A $1.5 million gift from the Kaneta Foundation will expand the Lunalilo Scholars Program at Kapiʻolani Community College, enabling more students to access higher education and comprehensive wraparound support. Marian and Lester Kaneta have also pledged continued support, ensuring the program reaches more than 1,000 students by 2027.
“When we started the program, I wasn’t as optimistic as Lester,” said Marian Kaneta. “I had my reservations at first. As I listened to that first cohort’s family stories and the hardships they’d endured, it was clear these were individuals living on the very edges of society – some just barely getting by.”
Now in its 14th year, the Lunalilo Scholars Program has grown from its initial cohort of 22 students to an average of 70-80 participants per year. More than 900 scholars have now completed the program, demonstrating higher retention and graduation rates than comparable student groups.
“The Lunalilo Scholars Program is more than a financial aid scholarship,” said Lester Kaneta. “The program creates pathways to success for promising students from financially vulnerable backgrounds.”
Centered on identity and community, the program helps students transition to college through its Summer Bridge Program, which builds academic readiness and a strong sense of community. Scholars begin college as part of a cohort, guided by peer mentors who provide academic and personal support throughout the year. Those who continue into their second year can become mentors themselves, giving back to the program while developing leadership and life skills that extend beyond college.
“The Lunalilo Scholars Program opened doors I didn’t know was possible,” said Kapilialoha Ridder, a fourth-cohort scholar now pursuing an MBA and working at Chaminade University. “Beyond the scholarship, Lunalilo provided a community that helped me build confidence and lasting friendships – support that truly shaped my journey through college and beyond.”
The Kanetas believe that the strength and bonds that fellow Lunalilo Scholars develop create a lasting foundation of support, encouragement and shared purpose that extends far beyond their time in the program.
“The Lunalilo Scholars Program reflects the best of who we are as a community,” said Kapiʻolani Community College Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi. “Rooted in Native Hawaiian values, it gives students the guidance and sense of belonging they need to succeed in college and beyond. Through mentorship and shared experience, our scholars learn not only to achieve their goals but to lift others as they rise.”
FOR UH • FOR HAWAIʻI, The Campaign for the University of Hawaiʻi, is focused on raising $1 billion to support UH priorities on all 10 campuses across the state, including student success; research that matters; kuleana to Native Hawaiians and Hawaiʻi; sustainability, resilience and conservation; innovation and entrepreneurship; building Hawaiʻi’s workforce; and engaging our community. Learn more at uhfoundation.org/4UH4HI
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The University of Hawai‘i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. The mission of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawai‘i and our future generations. uhfoundation.org
