Friends Scholarship
Established by the Foundation. Need-based; top grades aren’t required. Preference goes to students who are the first in their family to pursue a college degree.
For Molokaʻi High seniors
Scholarships for life after Molokaʻi High
Four named scholarships, up to $2,000 each, for graduating seniors going on to college, university, community college or trade school. You don’t need to be at the top of your class.
Who can apply
Made for students who work hard
Awards are based on need and character, not just grades.
- Graduating Molokaʻi High seniors. Awards go to members of this year’s graduating class.
- Need-based. Every award considers financial need. Recipients don’t have to be top achievers.
- Show your acceptance. You’ll need proof that you’ve been accepted to a college, university, two-year college or trade school.
- Use it when you need it. You can hold your award and take it as late as your sophomore, junior or senior year.
- First in your family? Two of the scholarships give preference to students who are the first in their family to pursue a college degree.
The awards
Four scholarships, four stories
Each one was created by people who wanted to see Molokaʻi students go further. Donors can give to any of them.
Kukui Mālamalama Scholarship
Need-based, with one award to a young woman and one to a young man. Recent recipients also received a laptop and a backpack.
In memory of Kekuhaupio “Keku” Likua, a Molokaʻi High graduate who wasn’t the top student in his class but worked hard, stayed humble and became a contributing member of the community. Donors hope recipients share his character.
Yola Meyer Forbes Scholarship
Need-based. Preference goes to students who are the first in their family to pursue a college degree.
Yola Meyer Forbes was born and raised on Molokaʻi, was among the first Kamehameha School for Girls graduates to earn a doctorate, and later practiced law for the Molokaʻi community. Her son, Dr. Owen Forbes, created the fund.
Earl Nakamura Scholarship
$1,000 for a student pursuing a four-year (BA) or two-year (AA) degree, and $500 for a trade-school student.
Honors Mr. Earl Nakamura, a respected Molokaʻi High teacher, counselor and friend. Board member Susan Nartatez helps run the award.
How to apply
Three steps
Questions? Molokaʻi High’s counseling office can help, or send us a message.
- Check this year’s deadline
Ask the Molokaʻi High counseling office when applications are due.
- Fill out the online application
It’s a Google Form, so you’ll be asked to sign in with a Google account.
- Show proof of acceptance
Share your acceptance letter from a college, university, two-year college or trade school. Then claim your award when you need it.
Where scholars go
From Hoʻolehua to Princeton
In recent years Kukui Mālamalama scholars alone have headed to:
- Princeton University
- Arizona State University
- Bethany College (Kansas)
- Hawaiʻi Community College
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Early College help
The Foundation also helps pay tuition for Molokaʻi High students who take Early College classes, earning college credit before they graduate.
Give to a scholarship
Choose a scholarship on the donation form, or write its name on the memo line of your check.