Napili Kai Foundation awards $34,000 in scholarships

By Lahaina News Staff | Jul 23, 2021
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NAPILI — The Napili Kai Foundation has awarded $34,000 in higher education scholarships to seven foundation graduates, Lahainaluna High School alumni and Napili Kai Beach Resort employee children.

The scholarship recipients are: https://5c9307c32e8a55ef01d06f50cbc27be0.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Joanna Marie Acosta, a seven-year member/graduate of the foundation and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a junior, majoring in Accounting. She received $5,000.

Brianna T. Bandy, a seven-year member of the foundation, daughter of a 28-year employee of Napili Kai Beach Resort and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to Arizona State University as a junior, majoring in Secondary Education/English. She received $5,000.

Kylie S. Ines, an 11-year member/graduate of the foundation and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to Washington State University as a junior, majoring in Human Development. She received $5,000.

Iverly B. Navarro, daughter of a 11-year employee of Napili Kai Beach Resort and a 2018 graduate of Lahainaluna, will be attending the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, as a senior, majoring in Health and Physical Education. She received $4,000.

Ira Jean Navarro, daughter of a 11-year employee of Napili Kai Beach Resort and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be attending the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, as a junior, majoring in Accounting. She received $4,000.

Tori Kaimana Tihada, a ten-year member/graduate of the foundation and a 2018 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a senior, majoring in Hospitality Management. She received $5,000.

Leah G. Werblun, a nine-year member/graduate of the foundation and a 2018 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to the University of Northern Colorado as a senior, majoring in Biology with a Chemistry minor. She received $6,000.

The Napili Kai Foundation, now 55 years old, is the longest running weekly keiki hula show in Hawaii.

The foundation offers its cultural program, free of charge, to the children of West Maui.

Membership now spans generations and averages 35 with a travel troupe of 15.

The keiki are taught by renown Kumu Hula Kathy Ralar, along with Kumu Kalei Jaramillo and Kumu Rance Villarimo, and perform a weekly show at Napili Kai Beach Resort. The keiki range in age from 5-18.

For membership information, contact 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 over $299,000 in higher education scholarships to graduating keiki and alumni to help them achieve their educational and career goals.

The scholarships are funded by the JC Millar Scholarship Fund, Bert and Barbara Stubblefield Scholarship Fund, Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope, Felts Family Foundation, Dennis Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund, Dean and Colleen Dwyer Scholarship Fund, and the Nation Meyer Memorial Scholarship Fund.