By Anna Weaver | Hawaii Catholic Herald

Who wants to give a million dollars?

That would be Clifford and Katherine Dias, who recently gave Clifford’s alma mater, St. Joseph School in Hilo, the largest monetary donation it has ever received — $1 million. Dias, a 1967 graduate of St. Joseph, requested that the money be used for athletic and academic programs.

“It’s a wonderful blessing that one of our alumni recognizes that his education here at St. Joseph has benefited him throughout his life,” said school principal Sister of St. Francis Marion Kikukawa. “[Cliff] and his wife Kathie want to afford that opportunity to other students over the next 10 years and into the future.”

St. Joseph School was founded in 1869 and is the only Catholic school on the Big Island. It has 400 students from preschool to twelfth grade.

In a June 1 press release, Dias said, “I realize that a lot has changed since I graduated, but what has not changed is that kids still need support, whether it be in academics, athletics, or just a friendly helping hand.”

The Dias’ have no children of their own, but Sister Marion said she was grateful they were “thinking about other people’s children by giving this generous gift that will help us in educating them.”

Sister Marion said that a committee has been appointed to administer the $1 million gift but they have not yet met to decide how the money will be used. She expects that the first check will be cut in December.

Clifford Dias grew up in Hilo and was a 12-year student at St. Joseph School. His four siblings also graduated from St. Joseph and his aunt, St. Francis Sister Stephen Marie Serrao, has served there for 20 years.

Dias went to the University of Portland in Oregon and eventually became the president and CEO of OnPoint Community Credit Union in Portland. He retired in 2006. Dias met his wife Kathie at college. She is a registered nurse, who retired in 2004 after 31 years with Legacy Health Systems, a Portland area hospital health care system.