Scholarships

Open to students attending a trade school, community college, public or private university or graduate school who currently live in the Kalihi-Palama area or who have participated in a Palama Settlement program. Scholarships are awarded based on need, academic performance, community service, and affiliation with Palama Settlement.

How to Submit Your Scholarship Application

Applications are DUE March 31st!
In Person
Drop it off at the Administration Office at Palama Settlement.
By Mail
Palama Settlement
810 N. Vineyard Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96817

Application Timeline

Applications Open

January 12, 2026

Application Deadline

March 31, 2026

Scholarship Committee Interviews

April 12 - May 8

Award Recipients Notified

May 29, 2026

Award Cermony

June 18, 2026

Fall 2026 Tuition Disbursement

August 2026

Spring 2027 Tuition Disbursement

January 2027

Available Scholarships

Explore our scholarships, with over $1M awarded since 1998 to deserving students.
Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need and high scholastic achievement. The scholarship application is open to full and part-time students who have either applied to or are currently attending a degree-granting program or study or are registered in an associate or baccalaureate program of study at a public or private college in the State of Hawai’i or the continental U.S. Preference is given to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
• Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Enrolled part-time or full-time in a public or private undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited public or private college in the State of Hawaiʻi or the continental U.S.
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must have affiliation with Kalihi-Pālama neighborhood (96817/96819).
Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need and high scholastic achievement. The scholarship application is open to full and part-time students who have either applied to or are currently attending a degree-granting program or study or are registered in an associate or baccalaureate program of study at a public or private college in the State of Hawai’i or the continental U.S. Preference is given to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
• Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Enrolled part-time or full-time in a public or private undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited public or private college in the State of Hawaiʻi or the continental U.S.
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must have affiliation with Kalihi-Pālama neighborhood (96817/96819).
This scholarship is funded by the David C. Ai Charitable Trust in honor of C.K. Ai and David Ai, who held a steadfast belief that education is a critical investment in the future and should be accessible to everyone. The scholarship is open to students who are currently enrolled, either full- or part-time, or applying for admission to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program, technical school, or trade school at a public or private institution in Hawai‘i or on the U.S. mainland. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated financial need and outstanding academic achievement.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
• Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Demonstrate financial need
• Show characteristics of leadership, passion for learning, perseverance, problem-solving, and community focus
• Applicants must be currently enrolled (full-time or part-time) or in the process of applying to an accredited undergraduate, graduate, technical, or trade school program at a public or private college or university, either in Hawai‘i or on the U.S. mainland.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required. A passing grade is required for trade schools or other institutions without GPA grading.
•Recipients are required to complete eight hours of community service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.
Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need and high scholastic achievement. The scholarship application is open to full and part-time students who have either applied to or are currently attending a degree-granting program or study or are registered in an associate or baccalaureate program of study at a public or private college in the State of Hawai’i or the continental U.S. Preference is given to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
• Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Enrolled part-time or full-time in a public or private undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited public or private college in the State of Hawaiʻi or the continental U.S.
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must have affiliation with Kalihi-Pālama neighborhood (96817/96819).
Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need and high scholastic achievement. The scholarship application is open to full and part-time students who have either applied to or are currently attending a degree-granting program or study or are registered in an associate or baccalaureate program of study at a public or private college in the State of Hawai’i or the continental U.S. Preference is given to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
• Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Enrolled part-time or full-time in a public or private undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited public or private college in the State of Hawaiʻi or the continental U.S.
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must have affiliation with Kalihi-Pālama neighborhood (96817/96819).
Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need and high scholastic achievement. The scholarship application is open to students enrolled full- or part-time, or applying for admission to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program, technical school, or trade school at a public or private college or university in Hawai‘i or on the U.S. mainland. Funding for the scholarship is acquired through private donations. Preference is given to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
• Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Demonstrate financial need
• Applicants must be currently enrolled (full-time or part-time) or in the process of applying to an accredited undergraduate, graduate, technical, or trade school program at a public or private college or university, either in Hawai‘i or on the U.S. mainland.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required. A passing grade is required for trade schools or other institutions without GPA grading.
• Recipients are required to complete eight hours of community service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.
Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need and high scholastic achievement. The scholarship application is open to full and part-time students who have either applied to or are currently attending a degree-granting program or study or are registered in an associate or baccalaureate program of study at a public or private college in the State of Hawai’i or the continental U.S. Preference is given to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
• Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Enrolled part-time or full-time in a public or private undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited public or private college in the State of Hawaiʻi or the continental U.S.
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must have affiliation with Kalihi-Pālama neighborhood (96817/96819).

2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients

Eunice Anne Aggacid
Logan Agunat
Phoenix Agunat
John Eric Alonzo
Zach Ryan Apuya
Allan Jay Badua
Faith Bayawa
Mike Christian Buccat
Ryo Connery
Ziyu Dong
Raynorkazy Emmanuel
Hailey Fleming
Karla Mae Guiang
Joshua Ishigaki
Kyler Kamaka
Peyton Kimata
Je-Anne Gwyneth Kisio
Riley Lau
King Le
Salina Li
Janelle Liang
Jing Liu
Michelle Lu
Tasha Meyer
Theo Dominic Morella
Jaelyn Natividad
Christine Nguyen
Zhymmore Paguirigan
Rina Park
Shellenah Pascua
Christian Raquepo
Jasmine Lianalyn Rocha
Saylem Salavea
Motu O Salaia Salavea
Auralyn Grashiella Sales
Danielle Sales
Dayton Savea
Matthew Schwenke
Jonah Stokes
Maggie Tan
Clarisa Wegesend
Darin Wong
Nathan Wong
Calvin Wynn
Ashley Yu
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Gonzaga University
Oregon State University
University of Portland
Olivet Nazarene University
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Rhode Island School of Design
Honolulu Community College
Pacific University
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Portland
Hawaii Pacific University
Kapiolani Community College
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Gonzaga University
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Honolulu Community College
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Creighton University
Creighton University
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Chaminade University
Columbia University
Pacific University
Pacific University
Kapiolani Community College
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Pacific Lutheran University
Honolulu Community College
Hawaii Pacific University
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
University of Hawaii at Mānoa
Northeastern University
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FAQs

Who is eligible for the Palama Settlement scholarships?
All applicants must be Hawai‘i residents, demonstrate financial need, and be currently enrolled or applying to an accredited undergraduate, graduate, technical, or trade program.
Do I need to have a connection to Kalihi-Pālama?
Some scholarships give preference to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area or those who’ve participated in Palama Settlement programs.
What are the GPA requirements?
Minimum GPA varies by scholarship, ranging from 2.0 to 3.0. For trade schools without GPA systems, a passing grade is required.
Is community service required?
Yes. All recipients must complete 8 hours of service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.
When will recipients be announced?
TBD

Still have questions?

We're here to help you!

810 North Vineyard Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

Phone: (808) 845-3945
Fax: (808) 847-2873
Email: info@palamasettlement.org

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© 2025 Palama Settlement. All rights reserved.
Land Acknowledgement
Palama Settlement stands on the Native Hawaiian ancestral lands of Kapālama and Honolulu. We acknowledge that in 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani yielded the Hawaiian Kingdom under duress to prevent bloodshed. We honor the generations of Kanaka Maoli whose knowledge systems and lifeways continue to steward the ʻāina, wai, and lewa, protecting the lāhui to this day. With a deep sense of kuleana, we integrate Indigenous values and traditions into our programs and services, fostering a community rooted in respect and resilience.