Since 2020, The Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarships awarded by the Ho‘omau Foundation honors the life and legacy of an entrepreneur known by those he loved for his cultural pride, commitment to community and deep love for his family. The late Lee owned a family-run flower shop for almost 30 years in Hayward, California, according to his daughter, JoNelle Sood, who was born, raised and resides there today.
In 2020, Sood established the foundation to empower Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students pursuing higher education, while staying rooted in their values.
To date, the foundation has awarded 78 scholarships to 37 students, she says, adding that this year marks its 7th cohort with 19 students — eight new students and eleven returning from previous years' cohorts. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500 per student each school year.
“That returning number is what I'm proudest of, because for us, growth isn't just about writing more checks. It's about staying with our students year after year,” Sood told Aloha State Daily this week in an emailed response to questions.
“So, as we scale, we're investing in mentorship, professional networking and workshops like financial literacy and resume writing, so every haumāna leaves with an ʻohana behind them, not just a scholarship.”
Sood comes from a career background in technology, human resources and talent acquisitions. She and her brother were first-generation college graduates, she previously told ASD.
“I grew up in a community where there weren't people who looked like me or shared my cultural values. My experience being Native Hawaiian is different,” she said in that interview. "That’s the fuel that started this nonprofit and what we focus on.”
When asked what stands out about this year’s cohort of scholarship recipients, Sood replied, “The diversity represented in this cohort is truly meaningful. We have students from Saipan, American Samoa, Hawai‘i, Texas, California and Washington — all of whom are NHPI students carrying forward and perpetuating their cultures in meaningful ways.”
“This year, we also awarded our first scholarship to a student attending a vocational school, expanding our support beyond traditional two- year, four-year, and graduate programs. Our students are beginning their journeys as freshmen, pursuing graduate degrees and advancing into Ph.D. programs,” she continued. “This range of educational paths and backgrounds shows the momentum we are building and the growing reach of our mission. We are seeing our impact extend to more students and more communities and we need to continue building on that momentum.”
Meet the 2026-27 Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarships recipients, here.
There are a few ways communities nationwide can come together to support the Ho‘omau Foundation’s scholarship and mentorship program. Its goal is to raise $20,000 from this year’s silent auction and fundraising gala, which will take place on Oct. 2 in Newark, California. Although tickets are sold out, sponsorship opportunities remain. Details.
Bid on 30 items as part of the nonprofit’s fundraising silent auction, which runs now until Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Pacific Time. (Note: You do not need to be present to win).
According to Sood, the curated collection of “experiences and treasures” includes wine tastings and admission to the Oakland Zoo, both in California, “along with items donated by Bark Box, Aloha Collection and Manaola."
“We have a black and white diamond ring (made of 14K white gold),” she notes. “A stunning, one-of-a-kind piece that blends bold elegance with timeless style flown in from Victor's fine jewelry in Honolulu.”
Sood adds: “Our gala on Oct. 2 is the biggest driver of growth. Every table, every auction bid, every donation decides how many students we can say yes to next year.”
Looking ahead, she says that “sustainable growth comes from within.”
“Kaua and Lilia started as scholarship recipients, and today they're giving back as a mentor and an ambassador,” she notes. “That cycle of receiving, growing, and then lifting up the next generation is how we'll keep growing.”
For updates and to directly support Ho‘omau Foundation, visit its website and Instagram.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
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