The First Insurance Scholarship in Climate Change is awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students with an interest in studying and taking action regarding climate change, both its causes and consequences.
2024–2025 Recipients
The 2024–2025 First Insurance Scholarship in Climate Change is awarded to Lorianna Herrmann. Lorianna is majoring in Sustainability through Interdisciplinary Studies. She was born and raised in Hawaiʻi and has, “… cultivated a deep appreciation for the planet on which we live.” Throughout her studies she hopes to learn how to better care for and protect the place she calls home. She believes, “It is important for all of us to help be the catalyst to inspire change,” as Robert Swan once put it, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Congratulations, Lorianna!
The 2024–2025 First Insurance Scholarship in Climate Change is awarded to Mehana Kapoi, born and raised in Makakilo, Oʻahu. Mehana is currently a junior majoring in Sustainability Interdisciplinary Studies. She has a passion for environmentalism, ecology and sustainability and plans to use her major to assist in, “…reestablishing an ethical and just relationship between the people of Hawaiʻi and the diverse environment that surrounds us.” One of her favorite quotes is from Davin Attenborough, “In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the earth.” Congratulations Mehana!
The 2024–2025 First Insurance Scholarship in Climate Change is awarded to Julie Tam, a senior originally from Hong Kong majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Management with a Specialization in Environmental Policy and Governance and minor in Economics. One of her favorite quotes is “E Mālama ʻoe I ka ʻĀina, e Mālama ka ʻĀina ia ʻoe” which can be understood in English as, “Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.” Congratulations Julie!
Previous Recipients
2023–2024: Ashlyn Godbehere, Natural Resources and Environmental Management.
2023–2024: Raquel Aviles, Interdisciplinary Studies-Sustainability.
2022–2023: Talia Schmidt, Botany degree.
2021–2022: Alejandro Silva, Interdisciplinary Studies-Sustainability.
2021–2022: Serene Danielle Smalley, Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis on Watershed Resources Management.
For more information and to apply, please see the First Insurance Scholarship in Climate Change at star.hawaii.edu.
Mahalo to First Insurance Company of Hawaiʻi for providing this support.