Aloha, Anuhea here! In 2018, I started this foundation with a dream to inspire and support Hawaiʻi's youth in their pursuit of higher education. As a musician, I decided to allocate funds from my CD sales, merchandise, and even organized two fundraising concerts on Maui to raise money for scholarships. My goal is to motivate amazing students to continue their education and help them overcome financial barriers. Additionally, our foundation is committed to supporting the dedicated teachers who make a difference in the lives of our youth every day. It’s all about giving back to the community, creating opportunities for our youth to thrive, and honoring the educators who guide them along the way.
One of the biggest inspirations for starting the Aloha Always Foundation Scholarships was my father, Mr./Coach/Kumu Kaipo Jenkins. He was a dedicated public school teacher and coach on Maui for over 33 years and retired from Iao Intermediate School in 2018. Sadly, he passed away a year and a half ago, but his legacy lives on through this foundation. I wanted to honor him and the long line of educators in my family—my grandmother and great-grandmother were also teachers. With them in mind, I started fundraising for scholarships to support higher education. Our foundation not only helps students but also recognizes and supports the incredible work of teachers who shape our future leaders. It’s my way of continuing their legacy and showing gratitude for their immense contributions to education and community.
When I graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 2003, I was fortunate to receive numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid for my first year at Chapman University. Despite this initial support, financial challenges made it difficult for me to continue beyond that year. However, the experience of being selected for those scholarships and the confidence it instilled in me was invaluable. This experience inspired me to create the Aloha Always Foundation, with a vision of giving other Hawaiʻi students that same sense of empowerment and opportunity.
Our mission is to empower, educate, and inspire Hawaiʻi’s youth while also supporting the dedicated teachers who play a crucial role in their success. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back in this way, helping our young people build remarkable futures and honoring the educators who are essential to this journey.
Mahalo for your support!
Aloha always,
Anuhea ❤️