Pictured at the scholarship ceremony are, from left, Kaimana Purdy, Chris Rabang, Kalea Paiva and Leinoa Kong.

KAANAPALI – The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas proudly awarded its first scholastic scholarship to Kale’a Paiva, a graduate of Kula Kaiapuni, King Kekaulike High School’s Hawaiian immersion program.

The scholarship was named Kaunaloa I Ka ‘Imi Na’auao (determined perseverance in seeking education) and founded to honor the resort’s core values of commitment to community and Hawaiian culture.

The resort will award the annual academic scholarship for excellence to a Hawaiian immersion high school graduate of Maui who has received acceptance and will attend schooling at an accredited college or university in the fall.

Paiva completed her high school career with a 4.02 grade point average and began her first semester at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington to further her education in Environmental Studies.

“I am extremely happy and thankful to have received this scholarship because it is helping me attend school on the Mainland, expand my knowledge and share how important it is to represent and be proud of our culture and language,” said Paiva.

She looks forward to making new friends and volunteering within the surrounding community.

The lessons that she learned while attending Kula Kaiapuni will be carried on for years to come.

“Kula Kaiapuni doesn’t just teach academics; they also teach Hawaiian values like working together, compassion, learning how to forgive others and malama ‘aina (taking care of the land),” said Paiva.

After completing her education in Washington, Paiva plans to move back to Maui and find an occupation that focuses on giving back to the land and community.