NAPILI, MAUI, HAWAII; The Napili Kai Foundation has awarded $31,000 in higher education scholarships to 7 Foundation graduates, Lahainaluna graduates and alumni, and Napili Kai Beach Resort employee children. The recipients are:
Mekayla A. Bandy is a 2024 Lahainaluna graduate and a daughter of a 30-year employee of Napili Kai Beach Resort. She will be attending UH-Manoa as a freshman. She received $4,000.
Theressa Nhelle Cabading is a 6 year member graduate of the Foundation, will be returning to UH-Manoa as a junior majoring in Nursing. She received $5,000.
Namahina H. Kawabata, a 12 year member graduate of the Foundation will be returning to UH-Maui as a junior majoring in Creative Media/Filmmaking. She received $5,000.
Shari C. Peralta is a 2024 graduate of Lahainaluna and a daughter of a 24 year employee of Napili Kai Beach Resort. She will be attending UH Manoa, majoring in Nursing. She received $4,000.
Gracia Marie Acosta a 7 year member graduate of the Foundation, will be returning to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a sophomore, majoring in Hospitality. She received $5,000.
Cheira Emeryl Cappal, a 2024 graduate of Lahainaluna and a daughter of a 17 year employee of Napili Kai Beach Resort, will be attending Portland State University as a freshman, majoring in Business/Management. She received $4,000.
Jasmine Lagazo, a 6 year member graduate of the Foundation and a 2024 graduate of Lahainaluna, will be attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, majoring in Pre-Nursing. She received $4,000.
The Napili Kai Foundation, now 58 years old, is the longest running weekly keiki hula show in Hawaii. The Foundation offers its cultural program free of charge to keiki from 5-18, which includes a weekly show at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. For membership information please contact Kumu Hula Kathy Ralar at: www.napilikaifoundation.org.
In 1986, the scope of the Foundation’s program was expanded by the establishment of its unique scholarship fund, which has to date distributed $403,000 in higher education scholarships. The scholarships are funded by: JCMillar Scholarship Fund, Bert and Barbara Stubblefield Scholarship Fund, Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope, Felts Family Foundation, Nation Meyer Memorial Scholarship Fund, Jeff and Libby Ames Fund, Ron Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Gillian Coder Memorial Scholarship Fund.