HONOLULU -- The Hawaii High School Athletic Association on Tuesday announced $400,000 in donations to help public school athletic programs as part of a fundraising effort to make up budget cuts.

The campaign launched by HHSAA Director Keith Amemiya is designed to help Hawaii public schools that face losing $1.2 million for prep athletics.

The Clarence T. Ching Foundation donated $200,000, First Hawaiian Bank $100,000, Bank of Hawaii $50,000 and the The GIFT Foundation of Hawaii $50,000.

"I think it is wonderful. I think it is something that shows that they care and it is really great to see the community come together to support our kids through athletics," Hawaii Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto said.

The fundraising efforts, including a direct donation from Amemiya essentially saves high school athletics on Molokai.

"We are a tri-isle league, so our expenses to get to Maui are huge," Molokai High School Athletics Director Camron Kimball said.

Schools are looking to cut back on supplies, travel team size and coaches to make up the budget deficit.

The Pearl City High School football coaching staff decided not take the pay from the beginning. Instead, they have poured the money back into the program.

"With such a large cut, there was a real possibility that some sports teams would be cut or even participation numbers would be cut," Amemiya said. "This $400,000 donation from these four companies is a great start."

Anyone wishing to make a donation to help the high school athletics programs can send checks made out to HHSAA at P.O. Box 62029 Honolulu, HI 96839.