Launching in February 2026 to support local students in entomology, conservation, and Hawaiian wildlife protection!
The Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund is proud to announce the Patrick Conant Memorial Scholarship, created to honor the life and legacy of Patrick Conant (November 16, 1950 – February 21, 2024), a conservation hero whose dedication to protecting Hawaii’s native ecosystems touched countless lives.
The amazing Pat Conant. Photo courtesy of his family.
About Patrick Conant
Patrick spent a significant portion of his career as an entomologist with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, but his passion extended far beyond insects. He cared deeply about plants, birds, and all native ecosystems, making it his personal mission to help rid Hawaii’s landscapes of invasive species. His motto, “Death to Alien Invasive Species!!!” wasn’t just a slogan—it was a way of life. Whether pulling weeds, killing invasive trees, baiting ants, catching frogs, shooting goats, or producing bumper stickers to educate the public, Pat embodied hands-on conservation.
Friends and colleagues remember Pat as intelligent, calm, kind, and funny—often seen barefoot, wandering the forests of Volcano and beyond. He was a founding member of the Hawaii Wildlife Fund’s “FASTOP” hui (a name he coined, short for “Fencing and Spraying, Trapping or Poisoning”), working tirelessly to restore native ecosystems. From the early 1970s when he was studying at the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa working on the Waihoi Valley project to his later work combating little fire ants, Pat was a man of action who truly walked the walk.
Those who worked alongside him describe a humble, unsung hero—someone who could deal equally well with academics and the public, who generously shared his vast knowledge, and whose easy-going nature and great sense of humor made conservation work not just meaningful but enjoyable. As one colleague noted, Pat “emanated a kind of serene brilliance, with an unwavering resolution to understand and protect the Hawaiian environment.” Pat’s sister, Sheila, described him as her best friend, someone with whom she shared a deep love of native Hawaiian biota—studying it, protecting it, and living surrounded by it. Those who knew Pat understand he would have been delighted, though perhaps a bit embarrassed, by a scholarship in his name, but given his legacy and commitment it’s clear this honor is well-deserved.
The Scholarship
Applications accepted March 1 – April 25, 2026
The Patrick Conant Memorial Scholarship provides $4,000 to support recent college graduates (enrolled in certificate or specialized training program) or current graduate students pursuing fields that align with Patrick’s Hawai‘i passions:
- Entomology
- Avian Biology
- Botany
- Conservation
Application Requirements:
Interested graduate students should submit:
- A résumé (CV) highlighting relevant coursework, research, and experience
- A short essay (2 pages or less) describing:
- Your field of research
- How this $4,000 award would support your work (and timeline)
- A budget breakdown for project expenses, including any travel and essential field supplies (and yes, in Pat’s spirit, a line item for beer and post-fieldwork camaraderie is entirely appropriate!)
- Current mentor / advisor (and contact info)
How to Apply:
Please send the complete application package via email to us at scholarships @ wildhawaii.org (no spaces) and contact us via our website form (available HERE) with any additional questions.
Applications for this first round of funding will be accepted beginning March 1, 2026 and close on April 25, 2026!
The winner will be announced by May 31, 2026.
Support More Scholarships
HWF has already received substantial donations toward this award, reflecting the deep impact Patrick had on Hawaiʻi’s conservation community. Your contribution can help us support additional scholarships in the coming years, ensuring that passionate students have the resources they need to follow in Pat’s footsteps—boots on the ground (or barefoot, as he often preferred), making Hawaiʻi a better place for native species.
FYI – As of today, HWF also has several remaining scholarships available for recent high school graduates (and first year college students) that have connections to the Kaʻū Moku. See HERE for more details on the Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship opp.
