February News: Scholarship Applications and Employee Volunteer Grants
2025 Scholarship Applications Due February 21
Attention, Kapa‘a, Waimea, and Kaua‘i High Schools Seniors — apply now for the 2025 Grove Farm Scholarship! Applications are due to your school counselors by February 21. See your school counselors for assistance and check out the application on our website.
The Grove Farm Scholarship Program is one of the largest scholarships within the state of Hawaiʻi. Each year, three $20,000 scholarships are awarded to local high school seniors graduating from Kauaʻi's three public high schools who will be attending four-year universities or colleges. The Grove Farm Scholarship is awarded to students who exemplify academic excellence, citizenship, quality of character, and community service. Scholars are required to complete ongoing community service work on an annual basis to maintain their scholarship.
We recently caught up with some of our past Grove Farm Scholars about the impact that the scholarship had for them.
Braden Kobayashi (Class of 2018)
Braden is a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve and is currently serving as an Executive Officer. He is also a Project Specialist at Grove Farm. As a recipient of the Grove Farm Scholarship, Braden said, “Receiving the Grove Farm Scholarship allowed me to travel away from home for college and experience the Midwest, while still knowing that I have the support of my family and a community organization like Grove Farm.”
His advice to seniors who are interested in the Grove Farm Scholarship is, “Just apply – as long as you meet the criteria for the scholarship.” Braden also shared great advice as a former interviewee: “Dress appropriately, do your research on the scholarship and Grove Farm, do your best to answer any questions, and read your letters of recommendations.”
Kari Correa (Class of 2018)
Kari has come full-circle, from being a second grader at ‘Ele‘ele Elementary School and now teaching her own class of second-grade students in the same classroom. She said, ”Receiving the Grove Farm Scholarship was a life-changing moment for me. It not only eased the financial burden of pursuing higher education, but also served as a powerful vote of confidence that inspired me to work harder and dream bigger. The scholarship allowed me to fully embrace my college experience, take on internships, and explore my passions without the constant worry of student debt.”
Kari has great advice to seniors considering applying for the Grove Farm Scholarship: “My advice is to take the time to share your genuine story in your application — let your passion and future aspirations shine through. Even if you’re unsure, apply! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, as this scholarship can truly open doors and make a lasting difference in your life.”
David Ochoco (Class of 2010)
David is halfway through his second year of teaching fifth grade at King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School after spending five years as an interisland commuter airline pilot. He said, “Initially, receiving the Grove Farm Scholarship relieved part of the financial burden of attending a private, specialized university on the mainland. Since then, it has come to mean so much more. As a Grove Farm Scholar, I have been able to experience Grove Farm’s commitment to providing for and giving back to the Kaua‘i community. Even though it’s been 14 years since I was awarded their scholarship, and even though I’m in a completely different field than what I originally studied in college, Grove Farm has and continues to support me in all of my endeavors.”
David had sound advice to our seniors, saying, “Don’t let the requirements stop you from applying. It will be worth the time and effort you put into it.”
Thank you, past scholars, for your great advice and words of encouragement. We are pleased to say that not only were these scholars outstanding representatives of the Grove Farm Scholarship program, but they all returned home to make a difference in our community!
Learn More About the Grove Farm Scholarship
Grove Farm Foundation Awards $29,500 to Local Organizations Through Employee Volunteer Grant Program
Through the support of the Grove Farm Foundation, the volunteer efforts of Grove Farm Company employees are amplified by grants that support Kaua‘i’s communities. The Employee Volunteer Grant Program allows every Grove Farm Company employee to designate two local nonprofit organizations per year that they are personally supporting as a volunteer to receive a grant of $1,500 each from the Grove Farm Foundation. In 2024, we had a 91% participation rate in the Employee Volunteer Grant Program.
The grants help local organizations to advance their missions and serve our community. For example, Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i plans to use their 2024 grant to purchase radio ads to increase community awareness and participation in reporting crimes anonymously. The grant to Waimea High School Girls Soccer will help defray the costs for student-athletes to attend the state championships on O‘ahu. Kōloa Elementary School will be using their grant to purchase T-shirts for each student for their upcoming Duckathon fundraiser.
The Grove Farm staff is appreciative of the opportunity to serve in our community organizations. We are grateful that the Grove Farm Company Foundation recognizes and supports our personal commitment to giving back by awarding these organizations with generous grants.
Learn More About the Grove Farm Foundation
First School Group of 2025 Tours Makauwahi Cave
It was a beautiful day in January as the students of Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School gave a “chicken skin” oli in the early morning at Makauwahi Cave as they faced the majestic Hā‘upu Mountain range.
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In addition to learning about the cave and native plants, the students and school staff cleaned the trails of hala leaves and invasive species. When the work was done, the students enjoyed their lunches on Māhā‘ulepū Beach as they reflected on their day of learning and service.
Thank you to Malia Rogers for organizing this educational group visit and thank you to the students and educators of Kawaikini School!
To accommodate weekly market goers, a new entrance has been created on Leleiona Street to allow parking in the park itself. This new entrance serves both in and out traffic to minimize congestion on Puhi Road and Kikowaena Road. Please note that it is a right turn into the parking area.
We would like to thank Kaua‘i Community College for generously allowing use of their parking lot for our February 1 Craft Fair and Market this past Saturday.
Follow Grove Farm on Instagram and Facebook for parking and traffic updates as construction continues.