Two weeks ago, the Hawai‘i Public Radio board of directors hosted a fundraising luncheon in my honor to establish the Fajardo HPR Student Internship Fund which will help HPR foster the next generation of public media professionals. It was a terrific event, one that was quite emotional for me seeing and feeling the love from so many people.
During the event, the team debuted a video honoring my time at the station, featuring my voice from my last on-air appearance during HPR’s 2024 spring membership campaign.
I was honored to be seated at a table with John Henry Felix, the inaugural chairman of the board for HPR, who pick up the tab for the luncheon. A couple of years ago, we acquired a transmitter to better serve West Maui and we changed the call signs to honor John Henry. I reminded those attending of that moment when we let John Henry know that the new transmitter would be known as KJHF. I also reminded everyone of how important that transmitter became during the recent fires in West Maui. Here’s a clip of brief remarks I made at the close of the event.
So far, the luncheon has raised over $34,000, and these funds will be matched dollar for dollar by HPR’S innovation fund, allowing the fund to reach over $68,000. These dollars will be used to find an internship program for high school and college students interested in a career in radio.
If you would like to contribute to this fund at any amount, you can do so at HPR’S website. Just be sure to mention the FAJARDO STUDENT INTERNSHIP FUND in the comments section so that your dollars will be routed to the correct place.
In the meantime, as I get closer to my final day at the station on July 31, the staff is planning a final send-off on my last work day. Plans are still in the works, but it certainly will be during the daytime at the station and open to friends and family who want to attend. We will post more details here once we know more. A group of friends and supporters is also planning another event sometime in the late-Summer / early-Fall to celebrate this huge life transition and my upcoming birthday.
I want to thank HPR for honoring me in this way, and thank those who attended and made contributions to the fund.
Thank you for reading, and thank you again for your continued support and friendship.
with aloha,
Jose, this is wonderful! You have given so many people so much; your guidance, support, love and dedication will always be felt in their hearts. I am so proud of you!
what a beautiful tribute to the love and aloha you have given to HPR over the years.
i remember you casually telling me you had an interview with them and thought you might just “check it out”! i am delighted that everyone appreciates the “greatest showman” as much as i do!
THANK YOU jennifer for being an amazing partner and caretaker to one of the greatest people i have ever known.
josé- i have always been and always will be proud of you and the difference you make in the world! ❤️
Heartwarming, inspiring, and well deserving! Luv u!
Sorry I was unable to attend the luncheon, but happy to know that my donation went toward a scholarship for future students. KHPE does philanthropy very, very right!! Aloha, Alice Tucker