Calling all Hawai‘i high school seniors: Applications now open for travel industry scholarship

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is offering a scholarship to Hawai‘i high school seniors interested in getting a higher education in tourism management.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Ho‘oilina Scholarship is a four-year scholarship that provides $12,000 a year toward a Bachelor of Science in travel industry management at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business.

The scholarship will be awarded to five incoming University of Hawai‘i freshmen this year, majoring in travel industry management. Money will cover a portion of the cost for tuition over four years.

“We are investing in kama‘āina talent who will help strengthen Hawai‘i’s visitor industry workforce by keeping it infused with Hawai‘i’s values,” said Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “We’re proud to be part of their support system so they can build successful careers here at home.”

Since its creation in 2019, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has invested more than $1 million to provide tuition assistance for the next generation of travel industry professionals and to perpetuate Hawaiian culture within the visitor industry, according to a news release from the state agency.

Scholarship requirements include enrolling as a full-time student in UH Mānoa’s Travel Industry Management program, maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, completing four Hawaiian culture courses, completing at least one upper-level destination management and stewardship course, committing to 200 hours of community service over the four-year period and participating in a 200-hour internship to gain visitor industry experience.

The deadline to apply for the scholarships is March 1. Five recipients will be named in April. For more information, visit shidler.hawaii.edu/tim/hooilina-scholarship.