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

 

2022 Scholarship recipient, Bryan Pontanilla, is completing his fourth year at Portland State University, majoring in Accounting. Here is a word from Bryan:

“This school year brought me home to Maui as a college senior working to complete my degree online. As I mentioned in my 2025 update, I changed my major from Architecture to Accounting, and now it has changed once more. I am still in the School of Business, but I will now graduate in the spring of 2027 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and minors in Architecture and Accounting. Even with these changes, my focus remains on my island home of Maui and helping its people.

I started a new job at Hawaiian Electric Company on Maui in February 2026 to do just that. This is the story of how it all happened. I was originally searching for a summer internship when I came across another listing on their website and thought it might be a good fit for me. The position was for a full-time Planner Aide. After reviewing the requirements, including skills I learned while studying architecture, such as reading and creating plans and blueprints, along with accounting-related skills, especially proficiency in Excel, I thought I should apply.

I felt I could do both: finish my degree part-time, with just eight classes remaining, and begin a career with an amazing local company like Hawaiian Electric. So, I applied, passed the written and hands-on tests, interviewed, and started about a month later. I began as a Planner Aide and have since been promoted to Junior Customer Planner. I am so grateful!

As I mentioned, my job is a combination of both Architecture and Business, which makes me feel like everything I have learned, and continue to learn, in college is being put to good use. Some of my responsibilities include communicating with customers to help design the path to their electrical service. If additional electrical poles need to be added to connect their service, I also help design those solutions. My finance skills are also being put to good use, as I need to determine the most cost-effective electrical design solutions for each customer. New homes are being built in several areas across our island, including the Hawaiian Homes subdivision in Waikapū and the rebuilding efforts in Lahaina, so it is very important work.

In closing, I want to express how thankful I am to be a Paubox Kahikina Scholar. Through this scholarship, many thousands of dollars have been awarded to Native Hawaiian students because of the generosity and vision of Mr. Greevy. So far, sixty-two of us have had the honor of receiving this recurring scholarship, as well as attending events such as the annual winter networking event, where we are able to meet and build connections with leaders in our community. I do not know of any other scholarship program in our state that offers opportunities like this, and I am so proud and honored to be a part of it.”

Read more: Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Reflection | Bryan Pontanilla