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 Kaimana is entering his junior year at Stanford, studying mechanical engineering. This summer, he's applying his engineering skills to marine conservation in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, designing underwater tools to remove debris from reefs. Here is a word from Kaimana:
"How's it, everyone. I am Kaimana. I am a rising junior at Stanford University, and I am a 2023 Paubox Kahikina scholarship recipient. This year's been very good for me. Academically, I've been taking a lot of my core classes for mechanical engineering. I've also been meeting a lot of new people, making a lot of new experiences. This summer I'm working for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine debris project, as a marine debris technician, where I will be going up to the monument in Northwest Hawaiian Islands, diving and removing marine debris and nets from the reef. I also work as an engineer for the company, weaving my interest in mechanical engineering with the ocean and conservation. Where I've been making dive propulsion vehicles, or DPVs, as well as underwater cutting tools, so we can cut the nets underwater that are attached to the reef. And overall, it's been great to combine my passion for engineering as well as the ocean and conservation. I'd like to thank Paubox, Hoala Greevy, and the whole team for their generosity and their support. It really helps as far as funding goes for post-secondary education. Mahalo."
Watch: Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship 2025 Update | Kaimana Kau