Turtle Bay Foundation Awards $150,000 in Scholarships to 50 North Shore Students
Largest scholarship package to date pushes nonprofit’s total giving to nearly $1.1 million
May 5, 2023
TURTLE BAY, O‘AHU – Fifty students received college scholarships totaling $150,000 from the Turtle Bay Foundation at a ceremony held at the hotel on Thursday evening. The charitable giving arm of Turtle Bay Resort is celebrating its 10th anniversary of supporting deserving youth and organizations for the sustainable future of our North Shore and Ko‘olauloa communities. The Foundation has awarded 434 scholarships and 70 grants to date.
“Over the past ten years, Turtle Bay Foundation has supported hundreds of students as they pursue their dreams, and we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone by awarding our most significant scholarship package to date,” said Kiele Muraco, director of the Turtle Bay Foundation.
Click here to access the media kit with still photos, b-roll, soundbites and more courtesy of the Turtle Bay Foundation.
“Turtle Bay Foundation’s incredible impact uplifting our North Shore communities would not be possible without the many contributions of our volunteer board members and the significant financial support of Turtle Bay’s owner, Blackstone,” said Tom Donovan, president of Turtle Bay Foundation.
This year, the Turtle Bay Foundation introduced new scholarship opportunities, recognizing ‘Ilima, Maile, Lehua, and Hala recipients with $10,000, $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000 toward their education, respectively. Five students were named ‘Ilima Scholars, including:
- Isabella-Amataupu Akanoa is a Kahuku High and Intermediate School senior and will attend Stanford University.
- Kirah Evile is currently studying business and environmental studies at Cornell University.
- Siosifa Latu, an upcoming Kahuku High and Intermediate School graduate, plans to attend Brigham Young University – Idaho to study political science.
- Stryder Williams is pursuing his degree in biology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
- Zoe Bryan, who will graduate from Waialua High & Intermediate School, will attend California Polytechnic State University to study biochemistry.
“These scholars represent the best of the North Shore,” said Muraco. “We’re happy to provide them with the resources they need, so they can focus on their academic pursuits and, one day, bring that knowledge back to uplift our communities.”
Within the ‘Ilima category, Akanoa received the Alayna & Tony Finau Scholarship in recognition of her dedication to volunteering to support her community. The Foundation established the namesake scholarship in honor of PGA Tour professional golfer Tony Finau and his wife, Alayna. Finau generously supported the Foundation’s 2022 golf tournament and trains on the iconic Arnold Palmer golf course.
“I am very grateful for the support of organizations and families such as the Turtle Bay Foundation ‘ohana, who help local students like me reach their potential to achieve their highest of goals,” said Akanoa, who plans to study English and become a lawyer one day. “I hope in the future I can give back to my own community here in Hawai‘i and influence other local students to pursue an education which will offer them a wide range of opportunities.”
In partnership with the Friends of Sunset Beach’s mission to “keep the arts alive” in schools on the North Shore, Rihannon Shumay received $1,000 from the foundation due to her dedication to the arts and volunteering throughout high school.
The Foundation selects recipients based on academic performance, financial need, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
Media Kit (courtesy: Turtle Bay Foundation)
- Still photos
- B-roll and soundbites
- 00:00 to 01:02 – Isabella-Amataupu Akanoa, $10,000 scholarship recipient
- 01:03 to 2:18 – Kiele Muraco, director of the Turtle Bay Foundation
About Turtle Bay Foundation
The Turtle Bay Foundation provides support for deserving youth and organizations for the sustainable future of our North Shore and Ko‘olauloa communities. Since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1.1 million in scholarships and grants, supporting 434 students on their academic journeys and more than 70 nonprofits who make a positive difference in our communities.
About Turtle Bay Resort
Located on O‘ahu’s North Shore known for legendary surf, Turtle Bay Resort encompasses nearly 1,300 acres with five miles of unspoiled coastline and seven beaches. The resort showcases 410 ocean-view guest rooms and suites plus 42 oceanfront Ocean Bungalows, as well as an innovative concierge experience center and cultural gallery, a variety of restaurants and bars, an 11,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, elevated beach experience and four swimming pools. This expansive beach resort features dynamic ocean, land and aerial adventures through its on-property helicopter pad, horse stables, tennis and pickleball courts, two 18-hole championship golf courses, 12 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, wellness classes and surf school. For more information, visitwww.turtlebayresort.com. Follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/turtlebayresort and Facebook at www.facebook.com/turtlebayresort.
Dylan Beesley