An awards program that started modestly in 2002 celebrated its biggest year yet last night by presenting $500 scholarships to 25 outstanding high school students of Samoan ancestry.

The Lumana'i Awards recognize graduating Samoan students for academic achievements and community service. This year's awards ceremony was held at Central Union Church in Makiki.

The Nu'u Ministry of the United Church of Christ, which sponsors the program, usually funds the scholarship with church donations. But this year, the ministry raised more than $17,000 at a benefit that featured performances by Samoan church and music groups.

"Now the community helps to raise money," said Iva Tiave, a Lumana'i Award board member and a teacher and counselor at Farrington High School. "We're self-funded now."

The money paid for 25 scholarships, the most the program has given out in one year.

"We have students who just want to make a difference," Tiave said. "The award personally acknowledges their academic and social achievements."

Tiave said she helped to start the scholarship program in 2002 because she was concerned that Samoan students were only being recognized for their athletic achievements.

"They always acknowledge the athletes, but they never acknowledge the students who do well in school, and there's a lot of them," Tiave said.

The program recognized nine students in its first year, and with last night's awards has rewarded a total of 108 students with $50,000 in scholarships for post-secondary institutions.

Students vie for awards in a variety of categories, including music and performing arts, community service and academic subjects such as English, math and science.

They can also compete in a category called Tau Sa'afia, which honors a student with outstanding character.

"It goes to someone who is respected, a positive, well-rounded person," Tiave said.

The winner of this year's prestigious Tau Sa'afia award was Jerica Tafiti, a Kahuku High senior who dreams of playing professional rugby and teaching in Third World countries. She will pursue her goals next fall at Eastern Illinois University.

"I was so surprised and happy. I ran to my mom and I was jumping up and down," she said.

Tafiti said that the Lumana'i award has inspired her to give back to the Samoan community.

"It boosted my self-esteem and made me realize that I can actually get scholarships," she said. "It makes me want to encourage the next generation."

Taualai Fonoti, a Saint Louis High and Stanford University graduate, was among the first group of students to receive the award.

"It allows Samoan youth to network," said Fonoti, a financial analyst. "It's hard to do well in school on your own, and knowing there's other people who have the same goals and aspirations makes it easier."

Fonoti, who was a standout scholar-athlete in football, track and soccer, said the Lumana'i Award is important because it encourages Samoan students to strive for excellence in the classroom and community.

"It gives pride to our community because when kids do well, parents get acknowledged too," Tiave said. "The kids get the awards, but the whole family is honored."