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

 

Christina Young is a PhD candidate in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Here is a word from Christina:

“Aloha mai kākou!

My name is Christina Young! I am a Kanaka ʻŌiwi Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Lactation Counselor pursuing my PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Mahalo nui to Hoala Greevy, the selection committee, and the Paubox ʻohana for their dedication to supporting Kānaka in STEM fields. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a recipient of the 2026 Paubox Kahikini Scholarship cohort.

I am originally from Fremont, California, and moved to Oʻahu to pursue my undergraduate education in Dietetics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. My academic journey in nutrition began with my curiosity about how diet affects health outcomes. Witnessing my own family members experiencing nutrition-related chronic diseases, I pursued my studies in hopes to help them and others. My undergraduate goal was to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), which I obtained credentials for in 2023, and pursue a Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences. During my first-year of my Master’s program, I was given the opportunity to apply to the PhD Nutritional Science program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to be a part of the Children’s Healthy Living Food Systems Training Program. Selected as the Hawaiʻi trainee, I have been fortunate enough to pair my studies with a focus on food systems in ʻāina and with community.

As a PhD candidate, my doctoral research focuses on infant feeding practices for Native Hawaiians. My interest in this work stems from undergraduate research experience working with Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino infants across Oʻahu and examining their first foods in the first year of life. Although I do not have keiki of my own, from a nutritional standpoint, I gravitate towards building a strong foundation of nutritious patterns that can affect long-term health outcomes later in life. Through my PhD education, I have been fortunate enough to attend and present my research findings at academic conferences. These conference experiences have allowed me to broaden my knowledge and connect with other researchers in the field doing meaningful work. In addition, I was able to undergo specialized training to obtain certification to become a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC).

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies in Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences, I explored the different areas of the field and was most drawn towards the health and nutrition of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander and Indigenous populations. As a Native Hawaiian credentialed RDN and CLC, I plan to use my credentials to conduct research and engage in nutrition education through culturally-tailored materials and methodologies. After I graduate with my PhD, I hope to be working in spaces that allow me to connect with community, ʻāina, and nutrition to contribute towards building a stronger lāhui through health and nutrition.

Mahalo nui loa to the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship for providing me with this opportunity and support as I continue to complete my doctoral studies. Your unwavering dedication to Kānaka in STEM fields is a testament to building a thriving lāhui for future generations.”

Read more: Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Reflection | Christina Young