HAWAI‘I ISLAND – Thanks to an anonymous donor, West Hawai‘i Island students pursuing marine sciences at the new Hawai'i Community College – Pālamanui campus now have more scholarship support. A $50,000 gift established the West Hawai‘i Marine Science Endowed Scholarship.
This scholarship will support undergraduate students enrolled in the Marine Science degree program at the Hawai‘i CC - Pālamanui campus. Until the Pālamanui campus Marine Science program is officially approved by the Board of Regents, students enrolled in the Natural Science program at the Hawai‘i CC - Pālamanui campus are eligible. Preference will be given to West Hawai‘i residents who are/have been active in Native Hawaiian cultural activities and groups including language, hula, ancient trail restoration work, fishing practices and more, who are also active in their community and performing well academically.
“We are very grateful for this generous endowed scholarship that will support West Hawai‘i students engaged in the marine sciences. “It is critically important for us to move forward in marine sciences as we educate and prepare students to be employed in an area that has such great impact on all of us who live on the Big Island,” she concluded.
- Noreen Yamane, Hawai‘i Community College Chancellor
Dr. Kenneth "Marty" Fletcher, director of the University of Hawai‘i Center at West Hawai‘i added, “With the Pālamanui Campus now in place, we can lift West Hawai‘i from having the lowest college going rate in the State of Hawai‘i.” Fletcher continued, “Our students are in critical need of scholarships to stay in college and continue their educational journey. Marine science is a driver of West Hawai‘i's economy and this scholarship will help our students be part of this momentum. Endowing this scholarship to support local young people on marine science career paths is visionary.”
“This is a wonderful example of a private donor recognizing a need and an opportunity, and partnering with us to bring about real change for our students and our community. We are most grateful.”
- Donna Vuchinich, University of Hawai‘i Foundation President and CEO
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The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. The mission of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is to unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations www.uhfoundation.org.
