The Paubox Kahikina Scholarship helps Native Hawaiian students pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and Tech in general. Its purpose is to offer financial support and create a strong network for these students. The scholarship makes education more affordable and connects students with professionals, giving them valuable opportunities to learn and grow in their chosen STEM or Tech fields. This scholarship is about more than just money; it's about building a community and empowering Native Hawaiian students to succeed in STEM or Tech careers.
See also: The big ideas behind the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship
Kapaeloa Aki was one of the Paubox Kahikina Scholarship 2022 recipients and is now attending Brigham Young University, studying toward a computer science degree. Here is a word from Kapaeloa:
"Aloha! My name is Kapaeloaoka‘ohukea Aki, and I am a recipient of the 2022 Paubox Kahikina scholarship. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
This year, I delved deeper into the core principles of computer science, by taking advanced courses that challenged and expanded my understanding. In discrete mathematics, I developed a better grasp of logic, functions, sets, relations, proof techniques, and other essential topics of algorithm design. My systems engineering courses provided me with the skills to properly design and manage complex systems. From my computer organization course I learned more about digital logic, digital systems, machine-level and assembly level machine organization.
Additionally, in this course I was able to build a working CPU, which helped me learn the ins and outs of computers, as well as how they execute instructions. My object-oriented programming courses were particularly influential as we had various projects throughout the year. One project that particularly stood out was when we developed a discontinued game in Android Studio. We were able to customize the game to compete against other players or an AI opponent, as well as customizable themes, that implemented other languages. This project not only honed my technical skills, but also emphasized the importance of user experience and interface design in software development.
While balancing my academic pursuits, I also worked part-time as a lighting and visual technician for university and community events. In this role, I designed and installed advanced lighting systems, ensuring that each event is visually stunning and runs smoothly. Additionally, I helped create graphics and operate machinery like robotic cameras and lighting systems. This job has taught me the importance of creativity, teamwork, multitasking, and problem-solving. This experience has been invaluable, providing me with practical skills and a deeper understanding of using technology to enhance user experiences.
Outside of academic and professional pursuits, I enjoyed getting to know O‘ahu more by traveling to different places on the island, going on challenging, yet beautiful hikes, enjoying the beaches, and engaging in local community events. I also enjoyed traveling to different Hawaiian islands this year. This summer, I am excited to continue traveling by spending time with family in Canada and Montana to enjoy the scenery there before continuing back to my studies.
As I look forward to the next stages of my academic journey, I am driven by a desire to continue pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve. For which I am thankful for the instrumental role the Paubox Kahikina scholarship has provided to me, where I am able to continue my education in college. I hope that more Native Hawaiians who are striving to make their academic dreams a reality will be able to gain the foundation and encouragement that this scholarship has provided me.
Mahalo nui loa!"
Read more:
Paubox Kahikina STEM Scholarship 2024 Update | by Kapaeloa Aki