Frank Delimaʼs Student Enrichment Program

Frank De Lima's Student Enrichment Program was founded in 1980 by De Lima, who serves as the Program's executive director and is one of Hawaii's most popular and beloved comedians. Being blessed with the gift of comedic communication, De Lima knew he could make a positive impact on Hawai`i's keiki. De Lima was so passionate about this cause that the school visitations were funded through his own personal assets for more than 20 years.

The Program was incorporated in the State of Hawai`i in 1995 as a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to primarily provide drug education and drug abuse prevention services to Hawai`i's youth. Since its establishment as a non-profit, the Program serves more than 160 elementary and middle/intermediate schools throughout the state and reaches about 80,000 students annually. It takes De Lima two years to complete the entire school visitation cycle.

Growing up in today's society is difficult. Children are often confronted with negative influences including drugs, alcohol, smoking, peer pressure, bad nutrition, etc. Without the proper support and education, wrong decisions could have potentially damaging long-term effects on Hawai`i's keiki (i.e., failing/dropping out of school, incarceration, substance dependency, obesity, teen pregnancy, etc.) As a result, Frank De Lima's Student Enrichment Program provides vital guidance to Hawai`i's public and private elementary and middle/intermediate school students on the development of positive attitudes and values during their maturational process.

A fans testimonial regarding the Student Enrichment Program after a recent performance by Frank

Aloha Frank,

Words cannot begin to express how much seeing your performance yesterday meant to me. It took my mind off issues and it was so good to just laugh. Had not laughed like that in a very long time. I find myself wishing people would embrace our differences as part of who we are and simply get along with one another. That is the message my family and I take away from your performances.

As I mentioned yesterday, our two children still talk about you and your visits to St. Elizabeth school on O'ahu. Your message to them back then, about being tolerant of different people has had a lasting positive impact, and I see them teaching the same lesson to their children. So, they pass along the gift. Thank you for having that influence.

Mahalo,

Rick Moore