Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Kawika Naweli: 2026 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.

Read: The big ideas behind the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship

As a recent Kamehameha Schools Kapālama graduate, scholarship recipient Kawika Naweli will move on to attend University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to study Computer Science. Here is a word from Kawika:

Alongside the cloud-covered mountains and barreling waves on the shoreline, Hawaii is special because of the people who define it. When I first started college in Hawaii, I felt the pressure to be on the continental United States. I initially felt there were no opportunities here, but I realized that I was mistaken. Experiencing the close-knit nature of Hawaii, I realized that opportunities exist, but I just wasn’t aware of them yet.

That’s why it’s so important to be a part of supportive communities. Communities like the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship helped build my network and open my eyes to the opportunities already around me. In addition to professionally, they support me financially. The great thing is that Paubox is not alone. There are many organizations and individuals willing to support Hawaii students & residents on their journey.

Even now, as I sit here still deciding whether to continue pursuing Software Engineering or also explore Computer Engineering, I am not as worried about my path, regardless of the direction I choose to travel.

E hō mai kou waʻa, kiʻi mai i ka hoe e kope ai!

Read: The Gift of College in Hawaii