Mark Robison: Football, Family & a Hawaii Athletics Legacy

Mark Robison’s connection to the University of Hawai’i football program extends far beyond his days as a player. The former Rainbow Warrior has recently demonstrated a deep commitment to the team’s safety, purchasing new football helmets and initiating a fundraising effort to ensure all players have access to top-tier protective gear.

Robison’s journey to becoming a benefactor of the UH Mānoa football team is rooted in his own experiences as a student-athlete. He first arrived in Hawai’i after graduating from West Seattle High School, where he played football. His path, as detailed by HMI LLC, began in a “rough” and underprivileged area of West Seattle, highlighting the dedication and grit required to reach the collegiate level. He then went on to play for the University of Hawaii.

The recent helmet purchase wasn’t a spontaneous act. Robison, in an email to friends, articulated a clear rationale: This is about player safety, he wrote. These young men deserve our support from all corners of the Hawai’i community. This sentiment underscores a desire to foster a sense of collective responsibility for the well-being of the athletes.

Robison’s career trajectory after his time at the University of Hawai’i is equally noteworthy. He founded Robison Construction, Inc. (RCI) in 1973, building a company that became a leader in heavy civil and industrial construction in Washington state. RCI’s work included building “miles of the state’s infrastructure,” demonstrating a significant impact on the region’s development. After nearly three decades at the helm of RCI, Robison sold the company to Parsons, a move that allowed him to explore new ventures.

The sale of RCI didn’t signal a retreat from the business world, but rather a pivot towards property development and investment. He formed HMI, a company built on a foundation of 50 years of combined construction and finance experience. HMI’s portfolio is diverse, encompassing redevelopment projects, ground-up construction, and investments in both start-up companies and existing businesses. A prime example of HMI’s development work is the HighMark Medical Center in Issaquah, which achieved LEED Gold designation for its sustainable building practices.

Beyond construction and development, Robison’s business interests have extended into environmental work, railways, and even the paper industry, showcasing a willingness to identify and capitalize on opportunities across various sectors. HMI’s investment arm has also found success with elevat, a company offering an IoT-based solution for managing intelligent assets in real-time.

HMI’s vision, as stated on its website, emphasizes a long-term perspective and a commitment to excellence in every endeavor. The company strives to be forward thinking and plan for the future, a philosophy that appears to extend to Robison’s philanthropic efforts with the University of Hawai’i football program.

Robison’s support isn’t merely financial. He actively seeks to build a network of support for the team, inviting others to contribute to the cause. His aim is to ensure the players know they’re not alone out there, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility for their safety and success.

The University of Hawai’i football program has a rich history, and the names of its letterwinners are carefully documented, though the list remains incomplete. The athletics department actively solicits information from anyone with data regarding players not currently listed, demonstrating a commitment to preserving the program’s legacy.

Robison’s story is one of perseverance, entrepreneurial spirit, and a continued dedication to the institution that played a pivotal role in his own development. From his beginnings in West Seattle to his success in the construction and investment worlds, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a keen eye for opportunity. His recent actions regarding the UH Mānoa football team underscore a desire to give back to the community that supported him and to ensure the safety and well-being of the next generation of Rainbow Warriors.