Hawai’i Sustainability Fund Scholarship
Randolph G. Moore, former chairman of the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, has deepened his support for UH with a gift of $1 million that creates the Hawaiʻi Sustainability Fund for innovative sustainability research and initiatives across all 10 UH campuses, to help students develop the skills and the knowledge to tackle climate change and critical resource issues in Hawaiʻi and around the world. Hawaiʻi Sustainability Fund scholarships support sustainability-focused students, with priority towards students who transfer from UH two-year campuses to UH Mānoa to continue their sustainability studies.
2026-2027 Recipients
Jermaine Alexis Benaza
Jermaine Alexis Benaza is a senior pursuing a degree in Sustainability with a minor in IPL - Ilokano. She is currently interning at the Koch Lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and leading a project on applying deep learning to identify introduced and cryptic bee species in Hawaiʻi. She plans to continue her education by attending law school to study Environmental Law. Her interest in environmental issues is deeply rooted in the islands, witnessing the impact of environmental changes around her surroundings. Jermaine is grateful for the Sustainability Scholarship and hopes to use the opportunity to support Hawaiʻi’s sustainable development and to lead changes within the community.
Isabella dela Peña
Being born and raised on the island of Oʻahu instilled Isabella's passion for mālama ʻāina, supporting local, sustainability, and caring for the planet. Isabella is pursuing her bachelor of science in Natural Resources and Environmental Management (NREM) with a specialization in Forestry and a minor in Sustainability. She has earned a certificate in Sustainability Issues and has applied her skills towards conservation fieldwork. Currently, she is a trail building intern and Botanical Education Assistant at the Lyon Arboretum. There, she rotates her time fostering her value for restoration between the grounds and education departments.
Sheldon Leufkens
Sheldon Leufkens is a student in the Bachelor of Environmental Design program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Architecture. He grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and studied at Santa Barbara City College before transferring to UH Mānoa. While at SBCC, he had the opportunity to study sustainability in Bali, Indonesia, where he developed a deeper appreciation for environmentally responsible design. Sheldon hopes to carry his passion for sustainability and his love of the natural environment into his education and future designs. Outside of his education, he enjoys spending time outdoors through swimming, hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
Previous Recipients
Siena Ebert - Natural Resources and Environmental Management
Riley Hanulik - Environmental Design
Mai Lee - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Kristine Joyce Locquiao - Electrical Engineering
Jesse Mashburn - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability & Economics
Sarah Moore - Interdisciplinary Studies: Social Sciences of the Oceans & Sustainability Certificate
Aaron Nerenberg - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability & Urban and Regional Planning
Josiah Asuncion - Environmental Design
Iokepa Frederick - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability & UROP Intern
Sophia Karl - Natural Resource and Environmental Management
Kristine Joyce Locquiao - Electrical Engineering
Cate Labas - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Mai Lee - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Kimberly Ortiz - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Leaiseaigaisamoa Seiuli - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Alexandra Richendifer - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Cate Labas - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Kim Ortiz - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Jayla Thomas - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Kenzi McLayis - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Mehana Kapoi - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Micah Mahia -Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Sebastian Williams - Interdisciplinary Studies: Sustainability
Sarah Moore - Certificate in Sustainability