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

 

A 2023 scholarship recipient, Paul Keahi (Pk) Selhorst is now a senior at the University of Oregon, where he is studying Math and Data Science. Since we last heard from him he has returned from his internship in Germany. Here is a word from Paul:

 

“Aloha, my name is Pk Selhorst, and I am a rising senior at the University of Oregon studying Math and Data Science.

The last time I wrote an update, I was headed to Germany. While I was there, I spent most of my time working on projects assigned to me through my internship. I learned a lot more about the field I hope to enter in the future, and the experience gave me a valuable perspective on what professional work in that field may look like.

However, my biggest takeaway was the personal development I experienced while exploring Europe. Whether it was starting conversations with random people in coffee shops, taking last-minute trains to different countries, or simply walking around Berlin and taking everything in, each experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone. These moments helped me become more independent, open-minded, and confident in unfamiliar situations.

During the school year, I took classes that felt meaningful and provided real substance. Since I had already completed my core classes and the courses required of me as a student at Oregon, I had more freedom to choose the direction I wanted to take my learning. I enrolled in classes like Predictive Modeling and Cryptography, where I found myself genuinely immersed in the lectures and actively seeking answers outside of class.

In other courses, such as Data-Driven Modeling and Data Ethics, I learned more about the kind of person I want to become and the career I want to pursue after graduation. Through my two jobs, one as a TA for entry-level math courses and the other in IT, I found myself developing skills that connected directly to my academic and professional goals.

Outside of the classroom, I traveled, made more friends, and overall stayed more in the moment. In the winter, I bought a last-minute concert ticket that kickstarted my love for Electronic Music, so much so that I started DJing and eventually started getting booked and asked to play. In the spring, I continued working on music and took a last-minute road trip to the Bay Area, where I got to experience Cal Day and see my grandparents.

Which leads me to this summer, after not being back on the islands for 3 years, I decided to spend this summer working on projects both personal and contracted. Since I moved to Oregon, I have been wanting to get back to the islands and needed to do so before I entered the workforce next summer.

I would like to credit Paubox and Hoala Greevy for allowing me to pursue journeys that would be much harder without the Paubox Kahikina scholarship. This scholarship has given me the freedom to explore, stay motivated, and enjoy college. Additionally, I have been provided with access to a support system and network of very talented Hawaiian figures and mentors. For all of this, Mahalo Paubox!”

Read: Paubox Kahikina Scholarship 2026 Update