USA Scholarships
Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship 2027
The Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship is a Pauahi Foundation endowed fund for classified full-time students who want careers in social work, social sciences, or ministry and can show real financial need. Pauahi asks for a 3.0 cumulative GPA, enrollment at an accredited two- or four-year college in Hawaiʻi or the continental United States, and essays that explain both your calling and your financial story. You also submit two recommendations (one teacher, one community or religious leader), the Student and Parent Form, W-2s, and federal tax returns for the tax year the live portal lists. The guidebook funds one award per cycle and gives preference to applicants who do not reside on Oʻahu, with Hawaiian ancestry preference under foundation policy. Select this fund in the 2027-2028 application opening October 1, 2026 and closing December 1, 2026.
What is the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship?
The Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship targets students who want to work in people-centered fields rather than chase a generic merit trophy. Social work, social sciences, and ministry paths all qualify, which gives you room if your program blends counseling, community development, or faith-based service. Pauahi still expects a solid 3.0 GPA and full-time classified enrollment at an accredited college in Hawaiʻi or on the mainland.
What sets this fund apart is the essay pairing. You explain your vocational calling and how traits like faith, friendship, humor, sincerity, and a servant's heart already show up in your life, then you document financial need the same way you would for other Pauahi hardship scholarships. Two recommendation letters matter here: one teacher and one leader from a community or religious organization who can speak to character and service.
Only one student receives the award each cycle, so files need to be complete early. Pauahi gives preference to applicants who do not live on Oʻahu, and Hawaiian ancestry preference applies where law allows. Open the portal October 1, 2026, select the Randy Wayne Ahuna fund with any other Pauahi awards you qualify for, and submit by December 1 for 2027-2028 support.
Eligibility
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✓Social work, social sciences, or ministry majorPursue a degree in social work, social sciences, or ministry or a closely related vocation path. Your transcript and essay should show how the major connects to service careers Pauahi lists for this fund.
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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 through your most recently completed term.
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✓Classified full-time enrollmentEnroll full time as a classified undergraduate or graduate student in a degree-seeking program at an accredited two- or four-year institution in Hawaiʻi or the continental U.S. that Kamehameha Schools recognizes.
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✓Demonstrated financial needComplete Pauahi's financial hardship essay and submit the Student and Parent Form, applicable W-2s, and federal income tax returns so reviewers can verify need against fund income.
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✓Commitment to community serviceShow through activities, recommendations, and your vocation essay that you contribute to the greater community with time, talent, and a servant's heart.
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✓U.S. residencyApply as a U.S. resident enrolled at an eligible accredited institution. Pauahi lists preference for applicants not residing on Oʻahu; neighbor-island and mainland students often fit that preference.
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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 applicants who meet GPA, major, and need criteria.
Benefits
- Number of scholarships One recipient per cycle
- Need-based support Disbursement tied to verified need
- Eligible majors Social work, social sciences, ministry
- Study levels Undergraduate and graduate
- Institution location Accredited HI or continental U.S. college
- Published fixed stipend Amount varies with fund income
- Non-eligible majors STEM-only or unrelated fields
Document checklist
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✓Pauahi Foundation online applicationRegister when the 2027-2028 cycle opens October 1, 2026. Select the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship and complete shared profile sections.
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✓Vocation and character essayDescribe why you are pursuing social work, social sciences, or ministry and how you already live out faith, friendship, sense of humor, sincerity, and willingness to assist others.
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✓Financial hardship essayAnswer Pauahi's prompt to describe financial circumstances or hardships you have faced, including challenges on your path to college and strategies or resources that helped you manage them.
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✓Two letters of recommendationSubmit one letter from a teacher and one from a community or religious organization leader who can speak to your character, achievement, and service to the community.
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✓Student and Parent FormComplete Pauahi's financial worksheet for the cycle year alongside your tax uploads.
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✓Federal tax returns and W-2sProvide applicable Form W-2s and the federal income tax return for the tax year the live application checklist specifies.
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✓School transcriptUpload an official or unofficial transcript showing at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and classified enrollment status.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship?
It is a Pauahi Foundation endowed scholarship that funds one need-based award per cycle for full-time students majoring in social work, social sciences, or ministry. Applicants submit vocation and financial essays plus standard Pauahi tax documentation.
What GPA do I need for the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship?
Pauahi requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Your transcript should reflect grades through your most recently completed term.
Who gets preference for the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship?
The Pauahi guidebook gives preference to applicants who do not reside on Oʻahu. Foundation policy also gives preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
What majors qualify for the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship?
Eligible fields include social work, social sciences, and ministry or related vocational study. Your application essay should connect your major to service in those areas.
What essays does the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship require?
You submit a vocation essay on why you chose social work, social sciences, or ministry and how you practice faith, friendship, humor, sincerity, and service. You also complete Pauahi's standard financial hardship essay.
When is the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship deadline for 2027?
Pauahi opens the 2027-2028 postsecondary application on October 1, 2026 and closes it on December 1, 2026. Confirm timestamps on the live portal before you file.
How many Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship awards are given?
The Pauahi community scholarship listing funds one award per cycle. The dollar amount depends on fund income and the recipient's verified financial need.
Can graduate students apply for the Randy Wayne Ahuna Scholarship?
Yes. Classified full-time undergraduate and graduate students may apply when they meet the 3.0 GPA, major, need, and documentation requirements in the Pauahi guidebook.
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