Aloha Winston,

Most definitely I'd like to say "KEF, has the biggest hearts ♥️ I have ever experienced in my lifetime. They didn't have to but they did help me out when I needed it the most! They made my struggle a lot more easier to complete my studies without the worries of not making it to class or school on time on a daily! I am forever grateful to them! I also pray they get blessed in ways that blesses all of us!" "FOREVER GRATEFUL TO KEF"

Mahalo Nui Loa!

Kupono Makana

In 2016, 51 years after graduating from high school, I reignited pursuit of a college education that originally began in 1997 at Windward Community College with Winston Kong as my counselor. As a non-traditional student, retired and a residence owner, scholarship opportunities were limited except for FAFSA, a Phillip Hagstrom community scholarship and a retroactive TRiO award. While attending WCC, I was a member of Kupono and graduated in 2018 with a Liberal Arts degree and a CO in Food Plant Production Technology and again in 2019 with a CA in Agripharmatech Ethnopharmacognosy. After transferring to UH Hilo, I received a BA in Art in 2020 with financial assistance solely from Kupono in exchange for community service at Hale A’o.

Mahalo piha e Kupono!