USA Scholarships
Choy-Kee 'Ohana Scholarship 2027
The Choy-Kee ʻOhana Scholarship is a Pauahi Foundation family fund that selects one full-time postsecondary student each year who can articulate a vision for addressing a major challenge facing Hawaiʻi. You need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, two recommendation letters, and a dedicated essay on what you see as Hawaiʻi's biggest problem and how you would solve it. Residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States may apply in any field of study. Pauahi gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry where the law allows. Expect the 2027-28 cycle to open October 1, 2026 and close in mid-December on the unified Pauahi portal.
What is the Choy-Kee ʻOhana Scholarship?
The Choy-Kee ʻOhana Scholarship turns Pauahi Foundation's usual checklist into a public-policy writing exercise. Instead of locking you into one major, the family fund asks you to name what you think is the most pressing problem in Hawaiʻi and walk reviewers through a solution you could help carry out. That makes the single annual award a fit for activists, future planners, health workers, educators, and technologists alike, as long as you hold a 3.0 GPA and enroll full time.
Two recommendation letters set a higher bar than funds that only need a transcript and personal statement. Pauahi wants one academic voice and one community voice, which means you should cultivate relationships with mentors who have seen you serve outside the classroom, not just earn grades.
Treat the essay like testimony before a neighborhood board: cite the problem clearly, propose steps that are realistic for a student leader, and show how your education connects to the fix. Open the portal October 1, 2026, submit by mid-December for 2027-28, and verify requirements on the Pauahi Foundation postsecondary scholarships page.
Eligibility
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✓U.S. residencyYou must be a resident of the United States. Pauahi lists this ʻohana fund for applicants in the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States.
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✓Minimum 3.0 GPAPauahi requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Upload a transcript that shows your GPA through the most recent completed term.
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✓Full-time classified enrollmentYou must enroll full time as a classified student at an accredited post-high institution for the academic year you seek funding.
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✓Undergraduate or graduate studentAssociate, bachelor's, and graduate students may apply when they meet GPA, enrollment, and essay requirements in the Pauahi guidebook.
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✓Hawaiʻi problem essaySubmit the fund essay describing what you believe is the biggest problem in Hawaiʻi and how you would solve it. Be specific about the issue, your proposed approach, and who would benefit.
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✓Two recommendation lettersProvide one letter from a teacher or counselor and one from a community organization leader who can speak to your character, achievement, and service to the broader community.
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✓Hawaiian ancestry preferencePauahi Foundation policy gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. The scholarship remains open to all eligible U.S. residents.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships One recipient per cycle
- Eligible majors Open field of study
- Enrollment Full-time classified study required
- Geographic scope Hawaiʻi and continental U.S. students
- Published dollar amount Varies with fund income
- Below 3.0 GPA Not eligible
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationSign in to the Pauahi scholarship portal when the 2027-28 cycle opens October 1, 2026. Select the Choy-Kee ʻOhana Scholarship before you submit.
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✓Hawaiʻi problem and solution essayWrite the fund-specific essay on the biggest problem in Hawaiʻi and your proposed solution. Use concrete examples and avoid vague generalities about aloha alone.
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✓Personal statement (if required)Complete any general personal statement prompts in the unified application in addition to the Choy-Kee essay.
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✓School transcriptUpload an official or unofficial transcript showing a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and your current enrollment or admission status.
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✓Teacher or counselor recommendationInvite one school-based recommender through the Pauahi system who can address academic progress and character.
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✓Community organization recommendationSecure a second letter from a community organization leader who knows your volunteer or civic work and can comment on service to the greater community.
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✓Extracurricular and service listDocument activities in the Pauahi profile so reviewers see alignment between your essay and your track record.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Choy-Kee 'Ohana Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation family scholarship that awards one grant per cycle to a full-time U.S. postsecondary student with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants write about the biggest problem in Hawaiʻi and how they would solve it.
What essay does the Choy-Kee Scholarship require?
You must address what you see as the biggest problem facing Hawaiʻi and explain how you would solve it. Pauahi expects a thoughtful, specific response beyond generic statements about caring for the islands.
Who can write my Choy-Kee recommendation letters?
Pauahi asks for one letter from a teacher or counselor and one from a community organization leader who can comment on your character, achievement, and contribution to serving the greater community.
When is the Choy-Kee 'Ohana Scholarship deadline for 2027?
Pauahi opens the 2027-28 postsecondary application on October 1, 2026. Recent cycles close in mid-December, often around December 15. Confirm the exact cutoff on the live portal.
What GPA do I need for the Choy-Kee Scholarship?
You need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Upload a transcript that shows your GPA through your latest completed term.
Can mainland students apply for the Choy-Kee Scholarship?
Yes. The fund is open to residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States. You do not need to attend a Hawaiʻi campus, but your essay should focus on a problem affecting Hawaiʻi.
How much is the Choy-Kee 'Ohana Scholarship worth?
Pauahi does not list a fixed public amount. One recipient is selected annually, and your award letter states the disbursement based on fund income and foundation policy.
Can I apply for other Pauahi scholarships at the same time?
Yes. Select every Pauahi fund you qualify for in one application. Make sure your essays and letters satisfy the strictest requirements among your choices.
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