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 Kapaeloa Aki is a 2022 Paubox Kahikina Scholarship recipient who recently switched majors to pursue Data Science. Here is a word from Kapaeloa:
"Aloha! My name is Kapaeloaoka'ohukea Aki, and I am honored to be a recipient of the 2022 Paubox Kahikina scholarship.
This past year has been both exciting and eye opening, filled with opportunities that challenged me and helped me grow. I started taking introductory data science courses to explore the field more deeply. What started as curiosity quickly grew into an interest, especially as I began to see how data could be used to solve real-world problems and serve communities here in Hawai'i. These early courses laid the foundation for the research opportunities I pursued.
During the spring semester, I had the incredible opportunity to work under Travis Mandel, the Program Coordinator for the Data Science department and one of my professors. I supported a data science research project centered on environmental monitoring. My role involved spearheading the collection and standardization of atmospheric visibility from weather stations and fog gauges across the Hawaiian islands over a period of time. I ensured the data was structured and compatible with existing environmental datasets, which allowed for effective integration and analysis. I also leveraged the structured data to generate sophisticated plots and visual interpolations. Using techniques like point plotting, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Gaussian smoothing to effectively communicate complex environmental patterns. This research was ultimately presented at the Change HI conference on O'ahu by members of our team. It was a rewarding experience to contribute to a project with real-world environmental applications in collaboration with other dedicated students, and develop my data analysis skills.
This summer I am excited to be interning under PIPES (Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science) at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center (KBCC), whose mission is to prevent the extinction of endangered Hawaiian bird species and prepare them for successful reintroduction into the wild. A key component of this work is supporting their reproduction in human care to ensure long-term population viability. Through this internship, I aim to apply data-driven insights to better understand the challenges these birds face and explore potential solutions. In addition to acting as a data analyst, I also see myself as a member of a community deeply committed to the survival and flourishing of these species.
It means a great deal to me to be involved in works that not only have scientific value but also directly impacts Hawaiʻiʻs unique ecosystem and culture. I hope to contribute meaningfully by further developing my technical skills and continue my dedication to the community.
These experiences have deepened my passion for data science and confirmed my interest in pursuing it as my major. Although changing majors may extend the time it takes to complete my bachelorʻs degree, I believe that it is a path that aligns with my long-term interests. Coming to this decision has shown me that it is okay to pivot when something doesnʻt truly resonate because at the end of the day, we have to take charge of our education and follow what feels right. For me, thatʻs data science. Iʻm still at the beginning of my journey, but through my coursework and hands-on experience, I feel confident that this is the right direction.
I strongly urge other students to apply to the Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship, as I am grateful for the support given and the empowerment I have received to explore meaningful and impactful work rooted in community, culture, and science."
Read: Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship 2025 Update | Kapaeloa Aki
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