The Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai Scholarship & Fellowship Program shall annually award two (2) Fellowship Scholarships to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential, community involvement, cultural curiosity, and a sincere commitment to serving others.

The Fellowship is designed to identify emerging leaders who exemplify the values of aloha, kuleana, mālama, lōkahi, haʻahaʻa (humility), and lifelong learning, while demonstrating a genuine desire to strengthen both themselves and their communities.

Applicants must:

• Be between the ages of 16 and 35 at the time of application.

• Demonstrate leadership potential through community service, volunteerism, education, cultural involvement, or other meaningful experiences.

• Exhibit integrity, humility, respect, and a willingness to learn.

• Demonstrate a sincere desire to grow personally, professionally, and culturally.

• Commit to fully participating in all Fellowship expectations throughout the Fellowship year.

• Be willing to serve as positive representatives of Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai and contribute to the advancement of their communities.

Native Hawaiian Preference

Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai was established to preserve, perpetuate, and celebrate Native Hawaiian culture through education, leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. In alignment with this mission, preference will be given to qualified applicants of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

At the same time, Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai recognizes that the future of Hawaiian culture is strengthened not only by Native Hawaiian leaders, but also by individuals from diverse backgrounds who approach Hawaiian culture with humility, respect, and a sincere commitment to learning and serving alongside the Native Hawaiian community.

For this reason, individuals who are not of Native Hawaiian ancestry are also encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate a genuine desire to learn about Hawaiian culture, support Native Hawaiian initiatives, and actively contribute to the Fellowship's leadership and workforce development objectives.

It is the intent of the Fellowship to award at least one Fellowship to a qualified applicant of Native Hawaiian ancestry whenever possible. The second Fellowship may be awarded to either a Native Hawaiian or a non-Native Hawaiian applicant based upon the overall strength of the applicant pool, demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to service, and alignment with the mission, vision, and values of Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai.

Selection shall always prioritize character, leadership potential, community impact, cultural respect, and commitment to service, recognizing that meaningful leadership is defined not by background alone, but by one's willingness to serve others with integrity, humility, and aloha.

Selected Fellows will receive:

• Full Conference Registration

• Conference Meals Included with Registration

• Lodging Accommodations During the Conference

• Educational Materials and Conference Resources

• Access to Cultural Workshops and Educational Sessions

• Mentorship Opportunities with Kumu Hula, Cultural Practitioners, and Community Leaders

• Networking Opportunities with Native Hawaiian Leaders and Fellow Participants

• One Year of Leadership Development and Mentorship

• Participation in Fellowship Cohort Activities

• Ongoing Community Engagement Opportunities

Additional Fellowship Benefits

• Exclusive Fellowship Welcome Package

• Fellowship Recognition During the Conference

• Access to Fellowship Alumni Network

• Quarterly Leadership Development Gatherings

• Virtual Cultural and Leadership Workshops Throughout the Year

• Small Group Mentorship Circles

• Cultural Protocol and Stewardship Training

• Community Service and Volunteer Opportunities

• Professional Development Workshops

• Resume, College, and Career Guidance Opportunities

• Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Development

• Project Planning and Community Leadership Training

• Opportunities to Assist with Future Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai Events

• Opportunities to Serve on Fellowship Advisory Committees

• Peer-to-Peer Networking and Support Cohort

• Access to Native Hawaiian Community Leaders and Cultural Practitioners

• Leadership Certificate Upon Successful Completion of Fellowship Requirements

• Letter of Fellowship Completion and Recognition

• Eligibility for Advanced Leadership Opportunities in Future Years

• Opportunity to Serve as a Future Fellowship Ambassador or Mentor

Community Impact Component

Each Fellow will design and complete a small community impact project during their fellowship year. Projects may include:

• Cultural workshops

• Community service initiatives

• Youth mentorship activities

• Educational presentations

• Cultural preservation projects

• Community outreach efforts

The goal is to empower Fellows to apply what they learn through Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai while creating meaningful impact within their own communities.

Applications will be evaluated using a holistic review process that considers each applicant's experiences, aspirations, leadership potential, and commitment to serving the Native Hawaiian community.

Selection considerations include:

Cultural Connection and Commitment

Demonstrated commitment to learning, practicing, preserving, and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, values, language, arts, history, and traditions.

Leadership Potential

Evidence of initiative, responsibility, integrity, and the ability to positively influence others within their family, school, hālau, workplace, or community.

Community Service and Engagement

Participation in cultural, educational, civic, volunteer, or community-based activities that demonstrate a commitment to serving others.

Personal Growth and Resilience

Demonstrated perseverance through challenges, willingness to learn, adaptability, and commitment to personal and cultural growth.

Future Impact

A clear vision for how the applicant intends to use the knowledge, mentorship, and experiences gained through the fellowship to strengthen their community and contribute to the lāhui.

Commitment to the Fellowship Experience

Willingness to fully participate in conference activities, leadership development opportunities, mentorship engagements, volunteer service, and post-conference fellowship requirements.

Representation of Hawaiian Values

Demonstrated alignment with values such as aloha, kuleana, laulima, haʻahaʻa, mālama, lōkahi, and service to community.

Cultural Stewardship

Demonstrated desire to carry forward and share Hawaiian knowledge, traditions, and values with future generations.

Readiness to Learn and Grow

A willingness to receive guidance, embrace new experiences, engage in mentorship, and actively participate in leadership development opportunities.

Community Impact Potential

Demonstrated ability to apply learned skills, cultural knowledge, and leadership experiences to create meaningful impact within their family, hālau, school, workplace, or community.

Diversity of Experiences and Perspectives

The fellowship seeks to support individuals from a variety of backgrounds, geographic regions, educational pathways, and life experiences who contribute unique perspectives to the cohort.

Potential to Serve as a Fellowship Ambassador

Applicants should demonstrate a willingness to share their experiences, inspire others, and serve as positive representatives of the Native Hawaiian Leadership Fellowship and Kūlia I Ka Pūnāwai.

Commitment to the Lāhui

A demonstrated desire to contribute to the long-term strength, well-being, and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian culture and community, regardless of career path or professional aspirations.

Fellowship recipients are expected to:

During the Conference

• Attend all scheduled conference sessions and activities

• Participate respectfully in cultural protocol and learning opportunities

• Engage actively with presenters, mentors, and fellow participants

• Serve as positive ambassadors of the fellowship program

Following the Conference

• Participate in fellowship mentorship opportunities throughout the year

• Complete a post-conference reflection

• Fulfill the required volunteer service hours

• Participate in at least one fellowship check-in or leadership development activity

• Complete a community impact project, presentation, cultural workshop, or educational sharing opportunity that demonstrates how conference learning was applied within their community