A Legacy of Building Bridges

Henry Renteria’s career teaching English as a Second Language built pathways to an enriching life for his students.

Photo Courtesy of Scott Nishi, University of Hawaiʻi Foundation

A longtime teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL), Henry E. Renteria understood that fluency can be a bridge to confidence, opportunity, and connection. The Los Angeles native who found his calling in Hawaiʻi’s classrooms dedicated his life to helping others cross that bridge, leaving behind a legacy that will enrich the lives of generations of students through the Henry E. Renteria Scholarship Fund of HCF

A Serendipitous Start

Henry’s journey to Hawaiʻi began with a spontaneous act of curiosity. After earning his BA in English and MA in Spanish from California State College in Los Angeles, he was contemplating doctoral studies when he was intrigued by a job posting at the university’s job placement office for a teaching position in Hawaiʻi and applied. That decision launched an impactful and fulfilling 30-year career in education.

Upon joining the faculty at Kailua High School, principal Jackie Heupel offered Henry an opportunity that would shape his career: developing an English as a Second Language (ESL) program for immigrant students. For the next three decades, Henry found his passion in helping ESL students gain language skills that served as a pathway to confidence and a launchpad for achieving their dreams.

“I am passionate about teaching for many reasons.
I greatly enjoy the meaningful interactions
I share with my students, and seeing how developing
proficiency in English, a global language, makes such
a big impact on people's lives and future careers.
It opens up so many doors."
-Henry Renteria, creator of the Henry E. Renteria Scholarship Fund

The Global Language of Learning

As a Spanish-speaking child in East Los Angeles, Henry had an empathic perspective on his students’ struggles and aspirations. He understood firsthand how mastering English, what he called “a global language,” could transform lives and open career possibilities. His teaching philosophy centered on his own values of perseverance and confidence, which he imparted to his students through fluency and public speaking skill development that would serve them throughout their lives.

When he retired from Kailua High School in 1997, Henry set out to travel the world, but he never stopped teaching. After he took a friend’s recommendation to visit Costa Rica, he had a great time and became a part-time resident there, embarking on a decade-long commitment to teaching English at the International University of the Americas. For nine years, he split his time between San Jose and Honolulu, where he continued his work through the Center for Asian Pacific Exchange at the East-West Center, helping international students perfect their English fluency and integrate language skills into their professional careers.

A Legacy of Service and Connection

Recognizing the life-changing power of education he witnessed throughout his career, Henry established the Henry E. Renteria Scholarship Fund of HCF to support full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing studies in the fields of English or affiliated courses in language arts.

“As a former English teacher, this is the best investment I could make,” Henry wrote about his scholarship fund. “Creating a legacy at the University of Hawaiʻi is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Words That Build Bridges

Henry taught what he learned. English proficiency arms students with the tools to articulate their dreams, connect cultures, and achieve a sense of belonging.

“Henry leaves behind a powerful legacy that mirrors his life’s work,” says Eric Laʻa, Philanthropy Advisor and scholarship officer at HCF. “His scholarship fund provides future educators and communicators support to carry on the work that meant so much to him, helping new generations of students find their voices and build bridges to opportunity.”

Through the Henry E. Renteria Scholarship Fund, Henry's belief in the power of language and education will continue to transform lives. It’s a fitting legacy for a teacher who spent his life proving that, with the right support and encouragement, every student can build the confidence to succeed.

To learn more about Scholarships or Legacy Giving, please contact HCF Donor Services at (808) 566-5560 or donorservices@hcf-hawaii.org.