Announcing the 2025 Grove Farm Scholars
For the 16th consecutive year, the Grove Farm Foundation has awarded three Kaua‘i public high school seniors with $20,000 each towards their post-secondary education. It is our great pleasure to introduce this year’s outstanding cohort. Please join us in congratulating the 2025 scholarship recipients.
Michaela Alcaraz – Kaua‘i High School
“’O ka mea ola” in Hawaiian refers to a person whose accomplishments are ongoing. This describes Michaela Alcaraz who will be the first Kaua‘i High School candidate for the Seal in Biliteracy in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i. Michaela is a gifted linguist who also speaks conversational German and Tagalog.
Michaela has been an active volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i at the Līhu‘e Clubhouse and with service organizations including Key Club and National Honor Society. She also plays multiple instruments, both wind instruments and the violin, performing in her high school’s marching band and earning college credits as a member of the Kaua‘i Community College Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra.
Michaela will attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa this fall. She plans to study medicine and become a primary care physician.
“My enthusiasm alone cannot make my dreams a reality,” said Michaela. “The Grove Farm Scholarship willallow me to overcome the only obstacle standing in my way of achieving my goals —a giant price tag that neither I nor my family, could ever pay alone.”
Margarita Lomongo – Waimea High School
Margarita Lomongo’s story of sheer determination and perseverance makes her an inspiration and exceptional Grove Farm Scholar. Born and raised in Chuuk, Micronesia, Margarita moved to Kauai in 2018. Despite the challenges she went through, she balanced an ambitious academic program with service to her community. Margarita took early college courses and earned a certificate in competency in Hawaiian botany. She is also an active volunteer through her church and school clubs, and she was a co-founder in the revival of Waimea High School’s Key Club.
Margarita intends to pursue her studies in dietetics and is deciding between the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Her interest in nutrition began when she interned with a nonprofit entity that had a partnership with her high school to grow, distribute, and sell fresh vegetables through their aquaponics program.
“My mind was determined to do well in school to make my family proud,” says Margarita. “I want to make a meaningful impact on others’ lives and help them navigate their relationship with food to build a healthier lifestyle.”
Lauryn Hashimoto – Kaua‘i High School
Exemplifying a well-rounded student from Kaua‘i High School, Lauryn Hashimoto holds many accolades for her scientific research projects and has held leadership roles as a class officer throughout all four years of high school, – including serving as class president for the last three. She was a dedicated scholar-athlete, serving as captain of her paddling team and also participating in cross country and track and field.
Lauryn was accepted by her dream school, the University of California at Berkeley, where she will study molecular biology and work towards a career in scientific research.
I value hard work, perseverance, and using mistakes as learning opportunities,” said Lauryn. “Science is a field where I can apply these aptitudes to address issues I care about, such as climate change and environmental protection.”
Our three 2025 Grove Farm Scholars were selected from nine of the most accomplished seniors on Kaua‘i. Scholarship applicants undergo a rigorous two rounds of review. Each public high school appoints a Scholarship Screening Committee that completes an initial round of review and chooses their top three qualified candidates. Our deep appreciation and mahalo goes to the three counselors at our local public high schools who spend countless hours helping students reach for their dreams and partner with us every year in our scholarship program. After the schools complete their initial round of review, the Grove Farm Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee reviews the applications of the nine finalists, conducts interviews, and determines the final scholarship awards.
The judges who serve on the Grove Farm Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee always face a challenging task. This year’s judges shared their high praise for the finalists, saying, “These are all remarkable students,” “It’s very uplifting to participate” and “I appreciate the opportunity to meet our future leaders.”
The six finalists who were not selected as 2025 Grove Farm Scholars will each receive $1,000 towards their college education. The decision was difficult as all nine candidates were deserving and should be proud of their remarkable accomplishments. What they all have achieved in their high school years and their dreams for the future give us hope for a thriving Kaua‘i.
Learn More About the Grove Farm Scholarship
Kaua‘i’s Own Receive Top Honors at the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival
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Grove Farm extends our heartfelt congratulations to Kumu Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin and the talented women and men of Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā‘ala for their outstanding performance at the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival. The hālau’s display of dedication and artistry brought joy and pride to our Kaua‘i community, and were recognized with multiple awards, including:
1st Place Wahine ‘Auana
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2nd Place Wahine Kahiko
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2nd Place Overall
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A special congratulations goes to the lovely Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao — daughter of Grove Farm Property Manager William Pavao and nice of Kumu Jardin — whose breathtaking performance earned her the prestigious 2025 Miss Aloha Hula title. Her command of ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i received a perfect score, winning her the coveted Hawaiian Language Award.
Puakea Homeowners Reception Builds Community Among Neighbors
The sounds of hammers and electric saws can be heard throughout the Puakea subdivisions these days as homeowners begin building in Puakea II and III. Grove Farm recently hosted a pau hana reception at Puakea Grill Lawn for Puakea I, II and III owners to meet their neighbors and gather as a community.
In total, Puakea I, II, and III include close to 130 single-family lots. Congratulations to our local families for choosing to make Puakea your home!