OKK Awards: 2026 Scholarships
By Laura Stocker
The price of sending a student to college or university today is expensive and beyond the reach of many families. Fortunately for some, scholarships help defray some of the costs. Seeing the need and wanting their children to have the best opportunity to succeed, the ‘O Kaʻū Kākou in Kaʻū formed to fill that need and awarded its first scholarships in 2011. OKK since has awarded more than $60,000 in total scholarships to Kaʻū students.
OKK recently announced the 26 students to receive scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. Awards from $500 to $2,000 were given to help with tuition and other expenses. The scholarship winners are: Angelica Bivings, Dedrick Souza, Fierra Roberts, Jacelyn Jara, Jazalle Amps, Joliann Luther, Lexi Manila-Louis, Tancy David, Triton Blanco, Chairmane Rosario, Edward Wirtz, Heather Naboa, Janeea Bonoan, Jazmyn Navarro, Kaui Young, Nalani Blanco-Louis, Trael Pesnell, Vladimir Fedoruk, Cheydon Kaluahine-Salmo, Ezekiel Kaawa-Kamimura, Iolana Naboa, Jasmin Sanchez, Johannah Libby, Laci Ah Yee, Owen Flores, and Trinity Sheldon-Baji.
Each applicant went through a rigorous qualifying process that included a four-page application listing their civic volunteer work, extracurricular activities, awards and achievements, and job histories. Each candidate was also required to submit two recommendation letters, scholastic transcripts, and two essays about their career goals and volunteer experience. The last requirement was to include the applicant’s long-term plan to contribute to improving life in the Kaʻū District.
Past and current recipients expressed their gratitude to the OKK in letters.
“Receiving the ‘O Kaʻū Kākou scholarship is a tremendous honor for me, and I am truly grateful for the opportunities it will provide,” Lexi Manila-Louis wrote in a letter to OKK. “This scholarship represents not just financial support, but also the belief and encouragement from all of you that motivates me to strive for my goals.”
Cheydon Kaluahine-Salmo was happy with the award: “The scholarship I received from OKK helped me to make it through my first semester of college very smoothly and without too much worry,” Kaluahine-Salmo wrote. “I am grateful for the help I will receive in my second semester and am thankful for the work you amazing people do for our community.”
Nalani Blanco-Louis also thanked the OKK committee. Blanco-Louis wrote that she struggled a lot during her first semester and added that her financial stress could’ve been worse without her scholarship.
Blanco-Louis added that she was particularly grateful for the opportunity to help with some residents’ pets and livestock or any other needs after seeing them “struggle and suffer with over the 18 years I’ve been here in Pāhala,” she wrote. “I’d also like to thank you for giving me the chance to come back to my community to offer my services and help.”
Janeea Bonoan also wrote that her scholarship helped with books and electronics that made her studies “flow easier.”
“Your contribution is greatly appreciated as it allows me to continue my education,” she wrote. “You guys have helped me get one step closer to my goal.”
OKK raised more than $25,000 for the 2025-2026 school year scholarships through fundraising that included last year’s Kaʻū Taro Festival, Kāniwala Kalo O Kaʻū and many private donations. The group plans to continue its fundraising for the 2026-2027 school year at the second annual Kaʻū Taro Festival on Dec. 13 at Herkes Gymnasium complex in Pāhala. For more information about the scholarship fund or to donate, see okaukakou.org/scholarships-for-local-students.
