2021 Takitani Scholarship Winners
Honoring Excellence, Service, and Legacy
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. awarded $225,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors throughout Hawaiʻi in 2021. Through its Legacy Scholarship Program, the Foundation recognized outstanding students from qualifying high schools across the state for their academic achievement and commitment to their communities.
Recipients of the Outstanding and Distinguished student awards are as follows:
Hana-Lei Ji of Parker School was awarded the Mamoru Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000.
Ashlie Ferido of Leilehua High School was awarded the Aiko Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000.
Jenna Kim of President Theodore Roosevelt High School was awarded the Karen Uno Distinguished Student Award of $8,000.
Recipients of $6,000 Directors’ Awards are as follows:
Matthew Marlon Gante of James Campbell High School.
Chasie Oandasan of Pearl City High School.
Christine Nguyen of Damien Memorial School.
District Finalists and recipients of $5,000 scholarships are as follows:
Hwa-Jin Kwak of Kaimuki High School.
Bethany Ballesteros of Mililani High School.
Hope Kanoa of Kalaheo High School.
Sandy Galvez of Keaʻau High School.
Donna Kim of Henry Perrine Baldwin High School.
Jotis Russell-Christian of Kapaʻa High School.
Tayson Hirayama of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy.
Recipients of $3,000 scholarships are as follows:
Honolulu District: Justus-Josiah Acoba of Gov. Wallace Rider Farrington High School; Jennifer Kimura of Henry J. Kaiser High School; Jing Ting Zheng of Kalani High School; Tracee Nguyen of President William McKinley High School; and Maria Quadri of University Laboratory School.
Central O‘ahu District: Jessica Chang of ʻAiea High School; Aubrey Skedeleski of Moanalua High School; Charmaine Megan Fagaragan of Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School; and Jenny Peters of Waialua High & Intermediate School.
Leeward O‘ahu District: McKenna Yoshinobu of Kapolei High School; Moanikeala Paz-Powell of Nanakuli High & Intermediate School; Emma Jhoanna Tilitile of Waiʻanae High School; and Skye Yasuda of Waipahu High School.
Windward O‘ahu District: Jayden Lau of James B. Castle High School; Tealani Wasson of Kahuku High & Intermediate School; and Bryce Jones of Kailua High School.
Hawai‘i Catholic Schools (HCS): Genesis Hahn of Maryknoll School; Carolei Edra of Sacred Hearts Academy; and Noah Chun of Saint Louis School.
Hawai‘i District: Kylie Kalauli of Hilo High School; Sheilyn Subia of Honokaʻa High & Intermediate School; Melakai Keohuloa of Kaʻu High School; Piliʻai Kaai of Kohala High School; Caileen Teramoto of Konawaena High School; Mahina Kaiawe-Rivera of Pahoa High & Intermediate School; and Kacie Tagawa of Waiakea High School Academy.
Maui District: Shayden Hoopai-Waikoloa of Hana High & Elementary School; Cole Uyehara of King Kekaulike High School; Cael Yasutake of Lahainaluna High School; Kaitlyn Purdy of Lanaʻi High & Elementary School; Jadynne Zane of Maui High School; and Reese Raguindin of Molokaʻi High School.
Kaua‘i District: Kaed Esposo of Kauaʻi High School and Kepler Niccore of Waimea High School.
Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS): Jupiter Silva of Assets School; Mia Johnson of Hanalani Schools; Angela Abinales of Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy; Alexia Maki of ʻIolani School; Lawren Santana of Island Pacific Academy; Hoʻohila Kawelo of Le Jardin Academy; Paige Ho of Mid-Pacific Institute; Calista Agmata of Punahou School; Kaci Stokes of Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama; Joshua Worth of Kamehameha Schools – Maui; Sophia Perry of Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi; Keeana Villamar of Maui Preparatory Academy; Sophia Riley of Island School; and Kristel Kezia Layugan of Seabury Hall.