Howard Lee

Occupation: President & CEO of University Health Alliance (UHA) Health Insurance
College: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
What school you grad? James B. Castle High School ‘79
Location: Honolulu, HI

For the past 15 years, Kāneʻohe native Howard Lee has served as president and CEO of UHA Health Insurance, a physician-founded health insurer that provides medical, drug and vision plans to local employer groups and businesses. Having served on numerous nonprofit boards, he is still active in the community serving the Hawai‘i Association of Health Plans (director), the March of Dimes Hawai‘i Chapter (board member), Mid-Pacific Institute (trustee and Finance & Education Committee), Kapi‘olani Health Foundation (board member), a member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Corporate Directors and the American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i and was recently recognized by Pacific Business News as one of Hawaiʻi’s Most Admired Leaders in 2026.

Lee attended Kapunahala Elementary, Governor S. W. King Intermediate and graduated from James B. Castle High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Q: What was your journey like after high school?
ก: I was the first and only child in my family (including parents) to get a four-year degree and attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I then spent time as an audit manager with Coopers & Lybrand, then Magoon Estate Limited and Guenoc Winery as vice president and cController. I joined UHA Health Insurance in 1997 as Chief Financial Officer and served in that role until 2005. I was promoted to chief operating officer in 2003 and then was named executive vice president in 2004. I have been serving as president & CEO of UHA since 2011.

Q: What are you up to these days?
เอ: I am the president and CEO of UHA Health Insurance, and I serve on several nonprofits ranging from education, health and social services. I am happily married and have two kids who are now in their 30s. I have one grandchild that I’m lucky to see daily and am enjoying watching him grow up. I have been very blessed with good health, family, a wonderful career and good friends. I love to travel and experience different cultures.

Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?
ก: Castle High School had two bookkeeping courses that later inspired me into the accounting profession.

Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
ก: Learning how to get along with people from all walks of life. Knowing that you can achieve your goals and be successful in the public school setting.

Q: Favorite subject in school?
ก: Bookkeeping

Q: What type of extracurricular activities were you involved in?
ก: Football, track and basketball

Q: What was your favorite school lunch or breakfast?
เอ: Tacos and tater tots.

Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
ก: My business teacher, Mr. Uyehara.

Q: What advice do you have for students?
ก: Set goals and figure out how to achieve them.