2018 Takitani Scholarship Winners
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. awarded scholarships to exceptional seniors from qualifying public and independent high schools throughout Hawai‘i as part of its Legacy Scholarship Program. Two students received Outstanding Student Awards of $10,000 each, one student received the Karen Uno Distinguished Student Award of $8,000, and one student received the Mildred Higashi Director’s Award of $5,000. Seven high school seniors received $5,000 scholarships as district finalists, while students from schools across the state received $2,000 scholarships. Nominated by their respective schools, the award winners received scholarships based on their strong academic achievement, dedicated community service and financial need.
“Mr. and Mrs. Takitani’s legacy of commitment, dedication and generosity is honored each year through the Takitani Scholarship Foundation,” said KSSK Radio personality Michael W. Perry, Chairman of the Board of the Takitani Foundation. “The Takitanis knew hard work, innovation and commitment to excellence were key factors in their success with Hawaiian Host, and wanted to recognize those same qualities in Hawaii’s outstanding students with the opportunity to further their education.”
Recipients of the Outstanding and Distinguished student awards are as follows:
Charles Tran of Henry J. Kaiser High School was awarded the Mamoru Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000.
Mia Ricciardi of Kapa‘a High School received the Aiko Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000.
Hunter Worth of Kamehameha Schools Maui was the recipient of the Karen Uno Distinguished Student Award of $8,000.
Lacey Shiigi of Hilo High School received the Mildred Higashi Directors’ Award of $5,000.
District Finalists and recipients of $5,000 scholarships are as follows:
Jessica Chau of McKinley High School.
Andrea Leomo of Aiea High School.
Miki Musgrove of Pearl City High School.
Roland Afaga of Honoka‘a High School.
Nikki Zamani of Lahainaluna High School.
Sienna Byrne of Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
John Nguyen of Damien Memorial High School.
Recipients of $2,000 scholarships are as follows:
Honolulu District: Kylie Carganilla of Farrington High School; Emi Lin Luo of Kaimuki High School; Keenan Goo of Kalani High School and Justin Wong of Roosevelt High School.
Central O‘ahu District: Kehau Campos of Mililani High School; Kylan Tomita of Moanalua High School; Destynee Fagaragan of Radford High School and Nikky Evangelista of Waialua High School.
Leeward O‘ahu District: Kyrus Lancaster James of Campbell High School; Isaac Badua of Kapolei High School; Cayenne Gabaylo of Nanakuli High and Intermediate School and Hiilei Iokia of Waianae High School.
Windward O‘ahu District: Kaho‘opomaikai Kekua of Kailua High School and Presley Anderson of Kalaheo High School.
Hawai‘i District: John Flores of Ka‘u High School; Crimel Juan of Kea‘au High School; Shaylee Thompson of Kealakehe High School; Naomi Ney of Kohala High School; Bethney de la Torre of Konawaena High School; Jeryll John Bernardo of Pahoa High School and Leira Joyce Vea of Waiakea High School.
Maui District: Kiki Bekkum of Hana High School; Caitlin Villarosa of Henry Perrine Baldwin High School; Janine Harris of King Kekaulike High School; Lino Yoshikawa of Maui High School and Caele Manley of Moloka‘i High School.
Kaua‘i District: Drewan Pigao of Kaua‘i High School and Leilani Higashi of Waimea High School.
Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS): Megan Park of Assets School; Lorian Casem of Hanalani Schools; Joel Lau of Hawai‘i Baptist Academy; Jenna Ann Maruyama of ‘Iolani School; Elise Pangelinan of Island Pacific Academy; Emily Sullivan of Island School; Lei‘ohu Tong of Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i; Shaylynne Matayoshi of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama; Kate Jeszenszky of Le Jardin Academy; Griffin Sagar of Maui Preparatory Academy; Allyson Kuwana of Mid-Pacific Institute; Mathias Migliorini-Marchesi of Parker School; Justin Abe of Punahou School; Darby Mulligan of Seabury Hall; Tracy Pham of Saint Andrew’s School, The Priory and Crystal Juyi Auz of Calvary Chapel Christian School.
Hawai‘i Catholic Schools (HCS): Sage Iona of Maryknoll School; Kimi Tokunaga of Sacred Hearts Academy; Krislyn Martinez of Saint Anthony School; Malia Guerrero of Saint Francis School and Joseph Lyons of Saint Louis School.
Mamoru and Aiko Takitani founded Hawaiian Host, Inc., 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 Hawaii. Hawaiian Host donates part of the proceeds from the sales of Hawaiian Host products to the Foundation in support of its scholarship programs. Since 1993, the Foundation has annually presented scholarships to an outstanding student from every qualifying high school in the state and has awarded over $2.4 million in scholarships through its programs.