Napili Kai Foundation awards $32,500 in scholarships

The Napili Kai Foundation has awarded $32,500 in higher education scholarships to seven foundation graduates, Lahainaluna alumni, and Napili Kai Beach Resort employee children. The recipients are:

≤ Joanna Marie Acosta, a seven-year member/graduate of the foundation and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a sophomore majoring in accounting. She received $4,000.

≤ Robert M. Arconado, an employee child and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to UH Maui as a sophomore majoring in liberal arts and construction management. He received $3,000.

≤ Briana T. Bandy, a sevenyear member/graduate of the foundation and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to Arizona State University as a sophomore majoring in secondary education/ English. Bandy received $5,000.

≤ Kylie S. Ines, an 11-year member/graduate of the foundation and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to Washington State University as a sophomore majoring in human development. Ines received $5,000.

≤ Jaela P. Naha, a 12-year member/graduate of the foundation, and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to UH Maui as a sophomore majoring in nursing. Naha received $4,500.

≤ Tori Kaimana Tihada, a 10-year member/graduate of the foundation, and a 2018 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a junior majoring in hospitality management. Tihada received $5,000.

≤ Leah G. Werblun, a nineyear member/graduate of the foundation and a 2018 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to the University of Northern Colorado as a junior majoring in biology/pre-med. Werblun received $6,000.

The Napili Kai Foundation, now 54 years old, is the longest running weekly keiki hula show in Hawaii. The foundation offers its cultural program, free of charge, to the children of West Maui. Membership now spans generations and averages 35 with a travel troupe of 15. The keiki are taught by renown Kumu Hula Kathy Ralar, along with Kumu Kalei Jaramillo and Kumu Rance Villarimo, and perform a weekly show at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. The keiki range in age from 5-18. For membership information, contact Kumu Hula Kathy Ralar at www.napilikaifoundation.org.

In 1986, the scope of the foundation’s program was expanded by the establishment of its unique scholarship fund, which has, to date, distributed more than $260,000 in higher education scholarships to graduating keiki and alumni to help them achieve their educational and career goals.

The scholarships are funded by: the J.C. Millar Scholarship Fund, the Bert and Barbara Stubblefield Scholarship Fund, the Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope, the Felts Family Foundation, the Barbara Bunce Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Dennis Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Dean and Colleen Dwyer Scholarship Fund.