Ian Walsh’s Foundation Gives $30K to High School Students

As great as Ian Walsh is at backdooring Jaws, he’s even better at giving back to his Maui community. His Menehune Mayhem surf contest (free for any kid) has been a springtime highlight for 20 years. But Walsh hopes that another one of his ventures will have a more lasting impact. Since he launched the Ian Walsh Menehune Mayhem Foundation in 2018, the group has awarded $118,750 in scholarships to local students.

Earlier in June the foundation gave out $30,000 in scholarships to six graduating high school students ($5,000 per award). The donation came from the generous Audrey and Scott Blum and the Harbaugh Foundation. The six recipients were chosen for their academic interests and extracurricular pursuits. Their skill set ranges from climate conversation, physics and astronomy to labor and delivery. Below is a list of the deserving recipients, per a release from Walsh’s foundation:

Anica Ancheta graduated with honors from H.P. Baldwin High School and will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or the California Institute of Technology to study Physics and Astronomy. In addition to her many accolades in academics and golf, Anica is a current member of the Maui Nui Youth Futures Hui, an initiative in the Mayor’s Office of Innovation and Sustainability to engage Maui youth in solving problems concerning climate justice, sustainability, conservation, and human rights as it pertains to the island.

Emmi-Lin Felten graduated from Kamehameha Schools Maui and will be attending Pacific University to study Environmental Science, Policy and Conservation. Emmi-Lin has local, state, and national volleyball competition experience. She is the creator of the Ho‘i I Ke Aloha Club at Kamehameha Schools Maui. The goal of the club is to bring ‘ōiwi leaders together to support and contribute to the sustainability of Hawai‘i and preservation of Hawaiian culture.

Jasmyn Yoshikawa graduated from H.P. Baldwin High School and will be attending the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo to study Nursing and play softball. Jasmyn was one of only three students to be accepted into UH Hilo’s inaugural High School Direct Entry Nursing Program. She champions the environment as an avid ocean lover – participating in hundreds of hours of beach and ocean clean-ups.

Kalena Akinaka graduated from King Kekaulike High School and will be attending Saddleback College to study Nursing and play basketball. Kalena comes from an extended family with strong bonds and values that have shaped her commitment to her community. Kalena intends to pay it forward by helping families as a labor and delivery nurse.

Pierce Armstrong graduated from Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy and will be attending Rome City Institute to study International Business and Entrepreneurship while competing on the cross country, track and field teams. As an avid surfer and ocean lover, Pierce shares his passion for conservation with everyone he meets. He plans to bring his international experience home to support his home of Lahaina in the future.

Rio Kovacic graduated from King Kekaulike High School and will be attending the University of Northern Colorado to study Psychology and Environmental Science. In addition to being a talented soccer player, Rio graduated high school with a total of nine college courses under his belt. He was an active member of his school’s Environmental Club, the NALU Studies Program, and volunteered on Kaho‘olawe.

Related: 11th Annual Ian Walsh Menehune Mayhem

Given how long the surf contest and foundation have been running, it's possible some of these students surfed in Walsh's event and got scholarship dollars from him. Not a bad way to lend a hand.