2026
Community Activism
Recipient: Anastasia Perry
Anastasia Perry is a Native Hawaiian student from Lāwaʻi Valley, Kauaʻi, driven by a passion for problem-solving, social justice, and environmental sustainability. Through her work at Kamaloʻula Cultural Preserve, she discovered a passion for archaeology. Alongside her involvement with organizations such as Na Pua Noʻeau and her service as a student member of the Board of Water Supply, she developed a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the community that raised her. This fall, she will study Environmental Engineering at Brown University, where she hopes to take advantage of the open curriculum to explore her interests in environmental sustainability, archaeology, Indigenous studies, and the Russian language. Anastasia also plans to serve community organizations in Providence through programs such as the Bonner Fellowship. Ultimately, she hopes to use her education to benefit her local Kauaʻi community and contribute to collaborative sustainability efforts. This scholarship supports her goals while empowering her vision for the future of Indigenous women in engineering.
Tradesmanship
Recipient: Emelie Ogata-Tambua
Emelie Ogata-Tambua is pursuing a certificate in Occupational Environmental and Safety Management to advance her career as a construction safety professional. Already working in the field, she is committed to becoming more knowledgeable and effective in protecting the workforce she serves.
As the oldest of nine and a first-generation college student, she is driven by her family and the responsibility of setting an example. With a background in community health, she developed a passion for advocating for safer work environments and helping individuals continue providing for their families.
Born and raised in the islands, she values family and community and strives to be part of the solution through her work in safety. She hopes to expand her knowledge into the roofing industry while supporting her stepfather’s business. This scholarship will support her continued growth and inspire her siblings to believe that anything is possible through hard work and determination.
Native Hawaiian Cultural
Recipient: Baylee Goeas Galdeira
Baylee Goeas Galdeira is an undergraduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa entering her senior year, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Hawaiian Studies. She is from Kāneʻohe on Oʻahu and is passionate about advocating for the preservation and advancement of Hawaiian culture, its people, and ʻāina, while helping to perpetuate the use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in everyday life.
Baylee is deeply committed to learning how to meaningfully support Hawaiʻi communities and Native Hawaiian people through education, advocacy, and service. With aspirations of pursuing a career in law, she hopes to use her education and future experiences to advocate for Hawaiʻi’s future and contribute to the growth and well-being of the lāhui. Through her studies and community-centered values, Baylee strives to make a positive and lasting impact on future generations.
Marine Stewardship
Recipient: Kiora Rosario
Kiora Rosario is an aspiring Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and young marine conservationist. With a passion for helping animals and protecting the environment, Kiora has completed numerous projects in environmental and animal science. Her most recent research examines Fibropapillomatosis, a tumor-causing disease in sea turtles, and its correlation with water pollution. This project earned her third place in the Microbiology category at the Hawaiʻi State Science and Engineering Fair and was made possible through the Kilo Kai Marine Science Program, a free, place-based, college-level marine science course for Oʻahu high school students, where Kiora serves as a student mentor. Kiora hopes to continue her conservation work as she pursues a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and eventually a Ph.D. She has also presented at Imi Wai Ola, an annual statewide student science conference held at NOAA laboratories, where she encourages younger students to pursue STEM-based solutions for environmental challenges. From revitalizing coral reefs and improving water quality to advancing animal health research, Kiora’s work reflects her vision of a healthier, more sustainable Hawaiʻi for future generations.
2025
Community Activism Scholarship
Recipient: Gizelle Rodrigues
Gizelle Rodrigues is a Political Science major minoring in Sociology and Native Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Driven by a deep kuleana (responsibility) to advocate for their Native Hawaiian community, Gizelle is preparing to attend law school to become a changemaker in civic engagement, homelessness, and mental health. Her academic focus equips her with the political, social, and cultural knowledge to tackle systemic issues with empathy and action. As the founder of Ka Leo O Nā Ali‘i, a student-led nonpartisan civic engagement club, and a member of the Hawai‘i State Youth Commission, Gizelle is already creating opportunities for youth, particularly on Maui, to learn how to participate in government and advocate for local issues. The scholarship will offer Gizelle the support she needs to further her studies and community initiatives, while also helping her expand efforts to amplify young voices and create a future grounded in justice and equity.
Hawai’i Tradesman Scholarship
Recipient: Josiah Luaifoa
Josiah Luaifoa is pursuing a career in the skilled trades to become a general contractor. Driven by a lifelong passion for building and a strong sense of responsibility to his family, he is developing the technical and mental discipline required for carpentry and construction. Josiah’s experience includes serving as a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist in the Army National Guard and working on weekend side jobs with his uncle. His ultimate goal is to start his own contracting business and return to Samoa to build a retirement home for his parents, honoring the sacrifices they made for his future. This scholarship will support Josiah in completing his training and pursuing internships that will help him grow professionally and give back to his family and community.
Marine Stewardship Scholarship
Recipient: Logan Turick
Logan Turick is a passionate environmental science student focusing on sustainability, currently pursuing a STEM degree centered on creating a cleaner, more sustainable future. Deeply concerned about plastic pollution in Waikīkī and along global coastlines, Logan is researching innovative solutions like bioremediation—using safe bacteria to break down plastic at a molecular level. He aims to join a state-funded scientific research team or lead efforts in combating coastal pollution through applied science. Recognized by the State of Hawai‘i for his forest fire mitigation work, Logan demonstrates an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. For him, the ocean is more than a passion— his lifestyle, livelihood, and therapy. This scholarship would support completing his degree, allowing him to continue his research and protect the natural world that has given him so much.
Native Hawaiian Cultural Scholarship
Recipient: Koa Chang
Koa Chang is a Native Hawaiian computer science student at Stanford University dedicated to uplifting his community through innovation and education. He founded KumuBot (kumubot.com), an AI-powered platform designed to revitalize the Hawaiian language and culture through interactive tools like a Hawaiian language chatbot, word games, and culturally inspired art generation. With over 200 monthly users, KumuBot has become a growing resource in classrooms and homes across Hawai‘i. Koa’s passion for accessible education also led him to serve as a Teach for America Ignite Fellow, where he created engaging STEM-based lessons for students at Mākaha Elementary. At Stanford, he leads as President of the American Indigenous Science and Engineering Society (AISES) chapter, helping Native students thrive in STEM. With a deep commitment to giving back, Koa plans to return home after graduation to build educational and technological opportunities for future generations in Hawai‘i.