When Siera Alaibilla-Lagundino graduated from Waimea High School, college simply wasn’t part of the plan. Like a lot of students who navigate school without a strong support system pushing them toward higher education, she didn’t see a degree as a realistic option.
That perspective, however, shifted during a high school field trip to Kaua‘i Community College, where she discovered the Wai‘ale‘ale Project.
“I was the first person in my family to attend college, which is why I didn't initially plan on going,” Alaibilla-Lagundino said. “But the Wai‘ale‘ale Program encourages local students to just give college a chance, and that really aligned with my family's approach.”
Since its inception in 2010, the Wai‘ale‘ale program has served over 1,200 individuals, changing the trajectory of families on the Garden Isle. As Program Coordinator Lahea Salazar quickly points out, Wai‘ale‘ale is much more than a financial handout. It is an ecosystem of support, accountability and cultural grounding.
Removing Barriers, Building Foundations
“Our motto is ʻhānai aku, hānai mai,’” Salazar explained. “It means the first year, we pull them up with a lot of handholding; and in their second year, we want them to help themselves and the incoming Wai‘ale‘ale students.”
This cyclical model of giving back is something Alaibilla-Lagundino now champions as a staff member. After nearly 10 years with the program, she currently serves as a First-Year Experience Student Success Navigator for the Wai‘ale‘ale Project and Kīpaipai Program at Kaua‘i CC.
“Mentors in the program must have completed at least one year of school before they can assist others,” Alaibilla-Lagundino explained. “It is really focused on giving back to the community.”
Wai‘ale‘ale Projectʻs 16th cohort gathered on the campus lamp to take this photo during Success Camp.
Earning the Opportunity
While financial aid is a critical component, Wai‘ale‘ale flips the traditional scholarship model on its head. Funds aren’t simply dispersed; they are earned.
Students must demonstrate progress and complete specific requirements – such as attending the early August “Success Camp” – before their tuition is funded. Salazar emphasizes that this approach is intentional. By requiring students to take active ownership of their educational journey, coupled with rigorous financial literacy and time-management training, the program ensures students learn how to manage both their time and their funds wisely.
The Proof is in the People
The results of this high-accountability, high-support model are impressive. Wai‘ale‘ale students boast a remarkable 90 percent retention rate from the fall to the spring semester – tracking six percent higher than traditional students at Kauaʻi CC.
Beyond the statistics, the program's success is measured in generational impact. “As the oldest of seven grandchildren, I helped pave the way for three of my younger cousins who are now pursuing their own degrees,” Alaibilla-Lagundino noted. “One of them is even set to graduate this May.”
Support the Wai‘ale‘ale Fund
The Wai‘ale‘ale program proves that it is never too late to change a life's trajectory, but it relies on community support to keep its doors open to those who need it most.
Your contribution helps provide the essential “hānai aku, hānai mai” scaffolding that empowers students like Alaibilla-Lagundino to finally achieve their college dreams. Please consider making a gift to the Wai‘ale‘ale Fund today. Your generosity ensures that the next student who is ready to take that brave first step has an entire community standing right behind them.
Your generosity makes a lasting impact on our students, faculty, and community. Join us in supporting this important work.
Questions? / More Information
If you would like to learn how you can support UH students and programs like this, please contact us at 808-956-8700 or send us a message.
