Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges open annual scholarship application

Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges, the nonprofit group that provides support to the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex, is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship.

The scholarship honors Daniel Moriarty, an environmental educator and conservationist who played a major role in developing Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and fostering a strong conservation culture within the community.

Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges annually awards scholarships in his memory, with funds applied directly to college or university expenses.

Students studying in the fields of botany, zoology, natural history, and related subjects concerning the Hawaiian environment are encouraged to apply. The fields of wildlife management, interpretation, conservation, and environmental education are also supported.

To be eligible, students must have been a resident of Hawaiʻi within the past five years, been accepted or enrolled in a four-year college or university or a two-year program provided by a community college, and maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

“We are so honored to continue the legacy of Dan Moriarty’s passion for conservation by supporting the education of members of our community who aspire to work in these important fields,” said Thomas Daubert, executive director of Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges. “These awards are made possible by generous donations to Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges and by proceeds of sales from the Nature Store at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.”

In 2025, the Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges board of directors awarded a total of $30,000 in scholarships to 14 students, supporting the future of wildlife conservation across our state for years to come.

Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted no later than April 30, 2026.

For more information about the Daniel Moriarty Memorial Scholarship or to apply, visit the Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges website, or email scholarship@kilaueapoint.org.