Leah Kaaua-Acorda, a student at Kapi‘olani Community College and North Shore native, dreams of becoming a registered respiratory therapist. As a multi-year scholarship recipient of the Turtle Bay Foundation, Leah was able to focus on her education without having to worry about how she afford tuition, books, and transportation to and from school.
“For those looking into applying for the Turtle Bay Foundation Scholarship I say do it!”
The Turtle Bay Foundation is a proud provider and contributor of grants and scholarships to 147 organizations and individuals. Leah Kaaua-Acorda, a current student at the Respiratory Care Program at Kapi‘olani Community College and a scholarship recipient of the Turtle Bay Foundation, has been able to pay for her tuition, books, and transportation to and from school. From 2015 through 2017, Kaaua-Acorda was able to focus on school without having to worry about how she will be able to afford her education.
“I am very fortunate to be able to be attending college for the past four years and still continue my education,” said Kaaua-Acorda. “I plan on furthering my career and receiving my Bachelors of Applied Science degree with a concentration in Respiratory Care. I will then be able to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist and work in a hospital setting.”
As if Kaaua-Acorda’s schedule as a full-time student wasn’t enough, she was also promoted to become a manager at a retail store in Haleiwa while making the Dean’s List for three years in a row. She has also received her associates of liberal arts degree from Leeward Community College.
“For those looking into applying for the Turtle Bay Foundation Scholarship I say do it!” exclaimed Kaaua-Acorda. “You’ll never receive sincere support from another local committee like the Turtle Bay Foundation. If Turtle Bay has taught me one thing while growing up running around the hotel, it would be: aloha. The staff are not just my mother’s coworkers, but family to me.”
