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Mohala Mau Student Fellowship Opportunity 

About the Fellowship

Breast Cancer Hawaii invites interest from a Native Hawaiian undergraduate or graduate STEM student to participate in Mohala Mau, a Native Hawaiian cancer survivorship initiative focused on understanding and improving quality of life among Native Hawaiian breast cancer survivors in Hawaiʻi.

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This opportunity is structured as a mentored, learning-centered experience designed to support Native Hawaiian students who are interested in applying their academic training toward culturally grounded, community-driven survivorship research and programming.

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About Mohala Mau

Mohala Mau centers Native Hawaiian voices, values, and lived experiences in examining cancer survivorship, quality of life, and access to culturally responsive support. The initiative brings together Native Hawaiian survivors, clinicians, cultural practitioners, researchers, and community organizations to co-design survivorship approaches that are both evidence-based and culturally rooted.​

Purpose of the Student Fellowship

The student will be supported to engage in meaningful aspects of the Mohala Mau initiative while building skills in community-engaged research, health equity, and survivorship programming. This opportunity emphasizes learning, mentorship, and reciprocity, rather than employment or service provision.

Areas of Engagement

The student may contribute to Mohala Mau activities such as:

  • Supporting literature reviews and background research related to Native Hawaiian cancer survivorship and quality of life

  • Assisting with survey development, data collection, and synthesis under the guidance of the project team

  • Helping document community insights from workshops, listening sessions, and advisory meetings

  • Supporting the preparation of plain-language summaries, reports, and dissemination materials for community and academic audiences

  • Observing and learning from culturally grounded survivorship programming and evaluation activities

  • Engaging with researchers, clinicians, survivors, and cultural practitioners involved in the initiative

Learning Outcomes

Through participation in Mohala Mau, the student will:

  • Gain hands-on exposure to community-based participatory research and Native Hawaiian–centered health equity work

  • Develop foundational skills in research support, evaluation, and impact reporting

  • Learn how survivorship research informs real-world programs and advocacy

  • Build relationships with community leaders, survivors, and research mentors

  • Strengthen their academic and professional pathway in STEM, public health, medicine, or related fields

Who This Opportunity Is Intended For

This opportunity is intended for:

  • A Native Hawaiian undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at the University of HawaiÊ»i

  • A student pursuing STEM, public health, health sciences, or a related field

  • Someone with an interest in cancer, chronic disease, survivorship, or Indigenous health

  • A student who values community connection, cultural humility, and Ê»ike-based approaches to learning and research

Prior research experience is not required.

Timeframe & Support

  • Participation is aligned with the Mohala Mau project period and the student’s academic schedule

  • The student will receive a $2,000 stipend per semester, for up to three semesters (total possible support of $6,000)

  • This is a learning and mentorship–focused opportunity, not a staff or employment role

  • Ongoing guidance and mentorship will be provided by Breast Cancer Hawaii leadership and Mohala Mau project partners

Why This Opportunity Matters

  • Native Hawaiian cancer survivorship remains underrepresented in research and program design. Mohala Mau is committed to building capacity within Native Hawaiian communities while supporting the next generation of Native Hawaiian STEM leaders. This opportunity exists to ensure that survivorship work is shaped by those most impacted and that Native Hawaiian students are supported in pathways that serve their communities.

Contact Information

For more information or questions, please contact us at hello@cancer808.info or call us at 808.2215.0303.

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