Hawaiʻi Community College grad’s bright future helped by unexpected scholarship after Lahaina wildfire

Troy Branco-Liu, a Lahainaluna High School graduate, had no plans to leave Lahaina until the devastating 2023 wildfire destroyed his hometown on Maui, killing over 100 people. After being displaced, Branco-Liu enrolled at Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo, where he pursued a diesel mechanics program with the help of a University of Hawaiʻi scholarship. The scholarship initiative, launched after the Lahaina fire, provided financial support for every member of the Lahainaluna High School class of 2024 to attend any University of Hawaiʻi campus. The program was later expanded to cover two years at community colleges and four years at university campuses, offering Branco-Liu a path to higher education during a time of uncertainty for many Lahaina families. Branco-Liu, a first-generation college student, initially planned to enter the workforce immediately after high school but decided to pursue education instead. He chose the diesel mechanics program at Hawaiʻi Community College due to its hands-on learning approach and his longstanding interest in mechanics. Instructors like Mitchell Soares played a key role in his success, providing encouragement and support within the close-knit program. Now set to graduate in 2026, Branco-Liu has secured a mechanic job in Lahaina and is preparing for the arrival of his first child. He credits the scholarship with opening doors he never expected, allowing him to envision a future beyond immediate financial needs. Graduating as the first in his family to complete college, Branco-Liu plans to use his skills to contribute to Lahaina’s rebuilding efforts, reinforcing his commitment to his hometown.