LAHAINA – Friends of Moku’ula and Maui Nei Native Expeditions are offering two Akoni Akana Po’okela Scholarships to West Maui residents in 2017.

Scholarships in the amount of $500 each will be awarded to a student who is graduating from high school this year, and a student who is currently enrolled in the University of Hawaii Maui College.

High school seniors and college students who reside in West Maui are encouraged to submit a written statement that describes how they will use the scholarship award to advance their education, whether it be in the pursuit of Hawaiian cultural arts or skills, enrolling in courses at a college or university or enrolling in a vocational school. Full legal name and contact information should be included.

Scholarship requests must be submitted no later than April 28, 2017 by e-mail to mauinei@mokuula.com (Attention: Program Director).

Akoni Akana was the first executive director of Friends of Moku’ula. After his death in 2011, a scholarship fund was established by the organization in his honor.

The intended purpose is to perpetuate sharing Native Hawaiian culture and history, cultivating traditional practices in a new generation, and encouraging stewardship of important lands to benefit youth as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

For more information, call the Friends of Moku’ula office at 661-3659 or visit mokuula.com/events.