Hoʻomau Foundation Announces 2026-2027 Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarship Recipients

Nonprofit awards 19 scholarships to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, bringing seven-year total to 78 scholarships awarded to 37 students 

By Ho'omau Foundation

The Hoʻomau Foundation announces the 2026-2027 recipients of the Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarship, awarding a total of 19 scholarships to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students pursuing higher education. This year's cohort includes 8 new recipients and 11 returning recipients, continuing the Foundation's mission of investing in the next generation of NHPI leaders.

Since the program's founding in 2020, the Hoʻomau Foundation has awarded 78 scholarships to 37 students over seven academic years, supporting scholars in fields including education, healthcare, computer science, technology, public service, culture, and the arts.

About the 2026-2027 Recipients

This year's scholars are pursuing degrees across a wide range of disciplines and institutions, from vocational and technical training to graduate study, including nursing, computer science, public health, public policy, communications, Hawaiian language education, nutritional science, engineering, and the arts. Many recipients are also active cultural practitioners and community leaders- among them Kumu Hula, Merrie Monarch Festival performers, filmmakers, and founders of youth mentorship and cultural preservation initiatives.

New Recipients:

• Bella Amey - University of California, Berkeley (Media Studies)

• Haylie Tuiasosopo - University of Arizona (Communication)

• Ranell Sioloa - Southern New Hampshire University (Business)

• Matalasi Pascua - California State University, Long Beach (Sociology)

• Macalum Araneta - Walla Walla University (Civil Engineering)

• Anora Lee - University of Southern California (Public Policy)

• Chance Flavin-Kahoʻokaulana - WyoTech (Diesel Technology)

• Samantha "Sami" Birmingham-Babauta, MPH - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Public Health, PhD)

Returning Recipients:

• Maming Bacxa - Tulane University (Biology)

• Kailena Akau - University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (Hawaiian Language Teacher Education)

• Frances Fakasiieki - Whitworth University (Communications)

• Lehiwa Keo - Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Studies)

• Koa Chang - Stanford University (Computer Science)

• Tehani Kekuawela - Chapman University (Theater Performance)

• Jada Lee - San Francisco State University (Instructional Design, M.S.)

• Ilihia Pohano - University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu (Creative Media)

• Kawika Naweli - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Computer Science)

• Christina Young - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Nutritional Sciences, PhD)

• Carly Rose Raquino - University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Nursing)

Full biographies of all 19 recipients are available at hoomaufoundation.org/recipients.

About the Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarship

The Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarship supports Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students attending vocational school, two-year, and four-year colleges who are active in the NHPI community. Recipients are selected for demonstrating dedication to perpetuating NHPI culture, entrepreneurship, perseverance, and aloha. Beyond financial support, the Hoʻomau Foundation provides mentorship and networking opportunities to help recipients succeed academically while strengthening their cultural identity and ties.

About the Hoʻomau Foundation

The Hoʻomau Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students through scholarship, mentorship, and community. Since 2020, the Foundation has awarded 78 scholarships to 37 students, helping build a growing ʻohana of scholars, ambassadors, and mentors who give back to their communities. The Foundation is grateful to its donors, sponsors, and partners whose support makes this work possible. Learn more at hoomaufoundation.org.