honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Midkiff given philanthropy award

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Robert Midkiff

spacer spacer

Robert Midkiff, a longtime Hawai'i philanthropist, businessman and former chairman of Bishop Trust Co., has been given the Fred Rogers Leadership Award in Philanthropy for Children, Youth and Families.

The national award is given in honor and memory of the late Fred Rogers, one of the country's best-known advocates for children and host of the PBS show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."

The award came with a $5,000 donation to the charity of Midkiff's choice, the Good Beginnings Alliance, a nonprofit aimed at improving early education.

"Bob has provided a foundation of hope for the entire early childhood field," said Elizabeth Chun, executive director of the Good Beginnings Alliance.

"We imagine Mr. Rogers would be delighted to watch Bob Midkiff speak with passion on behalf of children."

Midkiff, 87, is a fixture in local philanthropic circles. In 1988, he helped create the nonprofit Hawai'i Community Foundation and in 1996 he played a key role in the formation of the Good Beginnings Alliance.

From 1997 to 2003, Midkiff served as volunteer president of the Good Beginnings board. He is the former president of the Atherton Family Foundation, where he has championed early education efforts and other charitable causes.

He also is the chairman emeritus of the Hawai'i Theatre Center, where he has spearheaded recent efforts to renovate the Downtown landmark.

In the private sector, Midkiff headed Bishop Trust until it was sold to Bank of Hawaii Corp. in 1993.