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Ho'omau Foundation's scholarship program supports Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) attending vocational school, 2 year o 4 year college and are active in the NHPI community, through mentorship and networking opportunities. Through our support for both academic success and the perpetuation of culture, we will help recipients succeed in their endeavors while maintaining and growing their cultural ties and identity. We aim to support their transition to vocational school or college, nurture their cultural identity, and ensure they, along with more NHPIs, have opportunities and representation in prestigious fields.
We are excited to announce that we are awarding fourteen scholarships for the school year 2025-2026! We are renewing scholarships for eight returning students and awarding six to new recipients. In total, we've awarded fifty-nine scholarships in six academic years.
Our Recipients are receiving the Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarship for demonstrating dedication to perpetuate the NHPI culture, entrepreneurship, perseverance, and aloha.
Maming Bacxa
Maming is entering her freshman year at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, where she will be studying Biology with her long term goal of going into Cardiology. Raised in the heart of Hawaiian culture, Maming grew up dancing hula and learning her native language. Leaving the islands to pursue her education was a bittersweet decision, as it meant leaving behind a piece of her heritage. However, her leadership instincts have already kicked in—she’s begun laying the foundation for a Polynesian club on campus, even before her first day there.
During her time in high school on Hawai'i Island, she served as the Junior Class President and Student Body President her junior and senior years. She was also involved in her school's Polynesian Club, acting as a Teacher's Assistant to over 250 students. There, she learned to love other cultural dances -- from Samoan, Tongan, an Tahitian-- her love for her Polynesian roots and values have once again guided her to her lifetime goal -- to use her medical career not only to heal but also to educate and inspire others to honor, respect, and explore Polynesian culture. She believes in the power of representation and cultural pride in all spaces — especially in medicine and academia.
Maming is deeply involved in her community and church. She has served as an Altar Server and sung in the choir. Inspired by her mother, she developed a passion for helping others—whether feeding the homeless in transitional housing or handing out bentos on the streets. Grateful for the opportunities she’s had, Maming is committed to giving back to the community that has given her so much.
With determination and heart, Maming is committed to breaking barriers and serving as a pillar of excellence and inspiration for her Indigenous peers.
Kailena Akau
Kailena is entering her senior year at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, where she is majoring in Hawaiian Studies. She is already living her dream by giving back to her community—volunteering at an immersion school where she teaches and speaks ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, helping to perpetuate the language that has shaped her own journey.
Her goal is to become a Hawaiian language teacher, inspiring the next generation of students to love and embrace their language, just as she was inspired during her own school experience.
A passionate cultural practitioner, Kailena is also a hula dancer who has performed at the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival. She has represented Hawai‘i internationally, traveling to Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Japan, where she shared Native Hawaiian culture while learning about the traditions of others.
Frances Fakasiieki
Frances is entering her Sophomore year at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, where she will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing. A natural leader, Frances has been deeply involved in multicultural and Pacific Islander student organizations, serving as a public relations officer, historian, and event organizer. In high school, she and her brother co-founded the school’s first multicultural club, dedicated to uplifting Indigenous and communities of color.
Frances is passionate about fair trade and envisions bringing equitable, culturally rooted business practices to Pacific Islander communities. Her goal is to source quality goods and make opportunities more accessible, while creating platforms that help Pacific Islanders share their stories, products, and experiences with a broader audience.
She remains grounded in her Tongan heritage and is committed to using her education as a way to uplift her community, preserve her culture, and serve as a mentor to future generations.
Kaiya-Juliette Kapaku
Kaiya is entering her junior year at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she is double majoring in Entrepreneurship and Hawaiian Language. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in family law, where she can advocate for the rights, well-being, and empowerment of Native Hawaiian families.
Inspired by her own family’s legacy of coaching, Kaiya is following in their footsteps by coaching for two soccer clubs, using sports as a platform to teach leadership, discipline, and cultural values. She has a natural gift for weaving Hawaiian perspectives into every role she takes on, whether on the field or in the classroom.
Kaiya is also deeply engaged in service. She volunteers at a local food pantry and has consistently advocated for Native Hawaiian communities, both during high school and now at UH Mānoa. Her commitment to uplifting others and creating systemic change is at the heart of everything she does.
Ka’iulani Bento
Ka‘iulani is entering her senior year at the University of Southern California, where she is majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Legal Studies. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in family or conservation law, where she can use her skills to advocate for justice and equity.
Guided by her commitment to service and justice, Ka‘iulani works with the judiciary branch, leads efforts to support students through her campus food pantry, and launched an educational website on shoreline access laws in Hawai‘i. She is passionate about standing up for Native Hawaiian communities, who have historically faced discrimination and barriers to legal support.
Ka‘iulani hopes to become a bridge between complex legal systems and the everyday needs of local families — working to make the law more accessible, understandable, and empowering for those back home.
Lehiwa Keo
Lehiwa is excited to begin her freshman year at Brigham Young University, where she will major in Business Administration with a minor in Legal Studies. Deeply rooted in her Native Hawaiian heritage, Lehiwa’s passion for the Hawaiian language began through her immersion school education and continues to grow through her love of ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, hula, and music.
Lehiwa is a dedicated volunteer at a local preservation site, where she beautifully integrates scientific inquiry with cultural knowledge—exemplifying a holistic approach to environmental stewardship. A natural leader and educator, she mentors others in cultural practices, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, land, culture, and native species in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Lehiwa hopes to either create or be part of a nonprofit organization that supports Native Hawaiian small businesses in Hawai‘i. Her mission is to empower others through mentorship, financial literacy, and culturally grounded business development, helping Native Hawaiian communities grow and thrive for generations to come.
Returning Recipients
Koa Chang
Koa is entering his junior year at Stanford University, where he is majoring in Computer Science. A passionate advocate for STEM education and a dedicated mentor, Koa is driven by a mission to democratize access to education and resources, especially for underserved communities.
He launched WorksheetWizz, an open-source tutoring website offering free, downloadable worksheets that empower students with internet access to learn independently. These resources also support his ongoing tutoring sessions and are freely available to anyone in need.
Koa is also the creator of Kumubot, an innovative AI-powered platform designed to bridge gaps in cultural and linguistic education. Kumubot hosts a growing suite of tools that embrace and uplift the Hawaiian language and culture, and Koa continues to expand and enhance its capabilities.
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to community, Koa is actively working to close the educational resource gap for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders—paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future in education.
Tehani Kekuawela
Tehani is entering her sophomore year at Chapman University in California, where she is majoring in Theater Performance. Deeply passionate about her Native Hawaiian heritage, Tehani is committed to bringing her culture to the stage and screen—using storytelling as a powerful tool to foster education, pride, and appreciation for Hawai‘i’s rich traditions.
She has already performed on an international stage, showcasing her talent in the Hawaiian rock opera Pai‘ea in Scotland—a groundbreaking production that blends historical narratives with modern interpretations. At Chapman, Tehani continues to shine in lead roles, earning recognition for both her artistry and cultural voice.
While in high school, Tehani founded the ‘Āina Keiki Club, a community initiative that connects youth with the land to promote environmental sustainability, cultural identity, and well-being. The club continues to thrive and reflects her commitment to building a stronger future through education, art, and aloha.
Jada Lee
Jada is entering her junior year at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Society and Environment. She is deeply committed to advancing equitable education and affordable housing for Native Hawaiian communities, with aspirations to take on a leadership role in a nonprofit organization after graduation.
At UC Berkeley, Jada co-led the redesign of an elective course focused on Native Hawaiian curriculum, now entering its third successful year. The course emphasizes moʻolelo (storytelling), Hawaiian culture, and language—helping bridge the cultural gap for students raised outside of Hawaiʻi who seek to reconnect with their roots.
Beyond the classroom, Jada created NativeDiscover.com, a digital database of native Hawaiian plants and animals, used as a learning tool at both the university and a local elementary summer camp on Oʻahu. She also launched the Kulia Project, making it easier for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students to access academic opportunities and financial support. This summer, Jada returned home as a Curriculum Intern and supported the Social Emotional Learning curricula. continuing her hands-on commitment to education and community empowerment.
Jada’s work is a powerful reflection of her passion for cultural preservation, education, and systemic change. Through her innovative projects and leadership, she continues to uplift Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities while shaping a more informed and equitable future.
Ilihia Pohano
Ilihia is entering her sophomore year at the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Media. Already immersed in her dream career, she is currently working at ʻŌiwi TV and has directed productions for ʻŌlelo Community Media, using film as a powerful platform to celebrate and uplift Native Hawaiian culture. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to bringing these stories to the big screen, amplifying Native Hawaiian voices and pride.
Ilihia is passionate about storytelling, grounded in the values of aloha, tradition, and community. Through her films and leadership, she is committed to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of her people—ensuring that Native Hawaiian stories continue to thrive for generations to come.
Kawika Naweli
Kawika is a junior at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, majoring in Computer Science. He is passionate about using technology as a force for good—particularly in environmental conservation and addressing socio-economic disparities within Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Kawika envisions Hawai‘i as a future tech hub, where local talent can thrive, innovate, and build meaningful careers while staying rooted in their home communities.
In addition to his academic work, Kawika is gaining hands-on experience as a tech intern and remains actively involved in community projects. His innovative mindset shines through in creations like Hawaiian Wordle—a digital game that merges the beauty of the Hawaiian language with modern technology, offering a playful yet powerful tool for cultural engagement.
Through his work, Kawika is bridging cultural heritage with technological innovation, driven by a vision to build a Hawai‘i where both culture and community thrive in the digital age.
Christina Young
Christina is a PhD candidate in the Nutritional Sciences program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, currently in the data collection and analysis stage for her dissertation. Her research explores how the pae ʻāina (Hawaiian archipelago) can serve as a puʻuhonua (safe haven) for hānai waiū (breastfeeding) practices among Kānaka ʻŌiwi wāhine (Native Hawaiian women). Through this work, Christina uplifts traditional knowledge and aims to reclaim and normalize Indigenous practices for infant feeding.
Following graduation, Christina hopes to pursue a career in education and research focused on improving dietary choices and health outcomes for Indigenous communities, with an emphasis on integrating traditional foods and practices with national nutrition guidelines.
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Lactation Counselor, Christina brings both clinical expertise and cultural grounding to her work. She volunteers with a community-based organization that cultivates staple foods to support local food security, and she also contributes to policy and nutrition programming for a Native Hawaiian health organization.
Christina’s dedication to weaving cultural traditions with evidence-based nutrition makes her an advocate for holistic health and a vital asset to the lāhui (Native Hawaiian community).
Carly Rose Raquino
Carly is entering her junior year in the Nursing Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she was directly admitted as a freshman—a testament to her academic strength and dedication. Balancing the rigorous demands of nursing school, Carly remains committed to integrating ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) and traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices into modern healthcare settings.
With a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility), Carly aspires to focus her nursing career on addressing homelessness, advocating for marginalized individuals, and confronting the health disparities that disproportionately affect underserved communities across Hawai‘i.
Through her work, Carly is dedicated to advancing healing, cultural empowerment, and equitable care for the people of Hawai‘i—bringing compassion, cultural understanding, and clinical excellence to the forefront of healthcare.
Mahina Silva
Mahina is a senior at Menlo College in California, majoring in Finance with a concentration in Accounting. Fluent in Hawaiian, she is passionate about blending her cultural heritage with her financial expertise to support organizations serving Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Mahina has already made a meaningful impact by providing financial advice to friends and family, drawing strength and confidence from the knowledge she’s gained through her studies and internship.
While she recognizes there is always more to learn, Mahina is energized by the positive difference her education is making within her community. She plans to remain in the Bay Area after graduation to continue building her career and contributing locally.
Outside the classroom, Mahina is a dedicated athlete and proud member of the Menlo College volleyball team, competing in the GSAC conference.
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