Machado Memorial Scholarship

CNHA News Release

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) has launched a scholarship opportunity to support students from Molokai who are the first in their family to pursue higher education. The Colette Pi‘ipi‘i Machado Scholarship honors the legacy of the late Colette Machado, a Molokai native, respected community leader, and former chair and longtime trustee for the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). 

The $2,500 scholarship is open to qualifying applicants now until June 24.

“Colette was a true mana wahine who fought passionately and tirelessly to uplift the lāhui, and in particular, the community of her beloved Molokai,” said Kūhiō Lewis, chief executive officer of CNHA. “We hope that this scholarship opportunity will be one way we can continue to honor her and extend the impact of her legacy.”

To be eligible for the $2,500 scholarship, applicants must reside on Molokai and meet at least one of the following criteria: First generation higher education student (neither parent (or legal guardian) has a baccalaureate degree); or low income as defined by the federal government; or have a documented disability.

Complete the online application, which includes submission of a picture of a person who inspires you and a personal statement about why and or how they inspire you.

Applications are due by June 24, and all supporting documents are due by June 30. Application can be accessed at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDZEevkA68ZM4X5bHISKvgUAW503B5qGA4c5lJk_HxD_C1w/viewform. Supporting documents and any questions can be submitted to machadoscholarship@hawaiiancouncil.org.

Colette Piʻipiʻi Machado overcame adversity to become one of the most influential defenders of Hawaii’s culture, people and natural resources. Machado was instrumental in efforts to protect Molokai from destructive development and in the Aloha ‘Aina movement to halt military use of Kaho‘olawe. She served on the state Land Use Commission and the state Hawaiian Home Commission, preparing her to run for OHA. With OHA, she served as the trustee for the islands of Molokai and Lanai for six terms from 1996 through 2020 and chairperson of the Board of Trustees from 2010 through 2014, and 2017 through 2020.

The Colette Pi‘ipi‘i Machado Scholarship was made possible with support from CNHA and Machado’s late husband, Myron Akutagawa. If you are interested in donating to the Colette Pi‘ipi‘i Machado Scholarship, please visit memberplanet.com/campaign/cnhamembers/colette.