Huliau Alumni Council Scholarship
Maui Huliau Foundation is excited to announce the fifth year of our Huliau Alumni Council Scholarship Program, created to support and inspire graduating high school seniors from Maui County in their pursuit of higher education. This year, a portion of the scholarship funds is offered in honor of our beloved board member, Eleanor Dudley, who passed away in 2025. Eleanor was deeply passionate about young people, our planet, and education, and she dedicated much of her life to teaching and uplifting future generations. While this scholarship is open to students pursuing any career path, this year we are especially interested in supporting students who aspire to become educators in Hawaiʻi, as well as students who demonstrate a strong interest in environmental protection.About the Scholarship
Maui Huliau Foundation’s mission is to promote environmental literacy and leadership among Maui youth through unique, hands-on programs that educate and empower young people to become future stewards of our natural environment.
The Huliau Alumni Council Scholarship reflects this mission by supporting students who demonstrate a commitment to community, care for the ʻāina, and a desire to make a positive impact through their education and future careers.
Scholarship Objective
The principal objective of this scholarship program is to support and encourage current high school seniors as they continue their studies through higher education. While the scholarship is open to students pursuing any career path, priority consideration this year will be given to students who demonstrate:
A strong interest in environmental protection, sustainability, and caring for the ʻāina, and/or
An interest in teaching or pursuing a career in education in Hawaiʻi, in honor of Eleanor Dudley’s lifelong dedication to education and youth.
Basis of Award
The Scholarship Committee, comprised of members of the Huliau Alumni Council and the Maui Huliau Foundation Board of Directors, will make the final selection of scholarship recipients based on a holistic review of application materials, including written responses and essays.
Scholarships are awarded based on a combination of the following criteria:
- Academic achievement
- Financial need
- Educational plans and career goals
- Demonstrated interest in community service and/or environmental stewardship
- Alignment with the scholarship’s goals, including interest in environmental protection and, this year, teaching in Hawaiʻi
Top candidates may also be invited to participate in a Zoom interview as part of the selection process.
Financial need may be documented through the optional submission of FAFSA information. FAFSA documents can be obtained by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2025–2026 academic year on the Federal Student Aid website.
Apply below by March 20th!
Applications are due by midnight on March 20, 2026, and recipients will be notified by April 3rd.
Scholarship Award Amount
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the Huliau Alumni Council Scholarship Fund will distribute a total of $10,000, awarded as follows:
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One $5,000 scholarship to the top candidate
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One $3,000 scholarship to the second-place candidate
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One $2,000 scholarship to the third-place candidate
Scholarship amounts may vary by year depending on available funding.
Use of Scholarship Funds
Scholarship awards may be applied toward tuition, housing, books, fees, or other costs directly related to undergraduate study at a 2- or 4-year college or university.
Congratulations to our 2025 scholarship recipients!
Below are profiles of the winners of our 2025 scholarship who were selected out of 49 applicants.
Joshua Mori, Maui High School
Joshua is a senior at Maui High School planning to attend University of Pennsylvania as an Electrical Engineering and Earth & Environmental Science major–and a first-gen student. His passion for renewable energy will continue at the Vagelos Institute at U-Penn, where he hopes to bridge technology, policy, and conservation to develop sustainable solutions for climate change.
A standout moment for Joshua was his internship with the Alaska Center for Energy & Power, working within native Alaskan communities to build resilience against the rising costs of fossil fuels. He reflects, “My time in Alaska showed me that solving climate challenges isn’t just about technology—it’s about working with people, respecting their knowledge, and ensuring that solutions are as culturally thoughtful as they are scientifically sound. Bringing this back to Maui, this commitment has shaped my high school career and will hopefully continue to do so in my professional career in Hawai’i”. He concludes, “I believe solving environmental challenges isn’t just about innovation—it’s about collaboration, respect, and cultural understanding.”
Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe e @josshhhuuuu! We wish you all the best on your journey ahead!
Kamakanōweo Kekauoha-Schultz, King Kekaulike High School
Kamakanōweo is a senior at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kekaulike. After graduation he plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, with the goal to double major in Hawaiian Studies and Environmental Science. His vision is to blend cultural wisdom with modern ecological practice, return home to Maui, and continue restoring native ecosystems, protecting endemic species, and educating others on the importance of conservation.
As the founder of Hui Hoʻopulapula, an aloha ʻāina-based club at KKHS, he helped plant 750 native plants on campus, gifted plants to 20+ teachers, led a field trip to Waikamoi Preserve, and partnered with Grow Some Good and EMWP. In his application, he wrote: “I have taken small steps to incorporate Hawaiian concepts and values into my club so others can appreciate and care for our unique places and species, no matter their background… I want to continue to find creative ways to share my passion and aloha with my community.”
Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe e Nōweo! We wish you all the best on your college journey ahead.
Bella Kuailani, King Kekaulike High School
Bella, a senior at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Kekaulike, is committed to protecting Hawaii’s natural resources through hands-on work and advocacy, while aspiring to teach Hawaiian language and culture. Throughout her highschool career, she has actively served in environmental and cultural stewardship programs like the NALU Studies Program, Hui Hoʻopulapula, and Wahine Kai Camp with Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke.
In February 2024, Bella gave her first public testimony at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, advocating for improved water management for public users. This pivotal moment launched her continued involvement in water rights efforts, including testifying, lobbying, and educating others about water issues across Hawai‘i. Driven by a deep love and respect for her land and culture, Bella plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where she will major in Hawaiian Studies and minor in Marine Science. She shares, “To give back to my community is a great kuleana for me, and I strive to fulfill that responsibility till my last breath.”
Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe e Bella! We wish you all the best on your college journey!
Izzy Perchard, Maui Preparatory Academy
Izzy, a senior at Maui Preparatory Academy, first joined our Leadership Council as a sophomore in 2022. She remained actively involved throughout high school and also interned with our EcoAdventure summer program, where she had the opportunity to research environmental topics and volunteer with local environmental organizations.
Izzy’s passion for environmental justice is undeniable. During her senior year she focused her research on the intersections between race, class, and environment alongside the applications of environmental justice in Hawai’i. Through reflecting on her journey she shared, “Seeing the change enabled by advocacy affirmed my commitment to making an impact and showed me that I should always take action.” Izzy plans to attend Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where she will take part in their 3-2 Environmental Science program, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Reed and a Master’s in Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.
Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe e Izzy! We wish you all the best on your future endeavors!
Congratulations to our 2024 scholarship recipients!
Below are profiles of the winners of our 2024 scholarship who were selected out of 19 applicants.
John Rick Bumanglag, Maui High School
John Rick Bumanglag recently graduated from Maui High and, after graduating, plans to study political science and biology with the goal of becoming a physician in the future.
As an ambassador for the global campaign, Pledge to our Keiki, John Rick shares, “I have seen the urgency in taking action in the environment and the issues that it is facing that will change its trajectory for the rest of our lives.” He continues, “I aspire to be a change maker and putting this passion into action through volunteer efforts through our local non-profits and organizations as well as active activism such as Pledge to Our Keiki. We must shed light on this and the many other environmental issues of our land by first seeing that we can truly make an impact one step at a time.”
Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe e John Rick! We wish you all the best on your college journey! ✨🎓
Emmi-Lin Felten, Kamehameha Schools Maui
Emmi-Lin Felten recently graduated from Kamehameha Schools Maui and, after graduating, plans to attend Pacific University Oregon to major in environmental science policy and conservation.
Emmi-Lin’s passion for the environment and her cultural heritage is unmistakable; in her application she shares, “In Hawaii, our cultural identity is synonymously bound with the natural environment. Nevertheless, economic growth and illegal exploitation of natural resources can undermine the fragile harmony between human presence and ecology. As I continue to grow and fulfill the role of being a part of a better change, I have instilled the Hawaiian culture and illustrated through learning the hula, ʻōlelo hawaiʻi, moʻolelo, working in the loʻi, the skills to pound and create paʻi ʻai to provide for my ʻohana and my ability to convey information to younger generations on how we can revive our culture.”
Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe e Emmi-Lin! We wish you all the best on your college journey! ✨🎓
Congratulations to our 2023 recipients!
Below are profiles of the winners of our first scholarship competition in the 2022-23 school year who were selected out of 36 applicants.
Talia Agliam, Lānaʻi High School
Lily Ahrnsbrak, Maui High School
Lily is a senior at Maui High School and, after graduating, plans to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to major in either Marine Biology or Environmental Science.
Lily has a passion for protecting her home from pollution and has been involved in many beach clean-ups through her school, community, and Maui Huliau. This past school year, we advised Lily through her senior project focusing on sustainability measures at Maui hotels. She partnered with Kalikolehua Storer from the Hyatt Regency and Lily was able to create a film highlighting the work the Hyatt has done in terms of renewable energy, water conservation, and food sustainability.
In her application, she reminisces on her experience with our Leadership Council:
“The Huliau Leadership Council influences us to do a student-led project to help and change our community. I chose to do a coral related project and my plan is to be led by the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute on how to grow and nurture coral. I plan on rebuilding the coral that has been destroyed by coral bleaching, unsafe sunscreen, ocean temperatures rising, and debris in my hometown. I want to be part of the change!”
Hoʻomaikaʻi iā ʻoe e Lily! We wish you all of the best on your college journey!
Congratulations to our 2022 recipients!
Below are profiles of the winners of our first scholarship competition in the 2021-22 school year who were selected out of 19 applicants.
Kyrie Sisouvong, Baldwin High School
One of our two Huliau Alumni Council Scholarship first year recipients is Kyrie Sisouvong, a senior at Baldwin High School who plans to attend Seattle University and major in Environmental Science, with an emphasis in water conservation. Kyrie’s extra-curricular high school experiences include marching band, Key Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, UHMCʻs Upward Bound and Environmental Science Summer Bridge programs, Hawaiʻi Youth Climate Coalition and being part of our Huliau Leadership Council.
Kyrie has been involved with youth-led campaigns tackling some of the biggest environmental problems facing Hawaiʻi including climate change, plastic pollution, and protecting our freshwater resources. In her application, Kyrie reflected on the importance of protecting wai:
“The saying “water is life” is especially significant on an island with limited resources, we need fresh water for consumption, agriculture, the recharging of our aquifers, and much more. Water is a universal staple in ALL of our communities, it’s a property that connects us all–despite our differences, or where we live. Through my future and current work in Environmental Science, I hope to raise awareness of the importance of wai, and ways to most efficiently conserve and use it. I also want to bring the “Aloha spirit” to fruition through activism, community service, and raising awareness.”
Congratulations, Kyrie! We wish you all of the best on your college journey!
Moani Tiare Atay, Kamehameha Schools Maui
One of our two Huliau Alumni Council Scholarship first year recipients is Moani Tiare Atay, a senior at Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus who plans to study Environmental Science in college. Moani’s extra-curricular high school experiences range from student government to canoe paddling, to serving as a crew member for Hui o Waʻa Kaulua.
During her 250 hours of community service being involved with Maui’s transoceanic double-hulled voyaging canoe named Moʻokiha o Piʻilani, Moani shared in her application about adapting to the “waʻa perspective”:
“When you are floating about at sea on a 62-foot vessel with 15 other people, you learn how to preserve your resources and work together to survive. Similarly, now more than ever, Maui County is facing huge issues with access to our natural resources and everyone is witnessing firsthand how important it is to preserve this precious supply. This experience has helped me realize my career goal of working in the environmental field in Hawaiʻi to provide a better future for the next generation using the mindset and skills I have learned from our waʻa. By pursuing an education and career in Environmental Science, I can combine my knowledge of Hawaiian culture and my love for the environment to fulfill my promise of aloha ʻāina and mālama hōnua forever and always.”
Congratulations to Moani and we wish you all the best on your college journey!