LIHU‘E — Contributions from the different vendors at the Pau Hana Market at Kukui Grove Center resulted in a bonus box of assorted produce and fruits on Monday, when the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau awarded two, $1,000 scholarships.
Conner “Kekai” Kosen, a graduate of Kaua‘i High School, had to change his usual market wear to more formal attire to accept the 2021 Farm Family Scholarship award of $1,000.
“Conner, the son of Beth-Marie Anderson, and his uncle Peter Pajela, Jr., have been volunteering at Monday Pau Hana Market since we started the partnership effort with Kukui Grove back in November 2020,” said Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau President Laurie Ho.
“Conner is one of the Pajela ‘ohana, whose family members have been volunteering at the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair since Conner was in the fourth grade. The Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau has a long-standing relationship with the Pajela family,” she said.
Kosen will be heading to the Oregon Institute of Technology, where he will study computer engineering and technology.
He said he’s been participating in community-service events for at least five years, working at events like the Festival of Lights at the Historic County Building and volunteering each week to monitor the Monday Pau Hana Market.
Keali‘imalu “Malu” Ka‘awa, a graduate of Waimea High School, was announced as the recipient of the 2021 Agricultural Scholarship.
The son of Francis and Ranelle Ka‘awa of Lawa‘i, the younger Ka‘awa will be attending the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa studying natural environmental sciences with a focus on local food security and sustainability.
Ka‘awa was involved in the Waimea High School JROTC, and the JROTC Raiders program during his years at Waimea High School. He also participated in a number of sports.
Traditionally, funds for the scholarships come largely through the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair.
However, due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, this is the second consecutive year the popular family event will not be held, Ho said.
The Monday Pau Hana Market is a partnership with the KCFB and KGC, held each Monday from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
