The hopes and dreams of local students are alive and well despite economic challenges and the rising costs of post-secondary education. HFS Federal Credit Union understands the need and is here to help!

For the past 13 years, the Credit Union has awarded over $235,000 in scholarships to more than ninety student members to help with their college expenses. This year, ten scholarships were awarded to graduating Big Island high school seniors and five scholarships to current college students attending a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate program. Each recipient was awarded $3,000 for a total of $45,000 in scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Recipients include a 2-year student who is majoring in Fire and Environmental Emergency Response, nine 4-year students heading off to various colleges for the first time and five current college students completing degrees in Psychology, History, Nursing, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Sociology, Biochemistry, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science. The Credit Union is proud to support its student members who will one day be leaders in the community and positive contributors in the workforce.

HFS Federal Credit Union congratulates the following scholarship recipients:

· Leahi Coloma (Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i)

· Richard Gonsalves (Hilo High School)

· Nāli’ipō’aimoku Harman (Ke Kula 'o Nāwahīokalani'ōpu'u Iki PCS)

· Daphne Igloria (Kea’au High School)

· Lucas Kay-Wong (Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i)

· Avani Naleimaile (Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i)

· Cheydon Naleimaile-Evangelista (Waiākea High School)

· Kāhilikūikala’i Paleka (Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i)

· Andrew Paresa (Waiākea High School)

· Elwin Shotts (Parker School)

· Ewalea Dameg (University of Hawai’i at Hilo)

· Sandy Galves (University of Hawai'i at Hilo)

· Wilde Germano (Colorado State University, Pueblo)

· Kale’a Kuamo’o (California State University, East Bay)

· Kaliko Tangaro (Chamberlain University)

Jesica Carriaga, HFS Federal Credit Union Scholarship Committee Chairperson says, “We received many impressive applications this year, which made choosing just 15 recipients difficult. Congratulations to all 2024 graduates on your accomplishments thus far, and we look forward to seeing all that you achieve in the future.”

HFS FCU releases applications at the beginning of each year, offering scholarships for both graduating Big Island high school seniors pursuing a 2 or 4-year degree, as well as current college students pursuing a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate degree. For more information, please contact the Credit Union at (808) 930-1400 or visit our website at hfsfcu.org/scholarships/.