USA Scholarships
M.E. Bacon Aloha 'Aina Scholarship 2027 - Hawaii
The M.E. Bacon, KS ''72 Uncle Herb and Kupuna Lehua Lee-Loy Weatherwax Aloha ''Aina Scholarship backs certificate and vocational students who steward Hawaiʻi''s land and waters. Pauahi Foundation administers the endowed fund for technical programs in environmental science, agriculture, oceanography, or Hawaiian language, culture, and history. You must hold at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, show community service or extracurricular involvement, and complete the required essay in the unified portal. Kalapana residents receive first consideration; Hilo residents and students who want to become mahi''ai receive special consideration, and Pauahi gives preference to Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. U.S. residents apply when the 2027-2028 postsecondary cycle opens October 1, 2026 and closes December 1, 2026.
What is the M.E. Bacon Aloha 'Aina Scholarship?
M.E. Bacon and his Kamehameha Schools Class of 1972 classmates named this Pauahi Foundation fund for Uncle Herb and Kupuna Lehua Lee-Loy Weatherwax because land care and cultural knowledge belong in the same sentence. The scholarship is built for certificate and vocational students, not just four-year degree seekers chasing a traditional major list.
Your program should touch Hawaiʻi's environment, agriculture, oceanography, or Hawaiian language, culture, and history. A 2.0 GPA is enough to enter the pool, but reviewers still want to see you show up in the community through service or extracurricular work. Kalapana residents stand at the front of the line; Hilo residents and students who want to become mahi'ai farmers get extra attention, and Pauahi may prefer Hawaiian ancestry where the law allows.
Everything runs through the same postsecondary portal as hundreds of other Pauahi funds. Open your file October 1, 2026, finish the essay, and submit before December 1, 2026 for 2027-2028 funding. Pair this guide with the Class of 2020 Aloha 'Aina Scholarship 2027 if you are on a full-time degree track instead. Official listings sit on Pauahi postsecondary scholarships.
Eligibility
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✓Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPABigFuture and Pauahi listings require at least a 2.0 GPA. Upload a transcript that shows you meet the floor at the time you apply.
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✓Technical, vocational, or certificate programYou must pursue a professional certification or one-year certificate rather than a standard four-year degree track alone. Programs in Hawaiʻi environment, agriculture, oceanography, or Hawaiian language, culture, and history fit the fund purpose.
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✓Community college or certificate enrollmentPublished grade levels include community college freshmen and sophomores plus certificate seekers. Confirm your program type matches the Pauahi guidebook listing before you select this fund.
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✓Community service or extracurricular activitiesDocument service and activities in the Pauahi profile. Land stewardship clubs, farm internships, or cultural organizations strengthen your file.
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✓Kalapana, Hilo, or farmer preferenceResidents of Kalapana receive first consideration. Residents of Hilo and students who want to become mahi'ai (farmers) also receive special consideration in committee review.
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✓U.S. residencyYou must be a resident of the United States. Pauahi postsecondary funds often include mainland students when other criteria align.
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✓Preference for Hawaiian ancestryPauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Non-Hawaiian applicants remain eligible when they meet program and GPA rules.
Benefits
- Eligible pathways Technical, vocational, 1-year certificate
- Study focus Hawaiʻi environment, ag, ocean, culture
- Enrollment intensity Full-time or part-time listed
- Essay-based review Required essay in portal
- Published dollar amount Varies with fund income
- Four-year bachelor's only Not the primary pathway
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationRegister when the 2027-2028 cycle opens October 1, 2026 and select the M.E. Bacon KS '72 Uncle Herb and Kupuna Lehua Lee-Loy Weatherwax Aloha 'Aina Scholarship.
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✓Required essay responseComplete the essay prompt tied to this fund inside the unified application. Connect your certificate path to aloha 'aina and the fields named in the listing.
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✓Most recent transcriptUpload official or unofficial transcripts showing at least a 2.0 GPA and enrollment in your technical or certificate program.
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✓Activities and service summaryList extracurricular roles, farm work, conservation projects, or cultural practice that support your application narrative.
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✓Letter of recommendation (KS seniors only)Current Kamehameha Schools high school seniors must submit one recommender letter through Pauahi. Other applicants follow the checklist for their student type.
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✓Proof of Kalapana or Hilo ties if applicableIf you claim Kalapana or Hilo preference, be ready to explain residency or community connection honestly in your personal statement.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the M.E. Bacon Aloha 'Aina Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation endowed fund from Kamehameha Schools Class of 1972 alumni honoring Uncle Herb and Kupuna Lehua Lee-Loy Weatherwax. The scholarship supports technical, vocational, or certificate students focused on Hawaiʻi's environment, agriculture, oceanography, or Hawaiian language, culture, and history.
Who gets preference for the Bacon Aloha 'Aina award?
Kalapana residents receive first consideration. Hilo residents and students who want to become mahi'ai (farmers) also receive special consideration. Pauahi gives preference to Hawaiian ancestry where law allows.
What GPA do I need for the Bacon KS '72 scholarship?
You need at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA according to BigFuture and Pauahi listings. Stronger grades help your overall Pauahi profile but the published floor is 2.0.
Can part-time students apply for the Bacon Aloha 'Aina fund?
Yes. BigFuture lists full-time or part-time enrollment for this scholarship, unlike many Pauahi funds that require full-time study only.
When is the Bacon Aloha 'Aina deadline for 2027?
Plan on an October 1, 2026 opening and a December 1, 2026 close for the 2027-2028 Pauahi postsecondary cycle. Confirm dates on pauahi.org before you submit.
Do mainland students qualify for the Bacon Aloha 'Aina scholarship?
You must be a U.S. resident. Many Pauahi funds accept mainland students when program focus and preferences align, though Kalapana and Hilo ties apply only to qualifying applicants.
Is the Bacon Aloha 'Aina scholarship need-based?
BigFuture classifies it as not need-based and not merit-based in the traditional GPA sense. The essay, program fit, activities, and stated preferences drive selection.
How does the Bacon fund differ from the Class of 2020 Aloha 'Aina Scholarship?
The Class of 2020 fund targets full-time undergraduate or graduate degree seekers with a creative aloha 'aina essay. The Bacon KS '72 fund emphasizes certificate and vocational pathways in specific Hawaiʻi-focused fields with Kalapana and farmer preferences.
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