1 min read
Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Landon Choy: 2026 update
Tshedimoso Makhene
May 28, 2026
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
2023 scholarship recipient, Landon Choy, is a fourth-year Computer Science student at Stanford University. Here is a word from Landon:
“During my time at Stanford University, I have had the opportunity to explore several areas within technology through internships in different industries. I worked as a Data Engineering Intern at Chevron, a Data Science Intern at the USDA, and a Software Engineering Intern at Medtronic. While these experiences helped me develop strong technical skills and understand the impact technology can have at scale, they also helped me realize that a traditional tech career path was not the direction I wanted to pursue long term.
Instead, these experiences pushed me toward research and toward the areas of technology I care most deeply about. Growing up in Hawaii surrounded by natural beauty gave me a deep appreciation for the environment and made me want to pursue technologies that can help preserve it for future generations. Over time, I became increasingly interested in how artificial intelligence can be used to create more sustainable and environmentally conscious systems that improve daily life while reducing environmental impact. Through my research experiences at Stanford University, I have been able to explore how AI and emerging technologies can support smarter infrastructure, more efficient systems, and more responsible approaches to technology development.
The Paubox Kahikina Scholarship has been incredibly meaningful in supporting this journey. Its support has allowed me to focus more fully on my education, research, and professional growth while giving me the flexibility to pursue opportunities aligned with my long-term goals and interests. Looking ahead, I hope to continue working at the intersection of AI, sustainability, and socially impactful technology, helping develop systems that are both innovative and responsible.”
Read more: Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Reflection | Landon Choy
Subscribe to Paubox Weekly
Every Friday we bring you the most important news from Paubox. Our aim is to make you smarter, faster.
