A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE
BIG PROMISE OF LITTLE THINGS CHANGE COMES FROM EVERYONE
Getting to College and Crossing the Finish Line Scholarships Can Make All the Difference
D
aniel Kimoto’s senior year in high school included all the usual stress: finals, college applications, graduation prep, and figuring out what he wanted to do next. But the one thing he didn’t have to worry about was how he and his family would pay for college. Daniel qualified for the HEI Scholars Program Fund at the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and because of his impressive leadership background, community service, and academic achievements, he was awarded a renewable scholarship — giving him the financial security that as long as he did his part, the money would be there. “This scholarship gave me the opportunity to choose a more academically rigorous school on the mainland,” Daniel says, “One that has helped me grow and mature as a student and a person.” Because the scholarship automatically renews each year as long as the student stays in school full time and maintains a 3.0 GPA, Daniel didn’t have to worry that the money would dry up before he could graduate. “Instead of just helping during my first year, my renewable scholarship has helped me and my family afford my entire college career,” he says.
Getting to college is just the first barrier facing students. Their biggest hurdle is finishing. Over 20% of students attending a 4-year school will drop out after the first year, and it’s even worse at 2-year schools. When asked why, over 70% of these students report they just didn’t have enough financial assistance to get across the finish line. “At HCF, we’re committed to the education of our young people,” says Micah Ka¯ne, CEO & President at HCF. “Not just getting them to college, but sticking with them throughout that journey — seeing them cross that finish line.” Scholarships are just one of the mechanisms HCF provides to improve and enhance educational opportunities for our communities’ next generation, and HCF is proud to award more than 1,200 scholarships every fall to young people across the state. “We partner and collaborate with HCF because they administer our program efficiently and effectively,” says Connie Lau, chair of the HEI Charitable Foundation, and together, “We create an even better future for Hawai‘i.” Helping young people get through college and come back to make their community better — that’s the big promise of little things.
To set up a scholarship fund, visit HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org/scholarships
Alan Okami, President & CEO of Hawaiian Electric Company and Connie Lau, chair of HEI Foundation (center) with scholarship recipients including Daniel Kimoto (far right)
“Instead of just helping during my first year, my renewable scholarship has helped me and my family afford my entire college career.” - DANIEL KIMOTO, RECIPIENT OF THE HEI SCHOLARS PROGRAM FUND AT HCF
Did You Know... In 2016, HCF distributed $4.7 million in scholarships from more than 200 scholarship funds – many of the funds were established by foundations like HEI's as well as individuals and families looking to leave Hawai‘i better through their generosity.