Lau Maiʻa Scholarship

Lau Maiʻa Scholarship

Funder: Purple Maiʻa Foundation (Hawaiʻi-based education technology nonprofit)

Award Amount: $1,000 per recipient

Geographic Scope: United States (2-year or 4-year colleges/universities)

Purpose

Supports graduating high school seniors who are curious, thoughtful, and motivated by more than just personal success. The scholarship is designed for students who:
• Tinker, ask questions, notice problems, and try to make things better
• Care deeply about ʻāina (land), kaiāulu (community), or lāhui (people)
• Think about who their skills are meant to serve
• Value clarity over polish, growth over perfection, and community responsibility over individual achievement

Symbolism

Inspired by references in 19th-century nūpepa ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, lau maiʻa (banana leaves) symbolize nourishment, growth, and protection. Historically used as lāʻau lapaʻau to encase the body and support healing, reflecting the foundation's hope that this scholarship provides both practical support and encouragement as students grow into community-serving leaders.

Focus Areas

Students pursuing post-secondary degrees in:
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Business
• Mathematics
• Science-related fields

Service Commitment

Recipients must complete 40 hours of volunteer service during the summer following their first year of college (Summer 2027). Service may be:
• Completed in person or remotely
• With a community-serving organization
• Should reflect care for ʻāina, kaiāulu, or lāhui
• Viewed as an opportunity to apply learning in service of real people and communities (not a requirement to "check off")

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:
• Be a current high school senior
• Plan to enroll in a 2-year or 4-year college or university in the United States
• Intend to pursue a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Mathematics, or a science-related field
• Commit to completing 40 hours of volunteer service during the summer following their freshman year
• Demonstrate a record of community involvement or efforts to uplift ʻāina, kaiāulu, or lāhui (formal or informal)

Important Dates

• Application Opens: January 23, 2026
• Application Closes: May 15, 2026