The gift of technology: Punahou alumnus looks to help Native Hawaiian students in need

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Punahou grad now in his senior year at Pitzer College in California wants to help Native Hawaiian students with their distance learning.

Nick Kapule, along with his sister and friend, are working to donate laptops to kids who need them.

Using their own money, they bought four laptops. They’re hoping to get one more in time for them to be hand delivered on Christmas day.

“I’ve heard of kids who don’t have a laptop, who don’t have an iPad. They’re unable to learn, unable to access books, access the internet, access the sort of resources to support their education, and that’s tough at a time like this where people need online resources,” Kapule said.

Those wanting to donate to the cause can do so on Venmo @kapule-organization.

Students under 18 in need of a laptop can apply by writing a 1-2 page letter about their passion, and what they plan to use the laptop for.

Letters can be sent to kapuleorg@gmail.com or mailed to 3702 Pelu Place, Honolulu, HI 96816 if it’s handwritten.

The deadline to submit letters is Dec. 20.

“It’s the first step to bigger and brighter things and hopefully the betterment of the health and education of native Hawaiian kids especially,” Kapule said. “100% of the donations will go straight to the laptops and straight to the kids.”

Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.