Allen Murabayashi ’90

Allen Murabayashi’s ’90 energy and enthusiasm for Punahou know no bounds – literally. This serial entrepreneur, photographer and musician has traveled the globe connecting and engaging alumni.

President Jim Scott ’70 said it best when he introduced Murabayashi at an on-campus event in April. “He’s everywhere. Where in the world is Allen Murabayashi? He was in New York with me in February when we launched the public part of our comprehensive campaign, and a week later, we were in San Francisco.”

The Big Apple is home for this global citizen, and there he helped spearhead the creation of the Punahou Alumni Association New York (PAANY) in 2013.

Murabayashi was also the driving force behind the popular Punahou Sessions music video series, featuring alumni musicians from eight decades performing at iconic locations across the Punahou campus.

Murabayashi has given tirelessly of his time and talents in other ways. For example, he supports Punahou as a mentor in the Wo International Center’s Student Global Leadership Institute (SGLI), and continues to mentor and convene SGLI alumni worldwide.

So why does he do it? “When I was at Punahou, academics was probably least of the things that I excelled at,” recalls Murabayashi. “I was involved in music and theatre, I was the blood bank chairman, and started an environmental club. It was a place where a kid who had a lot of ideas had an opportunity to make that all happen.”

“What inspires me are the people that I meet. I’m constantly impressed by the alumni, whether they’re from the Class of 1930 or 2020.”