The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association presented scholarships to (from left) Maria Cocson-Agapay, Peter Pak, Leah Jade O’Brien, William Ah Puck, Aljane Benito and Noelani Corpin.

WAILUKU – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association recently awarded $6,000 in scholarships to six University of Hawaii Maui College Spring Semester students from proceeds of the annual Excellence in Education Golf Tournament held last fall.

Three students from the Maui Culinary Academy and three Business & Hospitality students each received a $1,000 scholarship. Students were recognized as outstanding achievers by their department coordinators.

Recipients from the Business and Hospitality Department are Aljane Benito, Maria Cocson-Agapay and Noelani Corpin.

Benito is currently working on her Associate in Applied Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism with plans to transfer to the U.H. School of Travel Industry Management to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree.

Cocson-Agapay is currently employed at Kaanapali Beach Club and Honua Kai as a group leader for Kama’aina Kids and as a computer lab assistant at U.H. Maui College while pursuing her degree.

Corpin recently earned her Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts and is now pursuing a degree in Hospitality & Tourism.

Recipients from the Culinary Academy are Leah Jade O’Brien, Peter Pak and William Ah Puck.

O’Brien has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is now pursuing dual Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking.

Pak will complete his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts this spring and will then continue to complete his Associate Degree in Baking in the spring of 2014.

Ah Puck plans to complete dual Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking in the spring of 2014.

These future industry leaders were honored at Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s ‘Aipono Restaurant Awards gala held on April 14 at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in the presence of hundreds of business and restaurant industry principals.

“It’s an honor to be able to provide for our future leaders. These students have excelled in their respective areas and have been justly awarded for their achievements. We look forward to watching these stellar students turn into the next generation of industry leaders,” said Lisa Paulson, MHLA executive director.

The 2013 Excellence in Education Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, Aug. 23. For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625.