KILAUEA — The Kilauea Point Natural History Association Board of Directors awarded a total of $11,000 this year through an annual scholarship fund honoring the legacy of Daniel Moriarty.
The recipients include Samantha Alvarado, Emily DeVille, Mayumi Fulgencio, Shay Garcia-Yamashita, Olena Molina, and Lydia Robbins and they collectively represent the communities of Kilauea, Hanalei, Lihue, and others across the state.
“We are so honored to continue the legacy of Daniel Moriarty’s passion for conservation by supporting the education of these talented members of our community,” said Kalani Walther, KPNHA board member and scholarship committee chair.
Daniel Moriarty managed the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge from 1979 to 1990, and “his tireless efforts in restoring native vegetation and protecting seabirds were largely responsible for transforming the former lighthouse grounds and surrounding cliffs into one of the premier wildlife refuges in the world,” according to a press release.
In addition, he was an outstanding environmental educator and conservationist who played a major role in fostering a strong conservation ethic in the community,
In 1998, KPNHA endowed a scholarship fund in the memory of Daniel Moriarty and has continued to award annual scholarships in his name ever since.
Each year, students studying botany, zoology, natural history and related subjects concerning the Hawaiian environment are encouraged to apply.
“We anticipate that their work will have a profound impact upon the future of our island,” Walther said.
Scholarship awards are made possible by donations to the KPNHA Daniel Moriarty Scholarship fund and from proceeds of sales from the Nature Store at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
