NAPILI KAI FOUNDATION AWARDS $42,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS
 
 
NAPILI, MAUI, HAWAII:  The Napili Kai Foundation has awarded $42,000 in higher education scholarships to 8 Foundation graduates, Lahainaluna alumni and Napili Kai Beach Resort employee children.  The recipients are:
 
Gracia Marie Acosta, a 7- year member/graduate of the Foundation and a 2023 Lahainaluna graduate, will be attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a freshman, majoring in Hospitality and Tourism.  She received $4,000.
 
Theressa Cabading, a 6-year member/graduate of the Foundation, and a 2022 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to the University of Hawaii, Manoa, as a sophomore, majoring in Nursing.  She received $4,000.
 
Namahina H. Kawabata, a 12-year member/graduate of the Foundation and a 2022 graduate of Maui Preparatory Academy, will be returning to University of Hawaii, Maui, as a sophomore, majoring in Creative Media and Film.  She received $4,000.
 
Aizza Lei Liwanag, an 8-year member/graduate of the Foundation, will be attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, majoring in Microbiology.  She received $6,000.
 
Jaela P. Naha, a 12-year member/graduate of the Foundation, daughter of a 21-year employee of Napili Kai Beach Resort, and a 2019 Lahainaluna graduate, will be returning to University of Hawaii, Maui.  Jaela has already received her LPN in Nursing and will continue to achieve her Registered Nursing Degree.  She received $6,000.
 
Samantha Marie Calma, a 6-year member/graduate of the Foundation, will be returning to University of Hawaii, Maui.  Samantha has received her LPN in Nursing and will continue to achieve her Registered Nursing Degree.  She received $6,000.
 
Joanna Marie Acosta, a 7-year member/graduate of the Foundation, will be returning to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Joanna has received her BS in Accounting, and is continuing to achieve her Masters Degree in Accounting.  She received $6,000.
 
Leah Werblun, a 9-year member/graduate of the Foundation and a 2018 Lahainaluna graduate has graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a BS in Biological Sciences, and a minor in Chemistry Liberal Arts.  She is continuing towards a degree as a Physician’s Assistant.  She received $6,000.
 
The Napili Kai Foundation, now 57 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 the Napili Kai Beach Resort.  The keiki range in age from 5-18.  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 over $372,000 in higher education scholarships to graduating keiki and alumni to help them achieve their educational and career goals.
 
The scholarships are funded by:  J.C.Millar Scholarship Fund, Bert and Barbara Stubblefield Scholarship Fund, Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope, Felts Family Foundation, Dean and Colleen Dwyer Scholarship Fund, Nation Meyer Memorial Scholarship Fund, Jeff and Libby Ames Fund, and Ron Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund.