Ho'omau Foundation
is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit focused on the success and development of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt non-profit focused on the success and development of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
Our mission is to provide scholarships, mentorship, and networking opportunities to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students who are active in the NHPI community attending an accredited vocational school, 2 year or 4 year college in the US.
By combining the support for academic success and perpetuation of our culture, the foundation will help recipients succeed in their endeavors while maintaining and growing their cultural ties and identity.
We'll grant scholarships to eligible recipients, assign each recipient a mentor to help with the transition to vocational school or college, and introduce them to a growing network community to last a lifetime. By nurturing and reinforcing cultural identity while supporting academic and professional success, Ho’omau Foundation will serve, not only the recipients themselves but also the larger NHPI community that is underrepresented in most lucrative and prestigious fields.
There are more ways than ever to support our mission—choose the one that fits you best:
💰 Make a Donation
Your contribution directly funds scholarships ($1,000–$2,500) and mentorship opportunities for NHPI students pursuing higher education.
🔹 Make a one time donation
🔹 Or set up montly, quarterly or annual donations
📈 Donate Stock or Restricted Stock Options
Support our scholars with appreciated assets while receiving potential tax benefits.
🧾 Double Your Impact with Employer Matching
Many companies offer donation matching or even match volunteer hours.
🔹 Check if Your Employer Matches
🔹 Or talk to your HR department to initiate a match
📣 Become an Ambassador
Guide and inspire students through mentorship, cultural engagement, and community support.
🙌 Volunteer Your Time and Talents
Join our ʻohana behind the scenes—help with events, administration, or outreach.
Send your inquiry to admin@hoomaufoundation.org
Your donation is a 100% tax write off!
"The scholarship helps with my college tuition, but more importantly, it allows me to create new friendships with other recipients and people along the way. This scholarship will inspire and empower you to reach your goals with confidence, just like it’s doing for me." - Ilihia Pohano
"The support provided to me by the Ho'omau Foundation across my entire college career has been key to my success! It has allowed me to stay connected to my home and remain true to Hawai'i in my studies."-Ho’ohila Kawelo
"Being awarded the scholarship has allowed me to continue my studies. With the help of JoNelle and her team, my parents and I are assisted with paying for my tuition to continue studying engineering. Having a mentor means I'm connected to a working professional and I'm making familial connections with the staff and other Recipients as well! We are essentially one big Ho'omau 'ohana and I'm proud to be a part of it for the past few years". -Misimatoka Unutoa
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Hoʻomau Foundation for supporting my education journey and welcoming me into a thriving and uplifting NHPI community. It has been an honor to meet and learn from the incredible mentors and fellow students who have supported me and continue to inspire me to pursue my career goals.” - Alex Ueoka
We earned a 2025 Gold Seal of Transparency! Learn more about our organization’s impact through our #NonprofitProfile on @CandidDotOrg: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/0da5c28a-13af-4741-b90b-32b5f12f678b
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To inspire and educate the next generation of Hawaiian leaders to build a future rooted in aloha ‘āina (love for the land) and mo‘omeheu Hawai‘i (Hawaiian culture) while equipping them with modern skills in STEM, coding, design, and business innovation.
Keywords: Scholarships for Polynesians Scholarships for Pacific Islanders, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, college scholarships for Pacific Islanders, vocational scholarships for Pacific Islanders, first generation college student, #PacificIslandersGoToCollege #NHPIsGoToCollege #NativeHawaiians