Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation and ʻĀina Momona award $11,000 to 17 Maui County students

The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation and ʻĀina Momona announced 17 recipients of the 2026 Mercer “Chubby” Vicens Memorial Scholarship, with awards totaling $11,000. The scholarship provides gap funding to Maui County students pursuing college, university, graduate, and trade-school education.

The scholarship received 28 applications from students on Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi. The pool was strong enough that the two organizations released additional resources so that more qualified students could be supported. Five students received $1,000 awards, and twelve more received awards of $250 to $1,000. The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation provided $8,000 and ʻĀina Momona provided $3,000.

Applicants were scored on their work with the Native Hawaiian community, their financial need and plans to give back, their work and service record, their cultural practice, and their study of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Applicants could write their essays in English or ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

“Uncle Chubby gave so much of himself to Maui and believed deeply in investing in the next generation,” said Kai Pelayo, President of the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation. “Every one of these students reflects his commitment to our community and its future leaders. We are proud to carry his legacy forward by helping them reach their goals and, one day, bring that knowledge home.”

“ʻĀina Momona is happy to partner with the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation on this work,” said Trisha Kehaulani Watson, Vice President of ʻĀina Momona. “When so many qualified students stepped forward, we wanted to make sure more of them had the support they need. Investing in these haumāna is how we continue building a Maui Nui that thrives for generations to come.”

About the 2026 recipients

This year’s recipients are attending University of Hawaiʻi campuses on Mānoa, Hilo, West Oʻahu and Maui, as well as colleges, a graduate program and a trade school on the US continent and abroad. Their fields include education, business and accounting, Hawaiian studies, environmental science, public policy, health sciences, and custom fabrication.

Next round

The next application round is anticipated to open in May 2027. High school seniors who plan to enroll in fall 2027 are encouraged to apply once they have been accepted to a college, university, or trade program.

Scholarship details and application information are available at www.kaainamomona.org/scholarship.

The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber Foundation works to bring about the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding of economics, matters of public concern, finance, education and training, housing, human relations, issues of Native Hawaiians, science and technology, economic development, government relations, and other subjects related to improving efficiency and accelerating both the quality and quantity of economic growth, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the County of Maui.

ʻĀina Momona is a Molokaʻi-based organization dedicated to achieving environmental health and sustainability through restoring social justice and Hawaiian sovereignty. Its land base is Keawanui Fishpond and Cultural Learning Center in the ahupuaʻa of Kaʻamola on Molokaʻi’s south shore. Its work focuses on ʻāina (land), ʻai (food), wai (water), and ea (sovereignty and justice), and includes scholarship programs. Learn more at kaainamomona.org.