Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Kawehi Cabuzel: 2025 update

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

Kawehi is a 2021 recipient of the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship and recently completed his fourth year at the University of Southern California (USC). Kawehi is pursuing a degree in environmental studies (ENST) with a minor in marine biology. Here is a word from Kawehi: 

“Aloha mai kakou, my name is Kawehi, and I have just finished my 4th year at the University of Southern California (USC). I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies (ENST) with a minor in Marine Biology. This year has been full of exciting new experiences.

I want to thank the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship program for their tremendous support throughout my college career. I am extremely grateful for the financial support and opportunities that they have provided me, not to mention all the cool people I’ve met.

For my senior year, my biggest goals were to continue working in a lab and also get my AAUS diving certification to open up the world of underwater research to me. After finishing up my Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) last summer, I began my search to join a lab. Simultaneously, just after returning home from my REU, I decided to break the bank and get my open water scuba certification. This certification would allow me to take my university's AAUS diving course. This course is a gateway for many researchers interested in marine sciences, so it was a must-do for me. And after spending a short two weeks back home doing scuba, I was sent back to California for my senior year.

I was fortunate to work in the Nuzhdin Lab, again working with the species giant kelp. Except this time, I was helping a PhD student who was working on transgenic kelp, or the transfer of genes into kelp using bacteria. I have learned so much working in the lab, from new techniques to general lab knowledge. Since my major is not specifically science-focused, but rather a combination of policy, management, and science, it was quite difficult at first not having as much lab experience as a standard Biology student. Eventually, everything began to click, and when I figured things out, it became even more rewarding.

My favorite class for the Fall semester was biological oceanography, learning about ocean carbon/nutrient cycles, and all the different types of phytoplankton and bacteria that are crucial in these processes. We also had the opportunity to go on the Yellowfin research vessel, where we took CTD water samples with depths up to and greater than 300 meters. And in the Spring, my favorites included the AAUS diving course and marine biology. Not only did I learn so much in both, but I was able to once again travel to Catalina Island for course experiments and practice dives.

I just could not stay away from Catalina, so I ended up doing another course there this summer. It is truly my home away from home. The course I took was Coastal Zone Sustainability, which focused on the intersection between humans and the environment. I was also encouraged to take this course because it had scuba diving options. This was the perfect opportunity to put my new AAUS certification to work. I will not lie, scuba diving becomes a lot less fun when there is work involved; however, I could never get bored with Catalina’s underwater coast.

After that month-long course, I landed a research internship at the Los Angeles Zoo. While initially skeptical of zoos in general, I left the experience knowing that the animals are cared for extremely well and that the zoo participates in many conservation projects locally and internationally. I spent 8 weeks researching bird communities and how they varied in different habitats across the zoo (specifically native vs non-native dominated habitats).

After my internship at the zoo, I was ready to go back home to Hawai’i. My summer was brief once again, but it was certainly one to remember. I spent as much time as possible and cherished being with my family in the place I call home.

I am so thankful for this year and blessed to have done so much. Again, I want to thank the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship for everything they have done and their continued dedication and investment in the youth of Hawai’i.”

Read more: Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Reflection | Kawehi Cabuzel