May. 16, 2023
Over 60 haumāna across Kamehameha Schools’ tri-campus network are recipients of a new scholarship aimed at bringing their post-secondary dreams to life. Awards for the Poʻo Kula Scholarship range from $10,000 to $25,000 and is limited to a specified period of four academic years within six years of a student’s graduation from KS. To be eligible for the scholarship, haumāna must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree and enrolled full-time at their respective institution.
Select awardees from each campus share their inspiring stories, the impact of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi's legacy, and how their experiences as students of Kamehameha Schools have shaped their paths towards a brighter future. Read their complete responses here.
Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi
Ciana-Lei Bence | Yale University
Yale University welcomes Ciana-Lei Bence in the fall, an institution she chose for its liberal arts curriculum which allows her to pursue her interests in both STEM and the arts and humanities. Bence plans to study astrophysics, specifically cosmology. While Bence’s parents have some college experience and brother is currently a student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, she will be the first in her family to attend college outside of Hawaiʻi.
Napualaiku Ho | Temple University, Japan Campus
The Poʻo Kula Scholarship holds immense significance for Napua and her ʻohana as it removes financial barriers, allowing her to pursue her goals and education abroad without worries. She has chosen to attend Temple University's Japan Campus to strengthen her cultural connections and exchange knowledge with others, bringing perspectives from Kamehameha Schools and her Hawaiian upbringing.
Kamehameha Schools Maui
Jayna Kanoholani | Columbia University
A first-generation college student, Jayna Kanoholani encourages fellow haumāna to cherish their time at KS and appreciate the enduring impact of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi's legacy. She eagerly anticipates attending Columbia University, drawn by the unique core curriculum and the chance to utilize the campus's utopia within the city.
Faith “Aloha” Paredes | Dartmouth College
Faith "Aloha" Paredes shares her appreciation for the Poʻo Kula Scholarship, emphasizing her plans to study biological sciences and cultural anthropology at Dartmouth College. Paredes would like to mahalo KS Maui kumu Henohea Kāne for inspiring her confidence as a Native Hawaiian and hula practitioner.
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
Matthew Liu | Johns Hopkins University
With the Poʻo Kula Scholarship, Matthew Liu shares that he can fully dedicate himself to college and make his supporters proud. At Johns Hopkins, he looks forward to creating his own path and being the first KS Kapālama student in years to attend the university. Liu chose Johns Hopkins because of its reputation for pre-med education and its strong focus on the medical field, which aligns with his lifelong aspiration of becoming a radiologist.
Emi Shigekane | Yale University
Emi Shigekane is grateful for the support from Kamehameha Schools and sees the Poʻo Kula Scholarship as a testament to the belief in her potential. At Yale, Shigekane is looking forward to the world-class professors, educational opportunities, and the campus' beauty. She chose Yale for its commitment to diversity and providing a platform for various perspectives.