Press Release: HOT Announces New Director of Fundraising & Major Gifts

HOT is pleased to announce that Kevin Takamori has been named Director of Fundraising and Major Gifts. His responsibilities will include leading efforts to increase fundraising and establishing a legacy giving program.

“Over a 25-year career in fundraising, supporting the arts has always been one of the most rewarding areas of focus for me,” Takamori said. “I am thrilled to join the Hawaii Opera Theatre, which not only brings the world’s best opera to Hawaii each year, but also engages more than 25,000 keiki across Oahu and the neighbor islands through its nationally recognized educational outreach programs.”

Born and raised in Honolulu, he is a graduate of ‘Iolani School, the University of Hawai‘i, and Harvard University.

Takamori’s fundraising career began at Harvard, where he managed the alumni travel program during Harvard’s historic $2.6 billion capital campaign.  After 15 years in Boston, he returned to Honolulu to lead the University of Hawai‘i’s alumni relations program. He also served as Development Director for Hawai‘i Arts Alliance, where he helped to expand private support through increased major gifts, event fundraising, and grant writing.  Most recently, he worked as Director of Development at Hawai‘i Pacific University, where he successfully secured major gifts and grants for HPU’s Oceanic Institute, Athletics program, Performing Arts, and student scholarships.  

Additionally, In 2003 Takamori was named a “Harvard Hero” for outstanding work in development and alumni relations, and in 2007 he was selected for the Pacific Century Fellows Program for future leaders of Hawaii.

HOT General Director Simon Crookall said he expects Takamori will build on HOT’s successes in fundraising in the local community and looks forward to having him on board.