Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Awards 2025 Ho‘oilina Scholarships

The Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) has announced the 2025 cohort of Ho‘oilina Scholarship recipients, awarding four-year scholarships to seven public high school graduates to study travel industry management at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business.

Each recipient will receive approximately $12,000 annually for four years toward a bachelor’s degree in Travel Industry Management.

Established in 2019 through a partnership between HTA, the Hawai‘i State Legislature, UH Mānoa, and the Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association, the Ho‘oilina Scholarship program was created to strengthen Hawai‘i’s tourism workforce by supporting local students who aspire to become future leaders in the visitor economy.

“Through the Ho‘oilina Scholarship, we are investing in kama‘āina talent who will help shape a visitor industry that is sustainable, innovative and rooted in Hawai‘i’s values,” said Caroline Anderson, HTA interim president and CEO. “We are proud to support these students as they pursue their dreams and prepare to serve our community and economy.”

The 2025 Ho‘oilina Scholarship recipients are:

• Erin Jorden Carlos, Mililani High School
• Ho Yau Chan, President William McKinley High School
• Samantha Citrawireja, H.P. Baldwin High School
• Brandy Nguyen, Kapolei High School
• Olivia Smith, Kapolei High School
• Jorden Yamamura, Pearl City High School
• Mason Yamane, Kailua High School

Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, community service, and their commitment to building careers in Hawai‘i’s visitor industry. Many have already gained experience through hospitality internships, student leadership, cultural programs, and volunteer service—skills that will serve them in both their studies and future careers.

HTA works closely with the UH Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management to administer the scholarships. Beyond financial support, students benefit from mentoring, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning experiences with tourism and hospitality professionals.

The Ho‘oilina Scholarship represents one of Hawai‘i’s key workforce development initiatives, ensuring that local talent is nurtured and prepared to sustain and evolve the islands’ visitor industry in line with community values and long-term economic needs.

The article Hawai‘i Tourism Authority awards 2025 Ho‘oilina Scholarships first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.