Whether you are a traditional college student, just out of high school, or a non-traditional student returning back to school, the Mānaiakalani Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to give college a try. The Fall cohort class teaches college success skills and Hawaiian culture and helps to acclimate students to the college environment. Students create lasting friendships and build support systems that help them through the challenges that can arise as a busy college student. You can read some of our success stories below.
Cierra Pagaduan-Chow
2016-2017 cohort
“As one of the first Mānaiakalani scholarship recipients and graduates, this program has truly paved the way for me to succeed in college and in life. Coming from a low-income family and background, I could not afford to pay for college on my own. The Mānaiakalani scholarship program gave me the opportunity to attend college without worrying about any financial burdens. The financial and moral support from this program is something that I wish for everyone because I understand how difficult and challenging it is to not have any of those support systems. I wouldn't have graduated with two Associateʻs Degree and a Bachelorʻs Degree in Business Marketing through the University of Hawai'i West O'ahu without the Mānaiakalani scholarship. My hope is that this scholarship and program can do the same for others as it did for me.”