USA Scholarships
Johnny Pineapple Scholarship 2027 - Pauahi
The Johnny Pineapple Scholarship is a Pauahi Foundation merit fund for full-time postsecondary students who maintain at least a 3.5 GPA while pursuing Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies. You write an essay on your community service, including organizations, hours or length of service, and how you plan to keep benefiting the Hawaiian community. Two letters of recommendation from school staff, community organization leaders, or religious leaders who can speak to your character and service complete the file. Residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States may apply, and Pauahi gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. Pauahi lists two awards for this fund. Select it in the 2027-2028 application opening October 1, 2026 and closing around December 15, 2026.
What is the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship?
The Johnny Pineapple Scholarship sits in Pauahi Foundation's long list of family funds, but the criteria are narrow on purpose. Reviewers want full-time students who already excel in Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies, hold at least a 3.5 GPA, and can point to real hours serving the Hawaiian community, not a single weekend project.
Your essay carries the story. Name the organizations you worked with, quantify your time, and explain what you will do next so your degree strengthens lāhui outcomes. Two recommendation letters from school, community, or religious mentors give Pauahi independent proof that your service matches your transcript.
Up to two scholars receive awards each cycle, with preference for Hawaiian ancestry where the law allows. Mainland students qualify as long as they meet residency, GPA, and major rules. Open the unified portal October 1, 2026, select Johnny Pineapple alongside any other Pauahi funds you fit, and submit by mid-December for 2027-2028 support.
Eligibility
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✓U.S. residencyYou must be a resident of the United States. Pauahi lists the Johnny Pineapple fund for applicants in the State of Hawaiʻi and on the continental United States enrolled at accredited institutions.
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✓Minimum 3.5 GPAPauahi requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Upload a transcript that shows your GPA through the most recent completed term.
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✓Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies majorYou must pursue a degree in Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies as your primary field. Declare the major on your transcript or enrollment records before you apply.
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✓Full-time classified enrollmentYou must enroll full time as a classified undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited post-high institution for the academic year you seek funding.
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✓Community service track recordShow ongoing community service or related volunteer work. Your essay must name organizations, describe hours or length of service, and explain how you will continue benefiting the Hawaiian 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 who meet GPA and major requirements.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships Up to two recipients per cycle
- Eligible majors Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies
- Enrollment Full-time classified study required
- Merit selection GPA and service essay weighted
- Published dollar cap Varies with fund income
- Non-Hawaiian studies majors Not eligible
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationSign in when the 2027-2028 cycle opens October 1, 2026. Select the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship and complete shared profile sections.
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✓Community service essayDescribe your involvement in community service, including organization names, number of hours or length of volunteer service, and how you intend to continue benefiting the Hawaiian community.
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✓First recommendation letterSubmit one letter from a school official, community organization leader, or religious leader who can comment on your overall character, achievement, and contribution to serving the greater community.
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✓Second recommendation letterProvide a second letter from a different school, community, or religious mentor so reviewers see two independent perspectives on your service and character.
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✓School transcriptUpload an official or unofficial transcript showing at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, Hawaiian studies or language enrollment, and full-time status or admission.
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✓Extracurricular and service profileList volunteer projects and activities in the Pauahi profile so your essay numbers match documented entries.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation merit scholarship that awards up to two grants per cycle to full-time U.S. postsecondary students with at least a 3.5 GPA who major in Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies and document community service benefiting the Hawaiian community.
What GPA do I need for the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship?
Pauahi requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Upload a transcript that shows your GPA through your latest completed term.
What majors qualify for the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship?
You must pursue Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies as your primary field. Other majors are not eligible for this fund even if you take Hawaiian courses as electives.
What essay does the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship require?
You describe your community service involvement, including organizations, hours or length of volunteer service, and how you intend to continue benefiting the Hawaiian community. Pauahi treats this as a required fund essay inside the portal.
When is the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship deadline for 2027?
Pauahi opens the 2027-2028 postsecondary application on October 1, 2026. Recent cycles close in mid-December, often around December 15. Confirm the exact cutoff on the live portal.
How many Johnny Pineapple scholarships are awarded each year?
Pauahi's scholarship listing shows two awards for this fund in the current guidebook data. Award amounts vary with fund income and are stated in your notification letter.
Can mainland students apply for the Johnny Pineapple Scholarship?
Yes. The fund is open to residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and the continental United States. You must still major in Hawaiian language or Hawaiian studies and meet the 3.5 GPA requirement.
Who should write my Johnny Pineapple recommendation letters?
Pauahi asks for two letters from school officials, community organization leaders, or religious leaders who can comment on your overall character, achievement, and contribution to serving the greater community.
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