Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient Trust Tinai: 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

As a scholarship recipient, Trust Tinai attends Loyola Marymount University, studying Mechanical Engineering. Here is a word from Trust:

“Aloha, My name is Trust Tinai and I’ve been awarded the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship for the 2025 round of Recipients. I’m extremely honored and thankful for this opportunity and support! I’ve committed to Loyola Marymount University, studying in Mechanical Engineering.

The goal of Paubox Kahikina Scholarship, is to give an opportunity to Native Hawaiians pursuing a life in STEM. With their support, I honestly wouldn’t be able to afford college. This scholarship is a massive help for my education. Even if I’m not completely sure I’ll be able to afford my first year. I’m able to try, because of the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship, which is all I can ask for.

My life, has been tough at times. I grew up hopping between houses with my parents, going from apartments to living with my grandparents, to back to an apartment. My family was considered poor, but it was comfortable enough that I didn’t noticed it as a child. That didn’t last long a little after we got into the apartment, I still live in today; My world decided to flip over. I was about to end my 7th grade year, when Covid decided to strike. This lead to the main reason, I started my path towards Mechanical engineering.

During the pandemic my parents had a falling out, ending up separating. Me with my dad, and my mom out of state. At the moment I was in tears, and after I tried my best to not think about it. I threw myself into my school life, wanting more work to keep myself busy. Which is how I ended up in my robotics club, in my first year of highschool.

Throughout my 4 years of with the program. I’ve learned and experienced so many things. I developed my design, by using the AutoDesk Inventor, for CAD, making blueprints to showcase my ideas. Using C++ to program my creations to move autonomously. Testing/Driving my robot in competitions, then improving on them. Most importantly I made so many friends and connections, that made it truly fulfilling. I probably wouldn’t have continued into STEM, if it wasn’t for them.

These last few months have hit me hard with reality. I’ve been going through a loop of emotions. Mostly me not being prepared to leave everything i’ve known behind, but affording college has been my main concern. Even after aid, I’ll probably need to take up a full time job to pay for the tuition alone. Which scares me, but it’s the choice I made for my goals.

My long term ambitions, sound a bit optimistic. While I do want to work and create a robotic mechanism. I want to be able to give opportunities and support to people like me. Students, who come from overlooked schools, who have situations beyond their control. To create my own scholarship fund, and to help students in high school, get into STEM. Similar to the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship. To create a foundation for students on the island, is what I want to help create.

I owe Paubox Kahikina Scholarship for giving me my education, for the chance to learn. Most importantly giving me the opportunity to help my follow scholars. My thanks goes out to Paubox Kahikina for choosing me, I only hope is to not disappoint you.”

Read more: Paubox Kahikina Scholarship Recipient 2025 | Trust Tinai