Wayne James Rapozo, currently living in London, and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation announced a new scholarship fund to benefit students from Ni‘ihau, said Darcie Yukimura, the HCF philanthropic services officer, Tuesday. Rapozo, who was born and raised on Kaua‘i where
Wayne James Rapozo, currently living in London, and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation announced a new scholarship fund to benefit students from Ni‘ihau, said Darcie Yukimura, the HCF philanthropic services officer, Tuesday.
Rapozo, who was born and raised on Kaua‘i where he came to know many of the Ni‘ihau families who often spent time on Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, collaborated and consulted with the family of the late Jean Ileialoha Beniamina to create the Jean Ileialoha Beniamina Ni‘ihau Scholarship Fund, states an HCF release.
Beniamina was a Ni‘ihau native and educator, and in the days before her passing was elated when Ni‘ihau students, especially educators, graduated from Kaua‘i Community College.
This elation overflowed to KCC’s department of Hawaiian studies, whose faculty and students would host special graduation parties for the graduates.
The Beniamina Fund is among the first of its kind to provide post-secondary scholarship support specifically to Ni‘ihau students who are interested in pursuing higher education.
Beniamina, a respected and active community leader on Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i, was educated at the Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.
Prior to her passing in July, Beniamina was an outreach counselor and assistant professor at KCC, devoting her life to Hawaiian education and culture.
Rapozo, who recognized the significant role Beniamina played in the education of Ni‘ihau students, said the Beniamina Fund is to recognize and support the work and dedication of the Ni‘ihau community in emphasizing education for Ni‘ihau youth.
“Even though Wayne now lives and practices law in London, he continues to keep in contact with the Ni‘ihau community and supports a range of Ni‘ihau education initiatives,” Yukimura said.
Rapozo said the unique legacy of the Ni‘ihau community remains its significant contribution to language and culture in Hawai‘i.
“Aunty Ilei and the Ni‘ihau students she worked so hard for are proof that all of us can successfully straddle two worlds — the traditional one and the modern one that we all face today,” Rapozo said.
Ni‘ihau youth attend schools on Ni‘ihau and throughout Kaua‘i, being primarily served by four schools: Ni‘ihau public school at Pu‘uwai, Ni‘ihau; Ke Kula o Ni‘ihau o Kekaha, a charter school for Ni‘ihau students at Kekaha, Kaua‘i; Kula Aupuni Ni‘ihau A Kahelelani Aloha Public Charter School at Kekaha; and Waimea High School.
Scholarship criteria for the newly-established Beniamina Ni‘ihau Scholarship Fund include the demonstration of financial need, a minimum grade-point average of 2.7, a resident of Ni‘ihau or Kaua‘i, two letters of recommendation, and an additional essay describing family descent from and connection to Ni‘ihau.
Hanai (adoptive) relationships will be honored.
The scholarship candidate also needs to address proficiency in the Hawaiian language and list any courses or programs taken in Hawaiian language.
Proficiency in Hawaiian language is not a requirement, but preference will be given to candidates who are fluent or proficient in Hawaiian.
The online application for the fund will be available starting Dec. 6 at www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org along with more details and information.
The HCF, with more than 90 years of community service, has become the leading philanthropic institution in the state, the release states.
Its presence stretches across all of the islands and has a reach covering a broad array of fields.
The foundation works with individuals, families, foundations, businesses and organizations to transform lives and improve communities, the release states.
The foundation has provided more than $160 million in grants and contracts throughout Hawai‘i since 2000.
