Kamehameha Schools has introduced their new Pauahi Keiki Scholars scholarship program to encourage native Hawaiian parents to enroll their children in preschool. The program, under the Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation, will help to enroll Hawaiian children in qualified, non-Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools has introduced their new Pauahi Keiki Scholars scholarship program to encourage native Hawaiian parents to enroll their children in preschool.
The program, under the Ke Ali’i Pauahi Foundation, will help to enroll Hawaiian children in qualified, non-Kamehameha Schools preschools, so every Hawaiian child in need can benefit from early childhood education.
“The Pauahi Keiki Scholars program is a statewide initiative that will help KS fulfill the mission of Ke Ali’i Pauahi — to educate Native Hawaiian children throughout Hawai’i,” said Dr. Hamilton McCubbin, chief executive officer of Kamehameha Schools.
There are 6,000 Hawaiian four-year-olds in the state by KS estimates, but they only reach 1,254 students in 66 classrooms.
“There are still a great deal of unmet needs in our communities in regard to early childhood education,” said Suzanne Ramos, Kamehameha Schools’ dean of early childhood education, “Our goal is to reach more of our Hawaiian children through the Pauahi Keiki Scholars program so that they may reap the benefits of a preschool education.”
To be eligible for the program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
-Hawaiian ancestry, as defined and determined by KS
– Hawaii resident
– Accepted in preschool programs approved by KS
– Four years old by December 31 of the year of the award
– Demonstrate financial need
Parents of children who receive the scholarship must comply with following requirements:
– Child must maintain an attendance rate of 85 percent or higher
– Parents must attend all schedule parent conferences
– Participate in at least one parent workshop
– Do at least three hours of volunteer work for the preschool each quarter
– Attend a financial aid orientation workshop conducted by the KAPF prior to receiving the scholarship.
Preschools must be accredited, be in the accreditation process by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or be approved by the Kamehameha Schools Early Childhood Division. Eligible preschools must be non-profit and tax-exempt.
Kamehameha Schools will schedule informational workshops on applying for the program. For more information, please e-mail finaid@ksbe.edu or call 1-800-842-4682, ext. 8216.
