The United Public Workers Foundation is proud to present the James “Jimmy” Toledo Scholarship, a testament to the enduring legacy of a revered union leader and advocate for workers’ rights in Hawai’i. This scholarship, launched in 2024, aims to support the educational aspirations of UPW member dependents, fostering the next generation of leaders and thinkers in the labor movement.

To support educational advancement across our diverse membership, the UPW Foundation awarded five scholarships in 2024, each valued at $1,000, to five high school seniors in Hawaii. One winner was selected from each UPW Division to receive financial assistance designated for higher learning.

In 2025, the UPW Foundation expanded its awards and offered nine scholarships with a total value of $10,000:

•  Five (5) $1,000 scholarships for local high school seniors
• Three (3) $1,000 scholarships for current college students
• One (1) $2,000 scholarship for a college student majoring in Political Science, Labor Studies, or Labor Relations

Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2026 Jimmy Toledo Scholarship in early 2026.

The scholarships are available to children/dependents of active United Public Workers members who are graduating high school seniors in the state of Hawaii or current college students who are continuing enrollment in the following Fall semester. Current college students do NOT have to be attending a university or college in Hawaii.

The UPW member must be in good standing for at least one year at the time of submission and the child/dependent must be enrolled or enrolling in secondary education (college, university, trade, or vocational school).

A key component of the application process is a 500 to 1,000 word essay.

In 2025, for applicants who were a high school senior or current college student and applying for the $1,000 award, their essay had to answer the prompt: “How has UPW helped or benefited your family while you were growing up?”

For applicants who were majoring in Political Science, Labor Studies, or Labor Relations and applying for the $2,000 award, their essay had to answer the prompt: “Why is being a member of a union still important today?”

Along with the essay, all applicants were required to submit a headshot photo of themselves in JPG, PNG, or TIF format. This photo is used for scholarship-related promotional purposes and would only be used if the applicant was selected as a recipient of the Jimmy Toledo Scholarship.

Applicants were also required to submit their parent’s/guardian’s contact information and workplace information as a UPW member.

The deadline for the 2025 Jimmy Toledo Scholarship was Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Applicants who were selected as a recipient of one of the scholarship awards were required to submit proof of enrollment/commitment at their college/university/higher education for the $1,000 award or proof of major for the $2,000 award prior to sending the award check.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2026 Jimmy Toledo Scholarship in early 2026.

• Central idea is clear and developed in answering the prompt question (10 points)
• Usage of grammar and mechanics (i.e. spelling, punctuation) effectively communicates idea (10 points)
• Essay demonstrates UPW values (10 points)
• Maximum score is 30 points

Each essay is blind-graded by five (5) judges for an overall maximum score of 150 points.

For the five (5) $1,000 awards to local high school seniors, each award will be given to the highest-scoring essay from an applicant from each UPW Division (Hawaii Division, Kauai Division, Maui Division, Oahu Division, Private Sector Division). In the event there are no submissions from a UPW Division, the scholarship will be awarded to the second-highest overall score and so on.

For the three (3) $1,000 awards to current college students, the awards will be given to the three highest-scoring essays out of all eligible applicants.

For the one (1) $2,000 award to a student majoring in Political Science, Labor Studies, or Labor Relations, the award will be given to the highest-scoring essay out of all eligible applicants.