Women of
Wai'anae
"He ‘a‘ali‘i ku makani mai au; ‘a‘ohe makani nana e kula‘i."
I am a wind-resisting a'ali'i; no gale can push me over.
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OUR CORE MISSION
The Women of Wai'anae (WOW) raise funds for educational scholarships for nontraditional students. Â We assist students by providing funding for supplies, equipment, tuition, and other expenses that may arise in their pursuit of education. Â In addition, WOW engages in activities that enhance, protect, and restore the environment of the Wai'anae Coast Community. Â Since 2005, Women of Wai'anae has been federally recognized as a 501c(3) charitable organization FEIN#99-0339323.
The Wai'anae Coast, or the Leeward coast of Oahu, stretches north to south from Ka'ena Point through the communities of Makaha, Wai'anae, Maili, and Nanakuli. This part of the island is noted for its arid, rugged and remote coastline, deep, awe-inspiring ampitheater valleys and majestic mountains.
The Wai'anae Coast is home to the largest concentration of Native Hawaiians on Oahu. They take pride in keeping the Hawaiian traditions of hula, surfing, cultural practices and values, and the spirit of Aloha alive.
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YOUR LIFE
The Women of Wai'anae offer annual partial financial scholarships to the nontraditional student residents of the Wai'anae Coast. All scholarships are available to motivated students who are enrolled in or are accepted to a 2-4 year college or trade school. We aim to help our student winners overcome the obstacles of tuition costs, books and supplies, and transportation fees. Winning a scholarship can open doors and get you one step closer to your dream!
Sara Gaspar
WOW Grand Winner
2023
Elegant Title
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BRIEF HISTORY
In 1989 a small group of women in Wai'anae held yard and chili sales to build funds to help residents return to school. The group named itself the Women of Wai'anae (WOW). The first award of $356 in 1990 went to a mother of two children who was in nursing school. That awardee is now an RN at a Makaha nursing home. Since 2014, WOW has awarded more than $267,800 in scholarships. In 2024, WOW awarded $38,500 to fifteen nontraditional Wai'anae students. Over time these individuals will become the teachers, healthcare workers and social workers so badly needed on the Wai'anae Coast.
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