Scholarship Program

Overview

The Waianae Coast Rotary Club has supported local students with scholarships nearly since the club’s founding in 1969. In 2005, through the leadership of dedicated members including Willy Au and Anson Rego, and with a generous donation facilitated from the Waianae Japanese American Doshi-Kai, the club established an endowment dedicated to funding scholarships for students living on the Waianae Coast.

At that time, the club’s Board of Directors—Joe Lapilio, Joanna Miranda, Nalani Flinn, Ted Pond, and Willy Au—helped shape the structure and purpose of the endowment, ensuring it would provide lasting educational opportunities for local youth.

Nearly twenty years later, the endowment has grown to a level that allows us to expand our scholarship offerings and serve even more deserving students in the 96792 community. Today, the Waianae Coast Rotary Club awards four scholarships annually to graduating seniors attending high schools on the Waianae Coast. Beginning with the 2026 awards, we are proud to announce that our total annual scholarship funding will increase to $20,000, distributed across multiple scholarship types.

Each November, we launch our scholarship season. Application deadlines vary by award but generally fall between February 1 and mid-March. Candidates participate in a competitive selection process that includes submitting an application and taking part in an interview with club members. Finalists are notified in early spring and are recognized at our Annual Youth Awards & Scholarship Banquet held in late June.

Scholarship awards are paid directly to the student’s school—whether college, university, or vocational program—toward tuition and related educational expenses.
All scholarships are currently one-year awards, though the club’s long-term goal is to expand to multi-year scholarships as the endowment continues to grow.

For updates and more information about our scholarships, follow us on Instagram @wcrc96792 or Facebook Waianae Coast Rotary Club. Scholarship details and applications are also available from local high school counselors.

Application Criteria

Applicants are evaluated based on both financial need and academic merit. Selection also considers the student’s character, leadership potential, and contributions to school and community life.

A complete application includes:

1. Certified transcript of scholastic achievement verifying the applicant will graduate in the current school year.

2. SAT or ACT scores (optional). Scores will be considered if included with the application.

3. Two letters of recommendation from high-school teachers or counselors.

4. One community recommendation from a pastor, employer, or neighbor.

5. Personal statement outlining achievements in campus life, community service, employment history, or other experiences that demonstrate leadership and initiative.

6. Academic or vocational area of interest statement.

7. Financial statement describing how scholarship support will help the applicant achieve their educational or vocational goals.