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Napili Kai Foundation awards $13,500 in scholarships

By Staff | Jul 12, 2012

Lou Ross (front) congratulates Napili Kai Foundation scholarship recipients (from left) Kerilyn Dofa, Kelcie-Marie Naleieha, Michael Akiona, Caitlin Panis and Dominique Laborte. Photo by Kapule Eubank

NAPILI – The Napili Kai Foundation last week announced its 2012 scholarship awards, totaling $13,500, that were presented on June 12 at the conclusion of its weekly performance at Napili Kai Beach Resort.

The awards came from three different scholarship funds.

The Perna Foundation for Hope was founded three years ago by Janet Perna, who retired after 31 years from executive positions at IBM. Her foundation reaches out nationally and internationally to help a wide variety of organizations.

The Dennis Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund was started a year ago by Dennis’ widow, Jamie, and her friends who wanted to honor and memorialize him. The late Mr. Wilkinson was an architect and owner of a unit of the Napili Lani wing of Napili Kai Beach Resort.

The J.C. Millar Memorial Scholarship Fund was started more than 20 years ago by the friends of Jack Millar, the founder and for many years manager of Napili Kai Beach Resort.

The five awardees, who are all graduates and alumni of Lahainaluna High School, are: Michael Lloyd Akiona, whose mother has worked at Napili Kai Beach Resort for eight years, received $1,500 from the Perna Foundation for Hope and $1,500 from the J.C. Millar Memorial Scholarship Fund. He is entering his third year at Kapiolani Community College, seeking a degree as an emergency medical technician.

Kerilyn Dofa, a 12-year graduate of the Napili Kai Foundation, received $1,500 from the Perna Foundation for Hope and $1,500 from the Dennis Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Dofa will complete her final year of studies at the University of Hawaii Maui College to obtain her dental technician degree.

Dominique Laborte received $2,000 from the Perna Foundation for Hope and $1,500 from the Dennis Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. The 11-year graduate of the Napili Kai Foundation is entering her final year at Linfield College in Oregon, majoring in athletic training.

Kelcie-Marie Naleieha, whose grandmother, Natalie Naleieha, recently graduated from the position of reservations manager of Napili Kai Beach Resort after 38 years, received $2,500 from the J.C. Millar Memorial Scholarship Fund to help her start her first year at the University of Oregon.

Caitlin Panis received $1,500 from the Dennis Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. She is entering her third year at UHMC, majoring in photography and marketing. She was a member of the Napili Kai Foundation for three-and-a-half years.

The 46-year-old Napili Kai Foundation is the oldest-running keiki hula show in the State of Hawaii. The foundation has been awarding higher education scholarships to its graduates and to the children of employees of Napili Kai Beach Resort for over 20 years.

As NKF members graduate, the foundation recruits new members ages 6-14. Previous experience is not necessary but is desirable. For information, visit www.napilikaifoundation.com or contact Lou Ross at (808) 669-8384.