L to R: Kristen Udui shares her story on an EWC panel; for her father, Kaleb Udui, Jr., it’s a proud moment and a continuation of family tradition.

Cynthia Ai honors her mother Faith C. Ai (pictured), a devoted Hawaiʻi educator, through a scholarship celebrating learning and service.

FOR MANY, THE EAST-WEST CENTER IS MORE THAN AN ACADEMIC INSTITUTION— it is a bridge between generations, connecting families through shared experiences and a commitment to fostering global understanding. This is particularly true for the Udui family and alumni like Cynthia Ai (’67), whose dedication to EWC spans decades and generations.

THREE GENERATIONS OF LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP AT EWC

For current Graduate Degree Fellow Kristen Udui, her time at the East-West Center is about more than just earning a degree—it is about continuing a multigenerational tradition of leadership and learning. A second-year MBA student at the Shidler College of Business and recipient of the OmniTrak Loui Schmicker Scholar Award and the Jean E. Rolles Fellowship, Kristen follows in the footsteps of her father, Kaleb Udui, Jr., a 1995 EWC alum, and her grandfather, Kaleb Udui, Sr., who first attended EWC in 1966.

Kaleb Udui, Sr. was among the early Palauan scholars at EWC, part of a generation selected for their leadership potential. His experience laid the foundation for his family’s deep connection to education and public service. Decades later, his son, Kaleb Udui, Jr., would also attend EWC, using the opportunity to expand his expertise in finance and government. Kaleb Udui, Jr. previously served as the Minister of Finance for Palau and credits EWC with broadening his perspective and connecting him with global leaders.

Kristen recalls how her father encouraged her to consider EWC, emphasizing its role in shaping Pacific leaders. “He told me, ‘The East-West Center provides opportunities to expand your network and skills, and also an opportunity for you to share knowledge and perspectives from Palau with the world,’” she says. The EWC experience, she adds, has deepened her appreciation for cultural exchange and community, a lesson that echoes the values instilled by both her father and grandfather.

For Kaleb Udui, Jr., seeing Kristen at EWC is both a proud moment and a continuation of a family tradition: “It’s meaningful to see Kristen here. The experience I had at the East-West Center allowed me to broaden my perspective beyond the Pacific and engage with people from around the world. I know she will carry those lessons forward.”

The Udui family’s connection to EWC through three generations underscores its enduring impact in shaping leaders across the Pacific—and beyond.

HONORING A MOTHER’S LEGACY THROUGH GIVING

For Cynthia Ai, giving to the East-West Center is a deeply personal endeavor. In 2012, she established the Faith C. Ai and Cynthia Ai Endowed Scholarship in honor of her mother, Faith C. Ai, a lifelong educator devoted to improving public education in Hawai‘i. Faith was known for her ‘strict but fair’ leadership, enthusiasm for learning, and commitment to service. “My mother never told me outright to appreciate different cultures, but she exposed me to them in ways that shaped my perspective,” Cynthia shares. Whether through attending performances or fostering an appreciation for other perspectives, Faith ensured that her daughter grew up with an international mindset. Cynthia’s time as an EWC student in the 1960s solidified her belief in the Center’s mission. She recalls forging lifelong friendships with peers from across Asia and the Pacific, experiences that reinforced her understanding of cultural interconnectedness. Today, through her endowed scholarship, she ensures that future generations of students have the same opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to global cooperation. “I feel indebted to the Center,” she says. “It provided me with experiences and friendships that changed my life.”

THE ENDURING IMPACT OF GENERATIONAL TIES

Whether through participation or philanthropy, the stories of Kristen, Kaleb, and Cynthia illustrate the profound, lasting impact of the East- West Center. As generations continue to pass through its halls, EWC remain a place where knowledge, tradition, and global understanding are passed down, ensuring a brighter future for all.