First recipients of the OHA Kāpili Pū scholarship for Native Hawaiians are recognized for their accomplishments in the Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training program at the Building Industry Association of Hawai'i's general membership dinner meeting in January. From left are: OHA Education Hale staff member Kalani Akana, students Kyle Unciano, Kirkwood Manoha, Dayna Lovell, Derrick Galindo, Ezra Matsushige, Daryllyn Gandaoli, Joyce Elaban-Unciano, and OHA Education Hale Director Hau'oli Akaka. - Photo: Courtesy of Donna Ho

By Lisa Asato / OHA Public Information Specialist

This time last year Lipoa Kahaleuahi was the student body president and a 4.0 student athlete at Hāna High School. Today, she's a freshman at the University of California, Santa Barbara, thanks to a prestigious Gates Millennium scholarship that will pay for her entire undergraduate education.

"The application was sort of a long process, but it not only helped me to realize the accomplishments that I already made, it helped me to be more determined, and it greatly helps me now because without it I wouldn't be able to go to college," said Kahaleuahi, a member of her school's surf team and Polynesian dance club.

Kahaleuahi said she is the second Gates scholarship recipient from Hāna in several years, and her East Maui community showered her with congratulations. "It was amazing to have that support, and it helped me further realize how special and amazing this opportunity and this help was," said Kahaleuahi, who was nominated by her counselor, Moani Aiona.

Scholarship applications for post-high school studies are now being accepted for the coming school year, and because many deadlines are in early March, it's important to get started now, said Rona Kekauoha, scholarship officer for Hawai'i Community Foundation, which administers more than 150 scholarship funds. "I just know based on history and past trends that finances are a huge barrier for Native Hawaiians to go to school," she said. "There are funds out there. … Most scholarships will ask for some type of recommendation or personal statement. They've got to do a little bit of work, but it's so worth it when they receive something."

Gates Millennium Scholar Lipoa Kahaleuahi, on left, and friend Lily Howard helped their University of California, Santa Barbara surf team beat out some 10 other Southern California colleges at a January surf contest. - Photo: Courtesy of Lipoa Kahaleuahi

The foundation's web site allows students to apply for multiple scholarships using a single application. Deadline for HCF's traditional scholarships is March 1, and for vocational scholarships, July 1.

Among the $4 million in scholarships the foundation awarded last year were scholarships specifically for Native Hawaiians, including an Office of Hawaiian Affairs Scholarship Fund, which awards an average amount of $2,000 to about 110 recipients.

Pomai Fernandez, a junior at the University of Northern Colorado, received a total of four scholarships from OHA, Kamehameha Schools, Ka'iulani Home for Girls Trust and her university. The funds, she said, allowed her to quit one of her three jobs she had been working in order to pay for school. "It helps a lot," said Fernandez, adding that her family earns too much to qualify for federal grants, but too little to pay for tuition, supplies and living expenses. "Your No. 1 priority as a student should be (school) and not having to work in order to be there, so it does relieve stress in that way," she said.

For Native Hawaiian students interested in certain medical professions — doctor, nurse, social worker and others — the merit-based Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program offers full tuition, a monthly stipend and required school costs, like books. In return, the federal program requires service in a site serving Native Hawaiians, primarily in rural, undeserved areas. "The ideal candidate would be someone whose personal and professional goals line up with the intent of the scholarship, which is to bring culturally competent health care to Native Hawaiians," said Palama Lee, director of the program and a past recipient. Deadline is April 25.