$200,000 in Scholarships Awarded to 86 Students from the North Shore and Koʻolauloa
Turtle Bay Foundation marks its most impactful year yet
TURTLE BAY, O‘AHU – In its most impactful year yet, the Turtle Bay Foundation awarded $200,000 in college scholarships to 86 students from Koʻolauloa and the North Shore communities, including 22 students who are either employees or immediate ʻohana of Turtle Bay Resort team members. The charitable giving arm of Turtle Bay Resort held its 12th Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening.
“Investing in our local youth is one of the most powerful ways we can give back to the place we call home,” said Doug Chang, President of Turtle Bay Foundation and General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay. “With the support of our generous sponsors and donors, the Turtle Bay Foundation can open doors of opportunity for North Shore and Koʻolauloa scholars—helping them pursue higher education, focus on their goals and bring that knowledge back to uplift our communities.”
Councilmember Matt Weyer and state Sen. Brenton Awa joined the Turtle Bay Foundation’s Scholarship Awards Ceremony, celebrating its largest scholarship distribution to date.
The Foundation’s scholarship program features four tiers of awards – ‘Ilima ($10,000), Maile ($5,000), Lehua ($3,000), and Hala ($1,000) – each named for a beloved native Hawaiian plant symbolizing the uniqueness and potential of every student recipient. This year, five exceptional students were named ‘Ilima Scholars, selected for their outstanding academic achievement, leadership and commitment to community service:
- Aheirani Anderson, a 2025 Kahuku graduate born and raised in Kahuku town, majoring in pre-business at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
- Sione Pasi, a 2025 Kahuku graduate from Hauula, studying business at the University of Montana Western.
- Lilly Hunter, from Lāʻie, graduating in 2025 from Kahuku High School, who plans to major in biology at Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi.
- Pōmaika‘i Ikalani, born and raised in Waialua, studying business marketing at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and getting her pilot’s license at Barber’s Point Flight School.
- Emalia Freitas, a Lāʻie local pursuing a data science degree at Willamette University.
“This scholarship from the Turtle Bay Foundation gives me the freedom to chase two dreams at once—earning my business degree and becoming a licensed pilot,” said Ikalani. “I’m proud to represent the North Shore in both the skies and the classroom, and I hope to inspire other local students to work hard and never stop believing in what’s possible.”
“Growing up in my hometown of Hau’ula, I’ve always been taught to lead with heart and give back to my community,” said Pasi. “I’m motivated to make my ʻohana and hometown proud with my next steps into college and bringing that knowledge back to my community. Mahalo to the Turtle Bay Foundation for supporting me in my educational dreams.”
This year’s Barbara Keen Scholarship, named after a The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay team member to recognize a student pursuing a degree in STEM, totaling $2,000, was presented to Kahuku native Malakai Vendiola, a student at the Honolulu Community College Apprenticeship Trade School enrolled in the Journeyman Electrician Apprenticeship Program.
The Foundation selects recipients based on academic performance, financial need, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
Media Kit (courtesy: Turtle Bay Foundation)
About Turtle Bay Foundation
The Turtle Bay Foundation continues its steadfast mission of strengthening the Koʻolauloa and North Shore communities by supporting scholastic, cultural and environmental education. The Foundation is the charitable arm of its partners, Host Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, Areté Collective, Turtle Bay Golf and Kuilima Farm, which make up Turtle Bay Resort. Since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has awarded $1.5 million in scholarships and grants, supporting 575 students on their academic journeys and more than 70 nonprofits that make a positive difference in our communities. For more information, visit www.turtlebayfoundation.org
