While HPA’s past and present are rich with inspirational champions of philanthropy who have left an indelible mark on the school’s 75-year history, current parents Marc and Lynne Benioff stand out not only for their tremendous financial support but also for their generosity of spirit. Their well-deserved reputation as leaders in altruism is matched only by their commitment to bolster the pillars of community writ large, often without a great deal of fanfare.
In HPA’s 2024 fiscal year, the Benioffs contributed a remarkably generous $1 million in unrestricted support to HPA, making a profound yet intentionally low-profile impact. Unlike funding for a specific initiative or special project, unrestricted giving does not typically involve ribbon-cutting ceremonies or commemorative plaques. Yet, their gift was transformative, providing HPA with the flexibility to channel resources where they are needed most — whether supporting faculty, enhancing student life, or maintaining the very foundation upon which the HPA experience is built. Their support of the Hawaiian community through HPA extends back to 2005 when with Lynne’s wonderful guidance, they funded tuition for HPA students through the Akaka Scholars program. And looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, they have committed another outstanding $1million toward Financial Aid.
“We are incredibly grateful to Marc and Lynne Benioff for their continued generosity and aloha for our school and our community,” says Head of School Fred Wawner. “First and foremost, they are truly great parents. Beyond that, I know them to be thoughtful and selfless partners who care deeply for the HPA ‘ohana and for Hawai‘i Island.”
Indeed, the Benioffs’ impact extends far beyond HPA. Their personal philanthropy in Hawaiʻi, and on Hawai‘i Island in particular, has addressed a spectrum of critical community needs — from housing and healthcare to education, public safety and the environment. In recent years, for example, they have donated more than $200 million to support health care needs in Hawaii, including the expansion of a family birthing center, intensive care unit, neurosurgical program, and behavioral health services at Hilo Medical Center (now the Hilo Benioff Medical Center) and an outpatient clinic on nine acres in Keaʻau. Through a nonprofit they established several years ago to support affordable housing, they have provided more than 440 acres of land to the Hawaiʻi Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) for local families. Marc and Lynne’s enduring commitment to HPA as well as to neighboring schools and their students further exemplifies their deep care for education, innovation and exploration, and the future of Hawaiʻi’s youth.
The Benioffs’ $1 million unrestricted gift to HPA is both a demonstration of generosity and a testament to their belief in the school’s mission. Supporting the HPA community in this way reflects their confidence in the school’s purpose, its people, and its ability to steward resources wisely. The Benioffs recognize that the most pressing needs of today may not be the ones foreseen years ago, and through their giving, they empower the institution to adapt, innovate, and uphold its core values over time.
“This kind of philanthropy ensures that HPA can respond nimbly to challenges and opportunities alike, sustaining our long-term success in ways that are both strategic and deeply impactful,” says Assistant Head of School for Advancement Hannah Hind Candelario ’01. “We simply cannot say enough how deeply grateful we are to the Benioffs for their generosity. They continue to prioritize the good of HPA and the wider community, and we are profoundly honored to be entrusted with their support.”
Through their largesse, the Benioffs join a rare and distinguished group of HPA champions who understand that true philanthropy is not just about shaping a school’s future in one particular way, but about empowering it to grow and excel in every way — for the benefit of all who pass through its doors, now and for generations to come.