Olena M. is a North Shore Give Scholarship recipient.

Kūleana (responsibility) is a core value and way of life for Native Hawaiians. Born and raised on the North Shore, Olena embodies this value and is driven to serve her community. Olena is now a nurse in the Family Birthing Center at the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital.

She entered the Kauai Community College nursing program as a full-time student when she was 34 years old and graduated in 2021.

“It was stressful and overwhelming during those times, trying to balance being a full-time student, mom to 2 young daughters, and a spouse. We all had to adjust and sacrifice,” Olena said. When she speaks about successfully completing the rigorous nursing program, Olena is thankful for her ʻohana — for their support, love, and lots of patience — and the scholarships she received. Olena was able to attend school full-time and graduate without school debt.

To anyone thinking about returning to school, Olena shares a message that inspired her: “Just go! Apply for scholarships so you can focus on going full-time. In 4 years, you can get your dream job, or you won’t. Either way, the 4 years will pass.”