The University of Hawai‘i Community College was awarded a $500,000 gift by the Native Hawaiian Organization Alaka‘ina Foundation to establish a new scholarship.
The Alaka‘ina Foundation UH Community College Technical Education Scholarship will assist full- and part-time undergraduate students seeking a certificate or degree in vocational/technical education studies at any of the University of Hawai’i System’s seven community colleges, according to a University of Hawai‘i Foundation release.
This donation adds to the Alaka‘ina Foundation’s positive impact on the university system. In 2018, the foundation donated more than $250,000 to Kaua’i Community College programs, including the Alaka‘ina Foundation Engineering Scholarship for pre-engineering students who will transfer from Kaua‘i to UH Mānoa, the Kaua‘i Community College Innovation Center and the Kaua‘i Community College Cognition Learning Center (COGS) Fund.
“We are most grateful to the Alaka‘ina Foundation for their ongoing partnership and generous support,” said John Morton, vice president for community colleges at University of Hawai’i. “Through their strategic philanthropy, they are helping build stronger communities by ensuring our residents can afford the education and training they need to succeed in the dynamic workforce of today. Hawai‘i’s economic health depends on having a strong pool of well-trained employees ready to work.”
Founded in 2004, the Alaka‘ina Foundation is a nonprofit Native Hawaiian Organization that offers programs in innovative educational projects, scholarships and internships, teacher enrichment initiatives and organization and community programs support.
“Alaka‘ina in Hawaiian means “leadership” and our mission at the Alaka‘ina Foundation is to build and promote leadership and education initiatives for “na pua o Hawai‘i,” or the youth of Hawai‘i,” said Alaka‘ina Foundation executive director Philip Kahue.
“Our goal is to develop a new generation of leaders, especially among those who live in rural areas, who have the aptitude, attitude and vision to lead our communities and our nation in the future. We are excited to partner with UH to help nurture this next generation.”
