Paubox, an email security company, recently announced 15 scholarship recipients to support Native Hawaiians in STEM and tech. 

The Scholarship

The Paubox Kahikina Scholarship, now in its sixth year, is designed to encourage Native Hawaiians in their pursuit of careers in STEM (Science, technology, Engineering, and Math) and technology-related fields. Through the scholarships, winners receive $1,000 in financial aid and access to the Paubox professional network. 

Hoala Greevy, Founder and CEO of Paubox, is a Native Hawaiian himself and continues supporting his community whenever possible. Greevy is a graduate of McKinley High School. 

By building a network of Native Hawaiians in STEM and technology, Paubox hopes to encourage innovation, support big ideas, and promote access to these careers. 

2019 inaugural winner, Nick Wong, said the scholarship is a symbol of “what it means to be a Native Hawaiian in tech,” and was thrilled to know there are companies “looking out for the younger generation and supporting their paths. 

Meet the Recipients: 

• Cashel Akana
  • High school: University Laboratory School
  • College: Oregon State University
  • Major: Mechanical Engineering
• Emele Blackmon
  • High school: Moanalua High School
  • College: Seattle University
  • Major: Biology
• Gabbie Gonzales
  • High school: Punahou School
  • College: Santa Clara University
  • Major: Biology
• Makamaenani Kaili-Kramer
  • High school: Kamehameha Schools Maui
  • College: Pacific University
  • Major: Kinesiology
• Noah Kalehuawehe
  • High school: Kamehameha Schools Maui
  • College: Santa Clara University
  • Major: Engineering – Undeclared
• Noah Kanahele
  • High school: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
  • College: Dartmouth College
  • Major: Computer Science
• Dustin Kealoha
  • High school: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
  • College: Dartmouth College
  • Double-Major: Economics and Environmental Studies
• Colton Mills
  • High school: Kauaʻi High School
  • College: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  • Major: Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aeronautics
• Brayden Morioka
  • High school: ʻIolani School
  • College: University of Michigan
  • Major: Civil Engineering
• Bronson Morioka
  • High school: ʻIolani School
  • College: University of Michigan
  • Major: Civil Engineering
• Kawika Naweli
  • High school: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
  • College: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  • Major: Computer Science
• Katelyn Onzuka
  • High school: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
  • College: Hawaii Pacific University
  • Major: Doctor of Physical Therapy (Doctorates degree)
• Alika Rigaud
  • High school: Kealakehe High School
  • College: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
  • Major: Exploratory Health Sciences (Pre-Nursing)
• Luana Sproat
  • High school: Grand Oaks High School
  • College: University of Texas at Austin
  • Major: Psychology
• Chloe Sylva
  • High school: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
  • College: UCLA (waitlisted)
  • Major: Cognitive Science

The Data

Winners met the following requirements:

• Native Hawaiian
• Pursuing a STEM-related major or Tech in general
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university
• Agreed to annually publish content on their college journey. 

While the winners are all Native Hawaiian, many will be attending colleges around the United States, including Dartmouth College, Santa Clara University, and others. 

Notably, the scholarship has its first twin winners, Brayden and Bronson Morioka, who join their older sister, Taysia Morika, as Kahikina recipients. 

Several high schools are being represented in the scholarship for the first time, including University Lab School, Kealakehe High School, Kaua’i High School, and Moanalua High School. 

Now, the scholarship has 40 active recipients and six graduates. 

The Big Picture

While Hoala Greevy still awaits a winner from his alma mater, McKinley High School, the Paubox team is excited to continue giving back. “Our mission is to become the market leader for HIPAA compliant communication. We believe the leader always gives back,” said Greevy.  

Applications for the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship are generally open in the late winter and early spring.