Scholarship

Chaminade’s Hawaiʻi Guarantee is More than a Promise; It’s a Pact

August 28, 2026

When Nanea Chu was gearing up to graduate from Parker High School on Hawaiʻi Island, she knew she wanted to continue her education at college but didn’t necessarily have a school in her home state in mind. Nanea was actually considering going someplace much farther away, unsure if she could bear the cost of studying in her home state.

“I was going to go to Rhode Island for school,” she said.

Nanea said she was considering attending the Rhode Island School of Design, an institution with high tuition rates but in a state with a lower cost of living. Depending on the aid package, traveling all the way to Providence for college could have ended up being cheaper than staying in Hawaiʻi.

“I didn’t think that I would be able to afford it if I chose to stay here,” she said.

Layla Becker also knew she wanted to go to college following her graduation from James Campbell High School. She initially zeroed in on two private universities on Oʻahu. It was a toss-up, but a trusted advisor recommended she give Chaminade a closer look.

“I only applied to two schools originally,” Layla said. “I had an environmental science teacher in high school who was talking to me a bunch about college and he recommended Chaminade to me because he had family that went.”

There were, of course, a lot of other factors to consider, yet both Layla and Nanea ultimately chose to study at Chaminade University of Honolulu, in part due to the university’s new Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship, a commitment the university launched the year they both applied.

Now in its fourth year, the Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship is helping new generations of Hawaiʻi students afford a Chaminade University education.

The Guarantee is a promise the university makes to resident first-time college students graduating from local high schools. The admissions and financial aid offices work with enrolling students to ensure that the tuition rate these incoming students pay matches the institutional in-state tuition rate residents would pay to go to public universities.

It’s one way Chaminade University is striving to be as accessible as possible, understanding why it’s important that Hawaiʻi high school graduates have the option to pursue a Chaminade education regardless of means.

The Guarantee works in tandem with the university’s efforts to ensure students graduate in four years, keeping costs down while helping everyone in the Chaminade family pursue their dreams and goals without unnecessary delay or expense. Today, Chaminade University boasts the state’s highest four-year graduation rate.

Both Nanea and Layla said Chaminade’s Hawaiʻi Guarantee program played a significant role in swaying their decisions to stay in the state and attend the university. They agree that the next wave of graduating high school seniors in Hawaiʻi should give the Guarantee a closer look.

“I would definitely recommend Chaminade,” Layla said.

A private university education at an in-state public price

Chaminade University is Hawaiʻi’s only private Catholic university. We fulfill the Marianist mission of promoting personal and community well-being through education, and we are particularly committed to serving Native Hawaiians and residents of the state even as we welcome students, staff, and faculty from everywhere.

The school’s devotion to serving Hawaiʻi is what ultimately inspired the Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship program. Both Nanea and Layla are on course to graduate at the end of the current academic year. Now seniors, they are among the first cohort of students to receive Chaminade’s Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship.

As noted earlier, the Guarantee is a sort of pact Chaminade makes with qualifying students. Through the Guarantee, Chaminade University will work to match Hawaiʻi’s in-state tuition rate for any qualifying local first-year student.

Incoming students apply for the Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship by first submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Via the Guarantee, Chaminade will adjust students’ tuition rates after institutional aid is factored in to ensure that what the students pay matches in-state public university tuition costs. The adjusted tuition rate only rises when the in-state tuition rate goes up.

It’s a big deal–the Guarantee can bring annual tuition costs down by as much as two-thirds.

All Hawaiʻi graduating high school seniors, incoming university freshmen, and first-time Hawaiʻi college students are eligible for Chaminade’s Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship. Applicants must be seeking their first bachelor’s degree and enroll as full-time students.

In addition, all majors are eligible, with the exception of Chaminade’s nursing degree programs. The scholarship is also renewable for three years.

For Nanea, the Guarantee meant she could choose to stay close to home and avoid relocating thousands of miles away to study her chosen field, which was graphic design at the time she was shopping for colleges. She later switched her major to interior design, impressed by Chaminade’s tough but excellent interior design program.

“It takes a lot of discipline and you can’t procrastinate whatsoever really, or it’ll really catch up to you,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Layla said the Guarantee helped convince her to choose Chaminade over other universities to pursue a degree in criminal justice.

Nanea said Chaminade’s Hawaiʻi Guarantee “definitely was a big factor in staying here” versus flying off to the mainland.

Layla said it was the same with her, even after she learned that she could couple the scholarship with Veterans Affairs benefits she qualified for through her father’s service in the military.

“It piqued my interest and I definitely was more persuaded to choose Chaminade because at the time I didn’t know I qualified for VA benefits,” Layla shared.

Peace of mind in pursuit of knowledge

With an up to two-thirds decrease in tuition costs, the Guarantee is significant and designed to give every Hawaiʻi resident a chance at being a part of the Chaminade University community.

As the university says on its Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship website, “We’re giving you and your family financial peace of mind, so you can focus on achieving your goals and stepping into your future with confidence and purpose.”

Abigail Hurgo, Chaminade’s assistant vice president of enrollment management, told KHON TV in a recent interview that the Hawaiʻi Guarantee Scholarship is an important program the university is proud to offer because “it makes it affordable for students to have a great private education here at Chaminade.”

As some of the first students to receive the award, both Nanea and Layla wholeheartedly agree.

“It’s helped me a lot because, besides tuition, I did choose to dorm for two years on campus and that actually brought down the overall cost by a lot for me,” Layla said. “So, I got to experience more as a college student.”

Likewise, Nanea said the new opportunity to pursue her studies at Chaminade at the in-state tuition rate saved her from having to make a very tough decision–leaving the state. It’s a decision she said a lot of graduating high school seniors in Hawaiʻi are forced to consider if they choose to continue on to college.

“I didn’t want to have to go away, obviously,” Nanea explained. “I was really avoiding it, but when it really comes down to it, I feel like a lot of locals are pushed out towards the mainland because of money costs, especially when it comes to school.”

The Guarantee completely changed the equation for her, Nanea said. “Having an opportunity like that is super important.”

A Head Start on Life: Chaminade University’s Early College Program

August 28, 2026

While still finishing high school, Tiare Wong earned her associate’s degree at Chaminade—and discovered she was ready for college.

For most high school students, graduation means closing one chapter before beginning another.

For Tiare Wong, it meant earning two diplomas at once, something not all high school students are prepared to do.

This past spring, Wong graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy while simultaneously earning an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree through Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Early College Program. Now, she is preparing to head to the University of Oregon—with enough college credits to enter as a third-year student.

She already has an early jump on college, but Wong’s journey was about more than getting ahead academically.

Chaminade’s Early College Program, she said, taught her how to manage her time, take responsibility for her own education, and navigate the expectations of college-level coursework—all while she was still balancing the busy life of a high school student.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to get a head start on what being a college student feels like,” Wong said. “I wanted to learn what it was like to be responsible and to have good time management.”

That lesson happened to come at a busy time in her life.

At Sacred Hearts Academy, Wong played volleyball for three years before switching to cheerleading as a senior. She served as president of the school’s Life Team, danced hula, and stayed active in numerous other ways throughout her high school years.

Somehow, she still found time to earn a college degree.

Wong first learned about Chaminade’s Early College Program when Sacred Hearts announced the opportunity near the end of her sophomore year. The program allows eligible high school students to enroll in college courses and earn Chaminade credits while completing their high school requirements.

“Tiare is one of many success stories at Sacred Hearts,” said Kimberlee Baxter, Director of Chaminade’s Early College program. “She learned a lot even outside academics, such as time management and life skills. The idea of the program is to get ahead with college, earn college credit, and experience more.”

Kapaʻa High on Kauai was the first high school to partner with Chaminade’s Early College program in the fall of 2021. Since then, Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School joined, and several cohorts have already risen through the program, with 108 students between all three schools currently enrolled.

Students from any Hawaiʻi high school are eligible to participate. Enrolled high school students take a variety of general education courses, including English, communications, business, psychology, and religion.

For Wong, the program became an opportunity to experience the increased independence that comes with college and, in her case, earning a college degree.

“I feel like I got a little taste of what being a college student is like and what the expectations are, especially from my professors,” she said. “I had to learn how to be responsible for myself.”

Assistant Professor of English Justyn Wyble has been teaching for the Early College Program for two years. He said students in the program are adept at rising to the occasion, taking college level courses all while maintaining positive and joyful attitudes.

One of his courses involves reading “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyashi, “Night Watchmen” by Louise Erdrich, and “House of Many Gods” by Kiana Davenport, works selected because of their introspective storylines that intersect generations while drawing connections to students’ own journeys.

“They are eager for that kind of rigorous curriculum and they want to be treated like college students,” Wyble said of the Early College students. “They are ready to be mature students who can engage in advanced material.”

When a question arose in a course, Tiare learned she had to reach out. If an assignment was due, there was no one waiting to remind her repeatedly. She learned to be proactive in her own education.

“I really had to step up and grow up to learn how to do things myself,” she said, noting how she used study halls and breaks after school before heading to practices and then setting aside additional time to study at home.

The experience also challenged some of her assumptions about college.

Wong had heard stories about intimidating professors and demanding college classrooms. At Chaminade, she found something quite different. Her professors, she said, took the time to interact with their students and get to know them.

She admits to feeling some nerves about moving so far from home this fall–and she has never been to Oregon. But she is also excited about what comes next—and about continuing hula and joining the university’s Hawaiʻi Club.

Wong said her long-term goal is to start her own business and maybe become the CEO of a company, expanding her enterprise internationally.

For high school students considering Chaminade’s Early College Program, Wong has one simple piece of advice: Go for it.

“I think it’s so much more than the diploma,” she said. “It taught me so many life lessons that I will not only use in college, but in the future.”

One Phone Call Changed Adrianna’s Future

August 18, 2026

Empowered by You

When Adrianna Nichols called Chaminade University from her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she wasn’t expecting the conversation that would change her life. She had planned to attend a university in Florida, but the cost made that dream impossible. Looking for another option, she called Chaminade to ask a simple question: Was it too late to apply?

“They answered on the first ring,” Adrianna recalled. “Right away, I felt welcomed.”

That moment marked the beginning of a journey made possible through a Presidential Scholarship—and shaped by a community that believed in her potential.

At Chaminade, Adrianna majored in Business Administration with a minor in Sport and Event Management. She immersed herself in campus life, serving for four years as the Men’s Basketball Undergraduate Manager, supporting athletic operations, and helping plan Commencement ceremonies.

Along the way, faculty and staff mentors encouraged her to take on new responsibilities and discover her strengths as a leader.

“The smaller environment allowed me to build meaningful relationships, receive mentorship, and have opportunities to get involved that may not have been possible elsewhere,” she said.

Adrianna graduated in May 2026 and today is the Stadium Operations Intern at the University of Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium, where she helps coordinate athletic competitions and large-scale events. She has also worked with NBC Universal during Minnesota Lynx broadcasts and supported fan experiences with the nationally touring Cosmic Baseball team.

Her long-term goal is to become a collegiate athletic director or professional sports executive, leading with the belief that student-athletes are people first.

“I want to create environments where athletes feel supported as students and as individuals—not just competitors.”

Beyond her professional aspirations, Adrianna continues to serve in leadership roles at her home church in Minnesota, mentoring children, teens, and young adults while sharing her faith.

Looking back, Adrianna says the opportunities she found at Chaminade began with people who believed in her.

That belief started with a scholarship.

And it continues today through donors whose generosity empowers students to discover their purpose, lead with compassion, and make a difference wherever life takes them. Donations to Chaminadeʻs Fund, means the University is able to allocate unrestricted funds to vital needs that support and empower students. Unrestricted funds are vital to Chaminade’s growth and students’ success. Like Adrianna, today’s students, at different stages in their educational journeys, are grateful for Chaminade’s belief in their abilities and for the generosity of donors.

Every gift to the Chaminade Fund helps create stories. Click here to support the journey of students like Adrianna.

From Submarines to Psychology: Chaminade Student Named 2026 Tillman Scholar

July 13, 2026

Before beginning her doctoral studies at Chaminade University, Lauren Jacobs spent nine years as a U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer, serving in one of the first cohorts of women assigned to submarines. A 2013 graduate of the Naval Academy, Jacobs is dedicated to military service, which sparked a passion for supporting those facing mental health challenges and inspired her to pursue a career in forensic psychology.

Today, Jacobs is a doctoral candidate in Chaminade’s Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program, where she also serves as Student Association President. Expected to graduate in May 2027, she has focused her clinical training on working with adults experiencing serious mental illness within the criminal justice system. In recognition of her leadership, service, and commitment to creating positive change, Jacobs was recently named a 2026 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation. We recently connected with her to learn more about her journey, her passion for serving others, and her goals for the future.

Where is your hometown?

I grew up in Plano, Texas, and my husband and I have called Kailua home for the last seven years.

Why did you choose the Naval Academy?

Looking back, applying to and choosing to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA) was a big decision for a teenager. I wanted to be part of something greater than myself and to join a community of like-minded people. Academics and athletics were both mainstays of my high school life: I played volleyball and ran track competitively while earning an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, so I wanted a college experience that valued academics, athletics, and leadership in equal measure.

Why did you choose Chaminade for your doctorate degree?

My husband Andrew and I were stationed on Oʻahu in 2019 and completely fell in love with living here. We’ve been lucky to build a wonderful community of friends and family over the years, so when it came time to go back to school, I knew I wanted to stay. Chaminade’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program within the Hawai’i School of Professional Psychology (HSPP) offers a generalist education with an emphasis on cultural humility and adaptability to the diverse patient populations across the islands. I was drawn to both the variety and the depth of training the program provides.

What has your experience at Chaminade been like?

I would not trade my time at Chaminade for anything. Chaminade’s HSPP has passionate faculty and staff who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and prioritize mentoring psychologists in training. The clinical training I’ve received has been thorough enough to make me competitive with psychology interns across the United States and Canada. Providing much-needed psychological services to Hawaiʻi residents while completing our coursework has been deeply meaningful to me. My mentors and supervisors have been some of the best I’ve had the privilege to work with, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Many of my classmates in the program have also become lifelong friends, and that community is one I truly cherish.

How did you hear about the Tillman Foundation?

At USNA, we learned about Pat Tillman’s story in our ethics, leadership, and professional development courses. Over the years, I heard more about the Tillman Foundation’s work as it grew, and I watched several of my USNA classmates and submarine colleagues get selected as Tillman Scholars. Their example inspired me to apply.

What does being a Tillman Scholar mean?

To me, being a Tillman Scholar means choosing service to our communities as a guiding value, often above personal ambition and comfort. Switching career paths from Nuclear Submarine Officer to Clinical Psychologist was never going to be an easy road, but it felt imperative to put my experience and talents toward making a positive difference in my community, no matter how small the impact. I’m grateful the Tillman Foundation saw value in that sacrifice and in the goals behind it.

Are you working while going to school?

I’ve worked as a teaching assistant for several courses in the PsyD program, alongside completing our academic and research obligations. A unique aspect of earning a doctorate in Clinical Psychology is that roughly half of our workload consists of clinical training: providing psychological services to members of our community under supervision. Balancing that professional training with research and coursework is essential to becoming an effective psychologist, since this profession demands lifelong learning. I’ve learned to juggle it all by leaning on my support system here on Oʻahu: my husband, sister, brother-in-law, friends, and fellow veterans.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am deeply grateful to the faculty for their mentorship and guidance, and to my friends and colleagues for making this experience both fun and supportive. I would also like to thank the Pat Tillman Foundation for this amazing opportunity.

Scholarly Research

April 9, 2024

Students present their thought-provoking research findings

Psychology major juniors Leila-Jayne Casison and Clara Slate-Liu are on their way to the National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in California. But before presenting their findings on a national stage, the two Silversword athletes presented their research at the annual Na Liko Na‘auao Symposium, allowing them to fine tune their presentation and to anticipate any questions they may have to field.

“I think today was a good trial run for us in terms of getting used to discussing our study with others, especially those who we’ve never met before,” Casison said. “I also think we’re getting better with having meaningful conversations with those who find interest in our study on our athletes.”

Titled “The Sleep of University Student-Athletes,” Casison’s and Liu’s study looked at sleep patterns of fellow Swords, and they concluded that soccer players have the worst sleeping habits of all the athletes.

“Their practices start at 6 in the morning and they go to bed late,” Casison and Slate-Liu said. “So, of course, they’re going to experience daytime fatigue. It should be an issue that our coaches and athletic director are made aware of.”

A Silversword tennis player, Sydney Danielson was tireless in her pursuit of learning about avian malaria and avian pox effects on Hawaiian birds, such as the ‘amakihi, apapane and ‘i‘wi. A passionate naturalist, the Minnesota native looked at the two diseases and their impact on native birds’ population.

“Symptoms include swollen, tumor-like lesions on unfeathered parts of a bird’s body, such as the feet, legs, eyes and base of the bill,” Danielson explained of avian pox. “Both diseases are very difficult to manage, and the continued viability of our native forest birds depends on the preservation of their habitat.”

Sarah Carroll explains her research to Fr. Martin Solma during the Na Liko Na’auao Symposium.

Professor Tracy Trevorrow, Ph.D., discusses the research findings of Clara Slate-Liu, left, and Leila-Jayne Casison.

Brittany Johnson commented on Brandon Koskie’s research project on Kalauhaihai Fishpond and Kanewai Spring.

Lindsey Dimaya, left, a junior at Sacred Hearts Academy and a participant in Chaminade’s early college program, presented her findings to Joleigh Ballesteros-Magdaro.

Brandon Koskie, right, discusses his research findings on two fishponds with Anson Ekau, who developed a dashboard for the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center.

Katelyn Salcedo’s hypotheses posed the question: Is Literacy Affected by the Home Environment.

Sydney Danielson explains the effects of avian malaria and avian pox to attendees at the Na Liko Na’auao Symposium.

Dr. Lynn Babington listened to what Kole Nagai had to say about his research findings during the 22nd Annual Na Liko Na’auao Symposium.

Leila-Jayne Casison, left, and Clara Slate-Liu, studied the sleeping patterns of Silversword athletes.

For the past 22 years, student scholars have presented their yearlong work during this annual Symposium, allowing them to explain their research and answer questions from faculty, peers and at-large community members. In the past, students’ presentations have focused on mental health—especially the impact of COVID—physical health problems, substance abuse and even “climate monstrosities.”

According to Amber Noguchi, Ph.D., Undergraduate Research and Pre-Professional Programs director, undergraduate and graduate research experience can look like a number of things. It can range from formal and clinical studies to data analysis, and creative works and beyond.

“All of these presentations stem from research projects that have been collaborations between the student researchers and their faculty mentors,” Noguchi explains. “This undergraduate conference celebrates student scholars from across all academic disciplines.”

For the past several months, Lindsey Dimaya has locked herself in her room, unwilling to share with her parents the project that she was working on for the Na Liko Na‘auao Symposium. An avid reader, the 17-year-old teenager chose to do research on adult literacy and its impact on mental health.

Pointing to her presentation, dad Don Dimaya quipped that Lindsey finally explained why she isolated herself in her bedroom for all those hours. “Now it makes sense,” he said with a laugh. “Instead of getting her driver’s license last summer, she was busy with this.”

“I looked at the correlation between adult literacy and mental health,” said Dimaya, a junior at Sacred Hearts Academy and a participant in Chaminade’s early college program. “One of the reasons I was interested in this research was because of a story I had heard about a mother who wanted to bake her daughter a birthday cake, but she couldn’t because she didn’t know how to read.”

Dimaya’s research yielded some interesting findings, including a connection between improved reading skills and better mental health, and regaining childhood memories that emerged as a result of enhanced literacy.

“The breadth and depths of these projects have blown me away,” said President Lynn Babington, Ph.D., in her closing remarks at the Symposium. “I have been truly impressed walking around the room, and listening to your presentations and your interests.”

In his oral presentation, Anson Ekau ’25 demonstrated a beta dashboard that he developed for the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, helping the nonprofit to monitor the health of the pond and its inhabitants.

“This fishpond once stretched all the way to Mauanlua Bay,” Ekau said. “Now you can walk around it in two minutes. However, fishponds are crucial to the survival of native species, and they also allow us to promote and preserve Native Hawaiian culture.”

The Symposium concluded with a presentation of the President Sue Wesselkamper Award, which acknowledges a student who has demonstrated extensive community and university service. In order to qualify for the prize, a student must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, show scholarship beyond classroom requirements by undertaking their own independent research or study, and must have presented their work both on and off campus. This year’s award went to Victoria Francois ’25, who gave a presentation on chronic pain among young adults and the effects of mindfulness.

“I would do this again in a heartbeat,” said Francois of her research. “In doing research, I found that the world is your oyster, and that everything is open to you.”

Honorary Luncheon

February 15, 2024

Students share the meaning of their scholarships with donors

Her voice quivering with emotion as she described the meaning of being awarded a scholarship during an annual honorary luncheon for donors, Audrey Pilar ’24 cited her mom and dad for instilling a belief in herself, sharing her parents’ story as a young couple struggling to make ends meet but never giving up and wanting more for her and her brother. Graduating in May with a major in Forensic Sciences, and minors in Chemistry and Data Science, Analytics and Visualization, the Mililani native admitted that, without her Dr. Feung Lee and Mrs. Mew Sin Lee Endowed Scholarship, she probably would have had to work three or more part-time jobs just to pay her tuition.

“When my mom wanted to come to America to have a better life for me and her, she did,” Pilar said. “When my dad was belittled for having a young family, he and my mom hustled, got an education, and successfully raised my brother and me. What I am trying to get across here is that someone gave them a chance in their lives. Someone gave my mom and dad a chance to succeed in life, and they took it. This is what receiving a donor scholarship means to me. Hope and a chance for a better future.”

In the pursuit of higher education, many students face formidable barriers, with financial constraints being among the most prevalent. For many individuals from low- to even middle-income backgrounds, the dream of attending college or university often seems like an unattainable aspiration. However, scholarships serve as beacons of hope, illuminating pathways to academic success and unlocking doors to opportunities that would otherwise remain shut.

“This year, between individual and Foundation scholarships, we supported 332 students with over $2 million, for an average scholarship award of $6,100, which is huge,” said Chaminade President, Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “Today, you’ll hear some of these students’ stories, and you’ll get a sense about their ambitions, their areas of academic interest and what they may have overcome to get here.”

Scholarship Luncheon attendees include, standing from left, Edna Magpantay-Monroe, Michael Monroe, Tiannah Ohta and Genie Reutirez, and, seated from left, Bella Frasure, Alyssa Mori, and Keven and Diane Matsuura.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Edna Magpantay-Monroe, Michael Monroe, Tiannah Ohta and Genie Reutirez, and, seated from left, Bella Frasure, Alyssa Mori, and Keven and Diane Matsuura.

Scholarship Luncheon attendees include, standing from left, Jill Higashi, Kimberly Kameshige, Brianna Gutierrez Aceves and Easton DelaCruz, and, seated from left, Jeannine Wiercinski, Estelle Kelley, Jeannie Rolles and Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Janice Glade, Peter Jan Ramos and Anastasia Tangatailoa, and seated from left, Leila Casison, Caitlin Bocobo and Paige Garcia.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, William Bernaldez, Amber Milsap and Greg Lagapa, and seated from left, Natasha Flores, Nicole Tanabe and Kelsey Nakagawa.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Tyanna Hemmings, Leah Carrington and Kaimipono Abella, and seated from left, Keila Anderson, Tessa Stanley, Aniyah Hazen and Ana Isabel Aranda.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Adrienne Aquino, Katherine Liu, Erica Tiwari and Alani Meltel, and seated from left, Jessica Schlais, and David and Christne Arita.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Kendra Sia, Nicole Kegine, Aleeyah Lemons and Heidi Bow, and seated from left, Sally and Michael Coovert, and Susie and John Field Jr.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Debbie Ng Furuhashi, Michalla Burtado, Aloha Lei Garo, Bro. Alan Pacquing, Jodi-Anne Yoshida and Chaminade President Dr. Lynn Babington, and seated Bernard and Lolita Lum Hoy.

Debbie Ng Furuhashi and Cathy Ching share a laugh before the start of the Scholarship Luncheon.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Angelica Tangatailoa, Nathaniel Leomiti, Wayne Tanna, JD, and Jazzy Yasuda, and seated from left, Dorie Sanborn, Bro. Thomas Jalbert, Jasmine Mondelo and Pono Riddle.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Nagem Uiagalelei, Patricia Takamiya, Bro. Allen Pacquing and Richard Uiagalelei, and seated from left, Napua Rosehill, Carol Gouveia, Kawila and Kyla Castro.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Lauren Moriarty, Constance Keao, Huong Pham and Mame Hideyos, and seated from left, Alyssa Torres, Junelle Tangalin and Diane Peters-Nguyen.

Scholarship Luncehon attendees include, standing from left, Heather Kate Jarmillo, Marlon Francisco and Audrey Pilar and seated, from left, Kryzandreah Espanol, Tertia Freas, Elizabeth Hokada and Dr. Janet Davidson.

Seated with students, Adrienne Aquino ’26, Katherine Liu ’26, Erica Tiwari ’24 and Alani Meltel ’25, donors David and Christine Arita with daughter Jessica Schlais discussed each one’s goal, inspiring them to continue their education even long after they’ve graduated. The Aritas’ and Schlais’s American Floor and Home Foundation Scholarship is specifically earmarked for majors in the Environmental + Interior Design program.

An aspiring elementary education teacher, Aquino believes that early schooling provides a strong foundation for future learners. “Our graduation rates are getting lower and lower,” said the Kaneohe native. “We need more teachers if we want a better future for our keiki.”

Applauding Aquino for her dedication to becoming an elementary teacher, David Arita dispensed a bit of advice to her: “If you inspire them, they will always remember you,” he told her. “I still remember the teachers who made a major impact in my life, and I will never forget them.”

A sophomore Communication major, Easton DelaCruz ’26 has taken advantage of all the opportunities afforded to him since arriving on campus two years ago. He has been fortunate enough to engage in experiences that have enriched his education and broadened his perspective.

“Your commitment to financial assistance has allowed students like me to engage in transformative experiences, shaping us into well-rounded individuals prepared to contribute to society,” DelaCruz said in his address to donors. “With the wealth of past and current experiences, and the ones to come at Chaminade, I plan to return home and become a public servant to help my home become a better place for my parents’ generation, my generation and generations to come.”

In this landscape of financial uncertainty, scholarships emerge as powerful catalysts for change. These financial awards, often based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both, play a pivotal role in dismantling barriers to higher education. By providing financial assistance, scholarships enable deserving students to access resources, facilities and opportunities that would otherwise remain beyond their grasp.

Beyond financial assistance, scholarships also offer myriad opportunities for academic and personal growth. Many scholarship programs provide mentorship, networking opportunities and career development resources, empowering students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, scholarships may fund internships, study abroad experiences and research projects, allowing students to broaden their horizons and cultivate valuable skills that enhance their employability and competitiveness in the job market.

“We know education transforms lives; our students set out to change the world, and they are making a difference,” said Babington. “Our reach is all over the world. And we are proud of our Chaminade students and alumni.”