HILO, Hawaii — A cohort of 12 Hawaii Island students were among the 20 local scholars designated to receive scholarship awards from the HFS Federal Credit Union 2026 Scholarship Program, with a combined payout of more than $47,000 toward their upcoming college expenses. Each recipient will receive a $3,000 award to apply to tuition, fees, and other educational costs for the 2026?27 academic year.

The program, one of the largest private education support efforts on Hawaii Island, is administered by HFS Federal Credit Union (HFS FCU), a community?focused financial institution that has been providing scholarship support to local students since 2012. This year’s awards continue a long?standing tradition of investing in local talent and aiming to reduce financial barriers for students pursuing postsecondary education in Hawaii and beyond.

Twenty scholarship awardees were selected from a competitive applicant pool that included both graduating high school seniors and current college students. The awards are split evenly between the two groups, with 10 scholarships assigned to high school graduates and 10 scholarships for students already enrolled in college programs. Twelve recipients listed on the HFS FCU announcement are from Hawaii Island, including students attending local public and private high schools as well as universities across the mainland and within the state.

Among the Hawaii Island high school seniors recognized in the 2026 cohort are:

• Ka’iulani Intendencia of Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i
• Emalia Keakealani of Honoka’a High School
• Isaiah Kunkle of Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i
• Jamie Labasan of Wai?kea High School
• Jillian Lum of Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i
• Ka’ohupi’ioka’ala Masaoka of Hilo High School
• Jhaycee Khazheima Queja of Honoka’a High School
• Miya Rubio of St. Joseph School
• Shane Tominaga of Wai?kea High School
• Thalia Elise Anne Viernes of Hilo High School

College?level recipients from the island include:

• Kyla Maureen Andres, University of Hawai’i at Hilo
• Mia Faidit, University of Hawai’i at Hilo

Other college awardees represent students from Hawaii Island who attend schools across the mainland and the University of Hawai‘i system.

To be eligible for the HFS FCU Scholarship Program, student applicants must be members of the credit union in good standing, pursuing full?time postsecondary study at an accredited institution during the upcoming academic year, and typically maintain a minimum grade point average. The selection process also considers community service and other achievements, emphasizing holistic contributions as part of the award criteria.

The $60,000 total scholarship pool reflects an expansion of the program over the past decade, during which HFS FCU has awarded more than $340,000 in education support to students on Hawaii Island. With college costs remaining a significant hurdle for many students — particularly in island communities where economic opportunities can be limited — this kind of locally driven financial support has become increasingly essential.

“We’re honored to support these students, their families, and their aspirations for higher education,” said a representative for HFS FCU in announcing the scholarship recipients. “Education is one of the most powerful levers for improving long?term outcomes, and we’re proud to play a part in helping local students pursue their dreams.”

For many recipients, these awards mean more than just financial support — they represent recognition of years of academic dedication and community involvement. In a region where families often face high living costs and limited scholarships compared with larger mainland markets, community scholarship programs contribute critical funding that can determine whether a student can afford to attend college.

While federal and state aid programs remain a cornerstone of student support nationwide, private scholarships like those from HFS FCU supplement these efforts, especially for students whose families fall into financial gaps not fully covered by public grants. Community?centered scholarship programs also reinforce local retention: many awardees remain on the island or within the state system, contributing back to local economies and civic life after graduation.

Applications for the 2027 HFS FCU Scholarship Program are expected to open later this year, with announcements typically made early in the calendar year, followed by award disbursement in late spring. Students and families interested in applying are encouraged to check the HFS FCU website for details on eligibility, deadlines, and supporting documentation requirements.