake Foundation, Rie Wong and the Edwin S.N. Wong Foundation, Bank of Hawaiʻi, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Jack and Frances Tsui, Walter Dods and Gabe and Shirley Lee as the 10 charter members of the Shoji Society. Collectively, the founding members have committed more than $38.3 million over 46 years to strengthen opportunities for UH Mānoa student-athletes.
 
Named for legendary Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji, the society recognizes individuals and organizations making significant commitments to UH Athletics. Membership begins with a minimum pledge of $50,000 over up to five years, with giving supporting priorities such as scholarships, name, image and likeness opportunities, student-athlete development, facilities and other program needs.
 
For Elliott, recognizing the Waterhouse Charitable Trust is about more than acknowledging a financial contribution—it is about honoring a legacy of belief in UH Athletics.
 
"Philanthropy plays a significant role in allowing an athletics department to meet its mission, which is to create a great student-athlete experience," Elliott said. "The Shoji Society gives us an opportunity to appropriately show our appreciation to the amazing people and corporations in our state that have supported us."
 
The Shoji Society is the first major giving society in UH Athletics history named in honor of an individual. Its founding members represent a longstanding tradition of community support that has helped UH student-athletes compete, earn degrees and represent Hawaiʻi on the national stage.
 
For more about the Shoji Society and 'Bows Athletics Club, visit the UH Mānoa Athletics website.
 
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