Lahainaluna Foundation awards $79,750 in scholarships
LAHAINA — Lahainaluna High School Foundation (LHSF) Scholarship Chairman and Board Member Andy Kutsunai could not be prouder of our Lahaina community, as its generosity to youth has steadily grown for the last four years despite the financial climate.
The foundation began its scholarship program in 2002 with six scholarships totaling $6,200. After experiencing a downturn in 2006, the awards have increased to 38 student and one teacher recipients this year totaling $79,750.
Discussing the success of this LHSF program, Kutsunai said, “Our community really makes a difference! Businesses and individuals want to make an impact, and they see our youth as a means to this end. We at the foundation are very appreciative to the many partners we have involved in this scholarship program.”
Lahainaluna High School hosted the Scholarship Awards Program on May 12 at the Royal Lahaina Resort.
LHSF participated by awarding the following scholarships.
West Maui Community Federal Credit Union made its debut this year as contributors with five $1,000 scholarships. Board President Thomas Kunishige and Supervisory/Scholarship Chair Arthur Tabanao presented the scholarships to Trina Akima, Stephanie Alamon, Nicole Ewing, Christian Galano and Kevin Quitoriano.
The Kapalua Maui Charities Endowed Scholarship was given by Nancy Cross, LHSF vice president and secretary, to Holden Mowat for $1,000. Holden’s great-grandfather retired from Maui Pineapple Company.
The $1,000 Lillian & Robert Wright Memorial Scholarship was given to Jenifer Santos, and the $1,000 Philip & Mary Riley Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kiana Hayes. The scholarships were presented by family members Jeanne Riley and Danielle Wright.
Chelsea Gilchrist, who plans on a career as a field biologist, received the new $1,000 Alfredo Fred Sarian Agricultural Memorial Scholarship from his widow, Ester Sarian, and Danielle Wright.
Two brand new $1,000 scholarships from Bank of Hawaii were presented by Assistant Vice President and Lahaina Branch Manager Ann Neizman and Kahana Branch Manager Lance Gross to Jordan Elizabeth Ondatje and Lyka Marie Sarian.
In memory of a beloved community doctor and husband, Sohny Strong established the Dr. Steven Strong Memorial Scholarship with the intent of helping fund the education of a student interested in biological sciences or the health-related field. The $1,000 award went to AnnaStaceya Arcangel.
Kazuichi Hamasaki of Kahului presented the $1,500 Kihachiro J. Hotta Memorial Endowed Scholarship to LHS Boarders’ Co-president Monay Rodrigues. Hotta, a Lahainaluna boarder in the 1930s and member of the 442nd Infantry Regiment with Hamasaki, was killed in action in W.W.II.
Another new award is the Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union Scholarship for $500. LHSF Advisor Bob Kawaguchi presented the scholarship to a surprised and happy Angelica Quijano.
Ian Swezey of the West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District presented the organization’s scholarship for $1,250 to Samuel Kiek. This scholarship, now in its fifth year, is awarded to a student planning to major in agriculture, environmental studies or conservation.
The Imi Na‘Auao (To Seek Education) Scholarship, funded annually by Paul Tate of Ocean Alaska Resources LLC, was presented by Lydia Saribay, LHSF Scholarship
Committee member, to Sabrina Escalera, who plans to pursue a career in science.
Another new scholarship added this year is the $1,000 Boss Frog’s Dive and Surf Scholarship. Filling a gap in scholarships, this is designed for a student headed to trade school or junior college — possibly an untraditional student. Lynn Kasper presented the award to Kelly Kohls, who is headed to Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara to prepare
for a career in photography
TS Restaurants expanded its support by adding a fourth $1,000 scholarship honoring its newest restaurant, Duke’s Beach House. Orrin Cross, general manager of Hula Grill Kaanapali, and Kimo’s Assistant General Manager Jack Starr presented the scholarships to Lonopele Cabanilla, Zachary Corpuel, Joyce Gazmen and Richard Nguyen.
Fredeliz Misay received the $1,000 Ka Ipukukui I ‘A Mau Pio ‘Ole Ike Kaua‘ula (The light that will not go out in spite of the blowing of the Kaua‘ula wind) Scholarship. This
scholarship, funded annually by LHS Principal Michael Nakano, is awarded to a student who demonstrates leadership, service and academic achievement during their four years at Lahainaluna High School and conveys the school’s vision.
West Side Friends for Higher Education Scholarships of $1,000 each were given to Michael-Lloyd Akiona and Monique Chagas. These scholarships are contributed annually by part-time Maui residents in appreciation for their life here. Retired LHSF Executive Director Diane Delos Reyes presented the scholarships.
Lahainaluna never seems far from the hearts of its thousands of graduates, and so many have found ways to give back. This year, creating the H&K Takenaga Legacy Scholarship, 1960 graduate Phoebe and husband Eugene Takenaga designated a $1,500 scholarship that was awarded to Celine Munoz.
The Fred Izumi Legacy Scholarship for $2,000 was given to Blake Ball. This scholarship, funded by a ten-year annuity from Fred Izumi of the Class of 1952, is now in its fifth year.
New this year from the LHS Class of 1965 are two scholarships for $2,000 each — one for a male and one for a female graduate. Class member Phyllis Ross presented these awards to Josie Gomez and Evan Pascual.
The $1,000 Tadashi Sato Memorial Scholarship was presented by LHSF Arts & Cultural Chairperson/Board Member Dr. Darcel Gilbert to Sienna Nelson to further her education in an art-related field. Sato a beloved member of Lahainaluna’s ‘ohana, was a renowned, world-class artist. His daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Mark Shimamura, keep his memory alive.
The Shigeru and Toyoko Ichiki Scholarship, endowed by the late Dr. Albert Ichiki, is a renewable scholarship of $10,000. Ichiki’s brother, Gerald Ichiki, presented scholarships to Jing Hua, Class of 2010, headed for U.C. Davis; Elizabeth Lagbas, Class of 2009, who is completing her first year at University of Washington; Lake Casco, Class of 2008, finishing his second year at the University of Pennsylvania; and Tekiri Rickard, Class of 2007, who is beginning her fourth year of studies at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
The Kaanapali Land Management Scholarship of $1000 was presented by Howard Hanzawa and Kathleen Giambalvo to Wasseem Bel, who is headed to the University of Colorado at Boulder and looks forward to a career in engineering.
For the second year in a row, the Lahainaluna Boarders Association funded a $1,000 scholarship. Richard “Noosh” Nishihara, 1962 LHS graduate, four-year boarder and LHSF board member, presented this year’s award to outgoing Boarders Co-president Kyle Akazawa.
Another scholarship marking its second year is the Central Pacific Bank Scholarship of $1,000. Beverly Garo of CPB presented this year’s scholarship to Alexandra LaClergue.
For the sixth year, a Lahainaluna teacher received a $1,000 scholarship for continuing education. An annual gift from Dr. James Kumagai of the Lahainaluna Class of 1952, this scholarship was presented to Lahainaluna science teacher Steven Cornell by Kutsunai, a retired Lahainaluna teacher.
LHS Foundation Endowment Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to Jean Marie Dagupion and Rachel Quiseng by LHSF President Rob Shelton.
For information on the Lahainaluna High School Foundation and its programs, call 661-5332, e-mail LHSFoundation@hawaiiantel.net or visit www.Lahainalunahighschoolfoundation.com.