Stories of Giving: Hollister

In 2008, Holly was diagnosed with ALS, when she was just 58 years old and just shy of her 40th Class Reunion at Punahou. Three years following her diagnosis, in 2011, Holly established a charitable remainder unitrust (CRT) at Punahou with assets she had inherited. The CRT would provide income to Holly for the rest of her life and, upon her passing, the remaining assets would be distributed to Punahou. The CRT paid Holly 5 percent of the trust asset value, revalued annually. When Holly passed away in November 2017, the assets in the trust were worth 122 percent of her original gift.

Following Holly's passing, her husband, Rich Kern, said Holly truly loved Punahou. Her commitment to her alma mater was one he had never seen before. To honor Holly's generosity, a music garden will be named for her in the new Kosasa Community as her enduring legacy and a reminder of her aloha for Punahou School.

Ka Punahou Society honors individuals who have chosen to support Punahou through a planned gift. There are currently 290 members. Mahalo to the many donors who have contributed to the Ku'u Punahou campaign with a planned gift.

If you have included Punahou in your estate plan or would like more information about Ka Punahou Society and gift planning, please contact Carrie Ogami, director of gift planning, at 808.944.5845 or cogami@punahou.edu.