06/01/2022
Mahalo to Big Island Gazette and all of our Hawaiʻi Island winner for striving to do your best and pursue your future goals and aspirations. We are grateful to support you with college scholarships.
10 high school students on Hawaiʻi Island receive $32,000 in Mamoru & Aiko Takitani Foundation scholarships
- Foundation awards $217,000 in statewide scholarships -
HONOLULU (May 26, 2022)—The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. has named ten high school seniors from Hawai’i Island as scholarship recipients of its annual Legacy Scholarship Program.
Camylle McDonald of Kealakehe High School received the largest scholarship: a $5,000 District Finalist award. Nine additional seniors from Hawaiʻi Island schools received a $3,000 award, including Maya Oishi of Hilo High School, who was awarded the Mildred Higashi Director’s Scholarship.
The students were among 59 recipients, one from each qualifying public and independent school in the state, who received scholarships based on academic achievement, community service and financial need. In total, the Foundation awarded $217,000 to students throughout the state in its Legacy Scholarship Program this year.
"Mr. and Mrs. Takitani founded Hawaiian Host, and knew hard work, innovation and commitment to excellence were key factors in their success,” said KSSK Radio personality Michael W. Perry, the Takitani Foundation Chairman of the Board. "The Takitanis wanted to recognize those same qualities in Hawaiʻi's outstanding students with support to further their education."
District Finalist - $5,000 scholarship award
Camylle McDonald of Kealakehe High School received the $5,000 District Finalist Award. She is the daughter of Yumiko and Ty McDonald. Ranking #1 in her class for 4 years and an Advanced Placement Scholar, Camylle participated in the National Rocketry Challenge with her group, which earned National Finalist status. Camylle also was an active participant in her school’s Interact Club, raising funds for local and global charities. She will attend Georgia Institute of Technology next Fall.
Hawaiʻi District Public Schools - $3,000 scholarship awards
Maya Oishi of Hilo High School is the daughter of Michelle and Curt Oishi, and will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall.
Jake Bannister of Honokaʻa High & Intermediate School is the son of Prantiss and John Bannister. He will attend the University of Portland.
Baily Gapusan of Keaʻau High School is the son of Jessica and Brandon Gapusan. He will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, next Fall.
Kymani Alani of Konawaena High School is the daughter of Lea and Arley Alani Jr. She will attend Washington State University in the Fall.
Ashlee Kubo of Pahoa High & Intermediate School is the daughter of Leticia Abalos. She will attend Grand Canyon University in the Fall.
Matthew Labasan of Waiakea High School is the son of Anabelle and Samuelito Labasan, and will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the Fall.
Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools - $3,000 scholarship awards
Lily Kassis of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy is the daughter of Patricia and Marc Kassis. Kassis will attend Simmons College.
Jacob Momohara of Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i is the son of Cheryl Hickey-Momohara and Sy Momohara. He will attend the University of Hawai'i, Manoa, in the Fall.
Eleanore Kowardy of Parker School is the daughter of Nancy Campbell and Kevin Kowardy, and will be attending Haverford College in the Fall.
Mamoru and Aiko Takitani founded Hawaiian Host, manufacturer of Hawaiian Host chocolates, and established the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. to give back to the community by providing the gift of education to the young people of Hawaiʻi. Since 1993, the Foundation has annually presented scholarships to an outstanding student from every qualifying high school in the state and has awarded over $11 million to scholarship and academic enrichment programs throughout Hawaiʻi.
