The Paubox Kahikina Scholarship helps Native Hawaiian students pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Tech in general. Its purpose is to offer financial support and create a strong network for these students. The scholarship makes education more affordable and connects students with professionals, giving them valuable opportunities to learn and grow in their chosen STEM or Tech fields. This scholarship is about more than just money; it's about building a community and empowering Native Hawaiian students to succeed in STEM or Tech careers.
See also: The big ideas behind the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Violet Mossman is a recent graduate of Kamehameha Schools. This fall, she begins her journey at UC Berkeley studying Molecular and Cell Biology on a pre-med track, with a mission to become an oncologist and address the critical shortage of medical specialists in Hawaii. Here is a word from Violet:
"My name is Violet Mossman, and I am honored to be a 2025 recipient of the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship. I was born and raised on Maui and recently graduated from Kamehameha Schools. This fall, I will be starting my freshman year at the University of California, Berkeley, where I plan to study Molecular and Cell Biology with a pre-med track.
I’ve always known I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and my interest deepened through my involvement in my high school’s HOSA chapter and student athletic training aid club. These experiences exposed me to a wide range of healthcare roles, provided leadership opportunities, and equipped me with knowledge that has guided me to where I am today.
During my junior year of high school, I decided on the specific career I wanted to pursue. That summer, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. After his diagnosis, we were told that the earliest available oncologist appointment was more than a month away. This was extremely worrisome, and my grandfather’s health was only getting worse by the day. Fortunately, an earlier appointment opened up, and he was able to receive the care he needed.
Although the experience was incredibly stressful, it opened my eyes to the extreme lack of medical specialists in Hawaii and has since inspired my journey to becoming an oncologist. My family was fortunate, but many others are not. No one should have to wait weeks or longer for life saving care.
This experience inspired my goal of becoming an oncologist. My intentions behind this being that I can return home and serve my people the healthcare that they need and deserve. I hope that other Native Hawaiians with similar passions to mine are also able to recognize a community need and work towards being a part of the solution.
That is why I am so grateful for the aid provided by the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship. It will serve a vital role in this next chapter of my life, helping me move closer to achieving my goal.
Mahalo nui."
Read: Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship 2025 Update | Violet Mossman