MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii is reaching out to Native Hawaiians across the state who want to pursue a college education. The effort is part of a statewide initiative to bring Native Hawaiian scholarship opportunities to underserved communities in Hawaii.

In that spirit, UH has partnered with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and GEAR UP Hawaii to present the 2012-2013 Native Hawaiian Scholarship Aha, a series of free presentations for high school students, parents, teachers, current college students, adult students, counselors or anyone interested in learning about the resources and financial aid available to Native Hawaiian students.

There will also be a brief workshop on filling out financial aid applications and strategies on earning scholarships.

Information about the workshops, including a list of locations and dates for workshops scheduled statewide, is available online at www.hawaii.edu/aha

“It opened my eyes to the huge support system that is available for Native Hawaiians by Native Hawaiians,” said Ilima Ho Lastimosa, a Hawaiian studies student at UH Manoa who has attended previous scholarship workshops.

Other community partners supporting the workshops include the Native Hawaiian Education Association, Kamehameha Schools and the Pacific Financial Aid Association.

The workshop schedule for the Big Island:

* Waimea
Location: Hawaiian Homes Hall
Date: Nov. 27, 2012
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

* Kona
Location: Kealakehe High School Cafeteria
Date: Nov. 28, 2012
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

* Hilo
Location: UH Hilo, Campus Center Dining Room
Date: Nov. 29, 2012
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.