Three graduating Kaua‘i high school seniors selected as this year’s Grove Farm Scholars were recently honored during a special summer recognition dinner, with their families and several past scholarship recipients in attendance.
The 2026 Grove Farm Scholars are David Braman, Samantha Tominaga and Skyler Tanicala, all from Kaua‘i High School. Each was awarded $20,000.
Grove Farm Foundation President and Grove Farm Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Don Horner congratulated the scholars during the dinner, encouraging the three members of the 17th scholarship cohort as they begin the next chapter of their education.
Kapaʻa-Kauaʻi-Waimea Complex Area Superintendent Leila Kobayashi also honored each of this year’s scholarship winners with a lei made by her daughter Larissa Kobayashi.
Tominaga this fall plans to attend Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., beginning her path toward a medical career. She hopes to return home after becoming a physician to serve and give back to the Kauaʻi community through her efforts in health care.
Tanicala plans to begin his study of management information systems this fall at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa on O‘ahu. He hopes to remain in Hawai‘i following his formal education so he can continue contributing to the communities that shaped him.
Braman will continue his education this fall at University of Missouri in Columbia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology followed by a doctorate’s degree in physical therapy. He was inspired to become a physical therapist after accompanying his “amma,” or mother, to physical therapy because of an injured knee.
Learn more online about each of this year’s Grove Farm Scholars.
The 2026 recognition dinner welcomed back several past Grove Farm Scholars, creating an opportunity for alumni to reconnect as well as celebrate the newest scholarship winners.
Attending returning scholars included:
- 2025 winners Michaela Alcarez, Lauryn Hashimoto and Margarita Lomongo.
- 2024 winners Jeanine Longboy and Sofia Saunders.
- 2023 awardee Haley Zina.
- 2020 cohort member Alaysia Navor.
- 2018 winner Braden Kobayashi.
- 2016 awardee Melia Okura.
- 2011 cohort member David Ochoco.
Grove Farm Scholars Program is one of the largest scholarship programs in Hawaiʻi.
The merit-based scholarship is offered to local high school seniors graduating from one of Kauaʻi’s three public high schools, who will attend a 4-year university or college.
Kapa‘a High School, Kaua‘i High School and Waimea High School counselors each select three finalists from their school. A Grove Farm Foundation scholarship selection committee then reviews those nine finalists and chooses three winners.
Scholarship recipients exemplify academic excellence, citizenship, quality of character and community service. Scholars are required to complete ongoing community service work on an annual basis to maintain their scholarship.
Grove Farm thanks this year’s scholarship selection committee members:
- 5th Circuit Court Family Court District Judge Edmund Acoba.
- Maeda-Kobayashi.
- Kaua‘i County Managing Director Reiko Matsuyama.
- Author and Mālama Hulē‘ia Board President Jan TenBruggencate.
- UI Hawai‘i Consulting Principal Joshua Uyehara.
It also extends mahalo to Puakea Grill Owner and Executive Chef Kristin Yanagawa and her team for helping make the recognition dinner special for the scholars and their families.
Grove Farm awarded a total of more than $1 million through the program since its 2010 inception.
Learn more at the Grove Farm website about the scholarship program.
