Ko 'Olina Charities today officially started accepting scholarship applications for the Ko 'Olina Training Fund, which was established in May as a condition for Gov. Linda Lingle's approval of a $75 million tax-credit bill to finance construction of the aquarium at the developing West O'ahu resort.

Principals of resort master developer Ko 'Olina Co. committed to distribute $2.5 million over six years to the fund, starting with $500,000 in the first year.

Individual scholarship awards will be limited to $2,500 per year, though organizers said the cap can be exceeded for special circumstances.

If each of the scholarships are issued for the maximum $2,500, some 200 people could benefit initially.

The first distribution is expected in September.

Anyone can apply, but preference will be given to people living in communities from Honokai Hale to Ka'ena Point.

Recipients must enroll in and complete a vocational training or education program related to a "broadly construed" visitor industry.

Conceivably, the scholarships could be for culinary arts, hotel management, hula, maintenance, office and other skills. A variety of programs are available at state community colleges, vocational schools and other workforce development programs.

Institutions and organizations are also encouraged to apply for grant money to operate visitor-industry related educational or vocational training programs for Leeward O'ahu residents.

Decisions on how the money will be awarded will be made by a five-member board comprising two people from the governor's office, two from Ko 'Olina Charities and one from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, which owns the land on which the aquarium would be built and other Ko 'Olina property.