NEWS RELEASE

HONOLULU, May 26, 2020 – First Hawaiian Bank and the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) announced today the Stronger Together Hawai‘i Scholarship Fund to support career readiness in Hawai‘i’s 2020 public high school graduates. First Hawaiian Bank and Hawai‘i Community Foundation contributed $1M each for a total of $2M to seed the fund to support this year’s graduating cohort, whose school year and critical planning months were cut short due to COVID-19. 

To allow 2020 public school graduates the opportunity to pursue their own desired path, this fund steps out of the box of a traditional scholarship and is designed to be student-centered, providing flexible funding for a college or vocational degree, or a certificate program at accredited institutions in Hawai‘i or out of the state. Scholarships will be awarded on a case-by -case basis, and funding can cover traditional educational expenses, such as tuition and books, or other emergency expenses that may threaten to derail a student who does not have a financial safety net from furthering their education.

“We recognize that each senior has their own story and their own needs,” said Bob Harrison, Chairman, President and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank. “The Stronger Together Hawai‘i Scholarship fund is designed to remove as many barriers as possible for this year’s high school graduates by offering flexible funding, and a range of continuing education options to encourage students to pursue their dreams—and be supported in the process.” 

To be eligible for scholarship funds, 2020 Hawaii public school graduates must participate in the Next Steps to Your Future program of the University of Hawai‘i and P20, which was announced earlier this month. The program provides advisor support and free UH Community College courses on career exploration to help graduating seniors transition to post-high school education or job training. More information on Next Steps to Your Future can be found at http://uhcc.hawaii.edu/nextstep/.

Graduating public school seniors who are from low to middle income families will receive priority and neighbor island graduates are encouraged to apply, with a reminder to students that geography may no longer be a barrier, given that coursework for many programs are now entirely online.  

“At this time when many families are struggling financially, we are launching a new approach to our scholarships program,” said Micah Kāne, President and CEO of Hawai‘i Community Foundation. “The Stronger Together Hawai‘i Scholarship Fund will allow graduates to pursue the path that is right for them—whether that is job training or a four-year degree. We believe supporting these students goes beyond investing in their individual futures. Their success is Hawai‘i’s success and we are committed to doing all that we can to help them.”  

"We cannot thank First Hawaiian Bank and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation enough for their support of the class of 2020," said UH President David Lassner. “Their generosity will help students and their families in this time of unprecedented crisis by enabling the gift of post-secondary education and their better future, which represents an investment in a better future for all of Hawaiʻi."

First Hawaiian Bank and HCF have provided the seed funding for the Stronger Together Hawai‘i Scholarship Fund, which they hope other donors will contribute to, enabling the fund to help a greater number of students affected by COVID-19 this year and students who are in need in future years. Donations can be made at http://www.strongertogetherhawaii.org. Online applications will be available in July, and updates will be posted at https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/students. 

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