OHA Sponsors Scholarship Fairs

OHA News Release

OHA employee Ike Kaaihue (left) assists some of the estimated 2,100 Native Hawaiians who sought financial assistance last year at the Scholarship ‘Aha held statewide. Photo Courtesy OHA.

A series of scholarship fairs will be held around the state, sponsored in part by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Their intent is in part to provide Native Hawaiians with greater financial aid. The Molokai fair will be held on Dec. 13 at Kulana Oiwi from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Known as the 2012-2013 Native Hawaiian Scholarship ‘Aha, these fairs are part of a partnership with the University of Hawaii, GEAR Up Hawaii, and the Native Hawaiian Education Association. Last year, OHA awarded $718,000 in scholarship money to an estimated 300 Native Hawaiian students, who received between $1,000 and $4,500 to assist with expenses for about 80 colleges, including Cornell University in New York and Stanford University in California.

“OHA’s involvement represents a sincere commitment to helping more Native Hawaiians realize the dream of college in the 21st century,” said OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamana`opono Crabbe. “It’s one of the best investments we can make in the Hawaiian community’s future.”