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Scholarships

Did you know? Since 1998, Palama Settlement has offered scholarships to help local students achieve their educational goals. Thanks to generous annual gifts from private foundations and individual donors, our scholarship program has awarded more than $1 million in assistance since 1998, helping over 400 youth further their education. Palama Settlement awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to 34 students in Fall 2024-Spring 2025 school year, the highest amount awarded in a single school year, to date!

Applications for the Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 academic year are now CLOSED!

We’re excited to announce that the application period for our Scholarship Program is now closed! Thank you to everyone who applied. We were impressed by the passion, dedication, and drive shown by all the applicants. The selection process will now begin, and we look forward to reviewing all the submissions.

Stay tuned as we announce the scholarship recipients in JUNE! We are thrilled to be able to support the educational journeys of these incredible individuals. Thank you again to everyone who participated!

For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help!

AC Barut Scholarship

The AC Barut Scholarship is made possible through the generous, continued support of private donations. The scholarship application is open to students who are enrolled full- or part-time, or applying for admission, to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawai‘i or on the U.S. mainland. Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need and high scholastic achievement. Preference is given to students from the Kalihi-Pālama area.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Must have affiliation with Kalihi-Pālama neighborhood (96817/96819).
  • Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
  • Enrolled full- or part-time, or applying for admission, to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawai‘i or on the U.S. mainland.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
  • Recipients must complete eight hours of community service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.

Theodore Tadashi “Big Boy” Cruz Scholarship

The Theodore Tadashi “Big Boy” Cruz Scholarship is made possible through the generous, continued support of private donations in loving memory of Theodore Tadashi “Big Boy” Cruz. This scholarship is open to full- or part-time students who are applying to or currently attending a degree-granting program of study in an associate degree program, technical school, trade school, or undergraduate program in the State of Hawai’i or on the continental U.S. The public or private college or university must be accredited by either the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) or the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). Trade schools should be appropriately accredited.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Must demonstrate financial need.
  • Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
  • Currently enrolled (full-time or part-time) or in the process of applying to an accredited undergraduate, technical, or trade school program at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawai‘i or on the continental U.S.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. For trade schools or other institutions without GPA grading, a passing grade is required.
  • Recipients must complete eight hours of community service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.

Blackfield & Friends Education Scholarship

The Blackfield & Friends Education Scholarship is made possible by the generous support of the Kosasa Foundation and ABC Stores. The scholarship application is open to students enrolled full- or part-time, or applying for admission, to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawai‘i or on the U.S. continent. Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need, scholastic achievement, and participation in Palama Settlement’s program or affiliation with the Kalihi-Palama(96817/96819) neighborhood.

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Must have participated in a Palama Settlement program or have a connection to the Kalihi-Pālama neighborhood (ZIP codes 96817 or 96819).
  • Enrolled full- or part-time, or applying for admission, to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawai‘i or on the continental U.S.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Recipients must complete eight hours of community service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.

Hannah Cochrane College Scholarship

The Hannah Cochrane College Scholarship is made possible through a private foundation donation in honor of Ms. Hannah Cochrane, a dear friend of Mrs. Cecilia Blackfield. Selection and determination of this award is based on a student’s financial need, high scholastic achievement, and participation in community service. The scholarship application is open to full- and part-time students who have either applied to or are currently attending a degree-granting program of study, or are registered in an associate or baccalaureate program of study at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawaiʻi. The public or private college or university must be accredited by either the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) or the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). 

Qualification Criteria
All applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Resident of the state of Hawaiʻi.
  • Enrolled full- or part-time, or applying for admission, to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawai‘i.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
  • Recipients must complete eight hours of community service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.

Rath Family Scholarship

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 in a public or private undergraduate or graduate program in an accredited public or private college or university in the state of Hawaiʻi or the continental U.S. 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.
  • Enrolled full- or part-time, or applying for admission, to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a public or private college or university in the State of Hawai‘i or the continental U.S.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Recipients must complete eight hours of community service at Palama Settlement for every $1,000 awarded.

Reuben S F Wong Endowed Scholarship

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 Hawaii

– 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.

David C. Ai Charitable Trust Scholarship

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 Hawaii.

– 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.

For more information

Scholarship Committee
p. (808) 848-2501  |  e. scholarships@palamasettlement.org 

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