As our scholars strive to meet the rising cost of higher education, the foundation aims to provide support for our recipients to achieve their goals. For the 2024-2025 school year, the foundation awarded $150,000 through 32 scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students from across Hawaii. 2025-2026 scholarship applications are now closed. Scholarship winners will be notified in late April.
For full-time, undergraduates attending an accredited college or high school seniors demonstrating financial need. Applicant must be a resident of Hawaii and a U.S. citizen; must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; and must participate in canoeing, surfing, kayaking, swimming, diving, water polo, sailing, or volleyball, with a record of accomplishments and intention to compete in college. Applicants should demonstrate the spirit of aloha through leadership and community involvement. Multiple one-time scholarships available generally ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 each.
Online Application includes:
• An essay as well as short-answer questions
• Transcript of Grades
• Two Letters of Personal Reference
• Athletic Resume (Last Four Years)
• FAFSA Submission Summary. ODKF reserves the right to ask for further financial need documentation if needed.
2025-2026 scholarship applications closed March 1, 2025.
For college or returning applicants: Division I, II and III athletes should consult with their school’s compliance officer to see if receipt of ODKF funds (scholarships partially based on athletic ability) could impact eligibility.
The Duke Award is a one-time award of up to $15,000 created to recognize an outstanding Hawaii high school senior who exemplifies the character and personality traits of Duke Kahanamoku. Duke Award scholars fulfill the Ambassador of Aloha Scholarship requirements at the highest level and maintain a GPA of at least a 3.5. This scholarship will help raise awareness about Duke and inspire individuals to emulate his character.
Applicants for the Duke Award must be nominated by a school athletic official, school administrator, or a coach.* Before submitting a nomination, nominators should verify that the nominee demonstrates the ability to compete at a high level of athletics and is outstanding in athletics, academics, AND community service. Once a nomination is verified, a link and password to the Duke Award application is emailed to the student.
Online Application includes:
• An essay as well as short-answer questions
• Transcript of Grades
• Three Letters of Personal Reference
• Athletic Resume (Last Four Years)
• FAFSA Submission Summary. ODKF reserves the right to ask for further financial need documentation if needed.
Duke Award applications not selected for interviews are automatically rolled over to the Ambassador of Aloha application pool. There is no need to apply to both.
While financial need is not a requirement of the Duke Award, it may be weighed as a determining factor.
* Each school or sports club may nominate up to 3 candidates to be considered for the Duke Award. Only 3 to 6 Hawaii high school seniors are selected as finalists each year for this prestigious award. Those students who are not selected as a finalist will automatically be considered for the Ambassador of Aloha Scholarships. Scholars applying to the Duke Award who do not have a nomination from their school official will only be considered for the Ambassador of Aloha Scholarships. Incomplete applications will not be considered for either scholarship. Applicants should be sure to complete every field.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa lists more local scholarships at this link.
Duke’s night is a festive community event that brings together students, their friends, and their families to celebrate scholarship winner accomplishments and encourage them to lead as Ambassadors of Aloha. All awardees are invited from across the islands to be celebrated publicly on stage. The top three candidates for the Duke Award will be showcased individually, followed by a live, white envelope reveal of the top awardee.
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