2022 Takitani Scholarship Winners
Honoring Excellence, Service, and Legacy
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. Three students were recognized with top scholarship awards totaling $28,000: two students received Outstanding Student Awards of $10,000 each and one student received the Karen Uno Distinguished Student Award of $8,000. One student received a Director’s Award of $6,000. Nine students were recognized as district finalists, with two receiving $6,000 scholarships and seven receiving $5,000 scholarships. Additional students from public and independent schools throughout the state received $3,000 scholarships. Nominated by their respective schools, the award winners received scholarships based on their strong academic achievement, dedicated community service and financial need.
Recipients of the Outstanding and Distinguished student awards are as follows:
Tyler Lee of Pearl City High School was awarded the Mamoru Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000.
Joanne Wong of Roosevelt High School received the Aiko Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000.
Kescher Nakahara-Akita of Mid-Pacific Institute was the recipient of the Karen Uno Distinguished Student Award of $8,000.
Natalie Dziuban of King Kekaulike High School received the Directors’ Award of $6,000.
District Finalists and recipients of $5,000 scholarships are as follows:
Emily Lei of McKinley High School received a $6,000 scholarship.
Kairi Gervacio of Aiea High School received a $6,000 scholarship.
Riley Lau of Moanalua High School received a $5,000 scholarship.
Jodecee Jardine of Waianae High School received a $5,000 scholarship.
Natali Keni of Kahuku High & Intermediate School received a $5,000 scholarship.
Camylie McDonald of Kealakehe High School received a $5,000 scholarship.
Angeline Chan of Kauai High School received a $5,000 scholarship.
Elvis Imamura of Iolani School received a $5,000 scholarship.
Savanna Peng of Sacred Hearts Academy received a $5,000 scholarship.
Recipients of $3,000 scholarships are as follows:
Honolulu District: Justus-Josiah Acoba of Farrington High School; YuBin Park of Henry J. Kaiser High School; Eun Ho Kim of Kalani High School; Miyu Owada of University Laboratory School and Andy Ye of Kaimuki High School.
Central O‘ahu District: Kamanakai Natividad of Leilehua High School; Kirah Evile of Mililani High School; Kyla Musso of Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School and Cyan Tyger Mezin of Waialua High & Intermediate School.
Leeward O‘ahu District: Christie Jiang of James Campbell High School; Timothy Wiley of Kapolei High School; Ella mae Faeldonea of Nanakuli High School and Taylor Fukunaga of Waipahu High School.
Windward O‘ahu District: Grace Andrade of James B. Castle High School; Madeline Tamura of Kailua High School and Clara Kathman of Kalaheo High School.
Hawai‘i District: Kylie Kalauli of Hilo High School; Jake Bannister of Honoka‘a High & Intermediate School; Baily Gapusan of Kea‘au High School; Kymani Alani of Konawaena High School; Mahina Kaiawe-Rivera of Pāhoa High & Intermediate School and Kacie Tagawa of Waiakea High School Academy. Kylie Kalauli is specifically identified in the PDF as the Mildred Higashi Director’s Award recipient.
Kaua‘i District: Alexander Henriques of Kapaa High School and Kamalani Goo of Waimea High School.
Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS): Mairi Travis of Assets School; Jacob Momohara of Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i; Destiny Lum of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama; Ku‘umakalehiwaonlani Ruidas of Kamehameha Schools Maui; Juliana Rhee of Le Jardin Academy; Eleanore Kowardy of Parker School; Noah Chung of Punahou School; Luc Guidroz of Seabury Hall; Milana Rose Camilon of Hanalani Schools; Kaylee Ann Tani of Hawai‘i Baptist Academy; Lily Kassis of Hawaii Preparatory Academy; Grace Martin of Maui Preparatory Academy; Kristin Chun of Island Pacific Academy; Joshua Dobashi of Island School; Victoria Hung of La Pietra; Naho Umitani of Pacific Buddhist Academy and Rhema Nakamura of Calvary Chapel Christian School.
Maui District: Temi‘i Pua of Hāna High & Elementary School; Kaylee Cordeiro of Baldwin High School; Kathryn Hussey of Lahainaluna High School; Mark Ruaburo of Lāna‘i High & Elementary School and Sophia Otsuka of Maui High School.
Hawai‘i Catholic Schools (HCS): Crishelle Ildefonso of Maryknoll School and Keythan Sato of Saint Louis School.