2023 Takitani Scholarship Winners
Honoring Excellence, Service, and Legacy
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. (Takitani Foundation) has awarded $219,000 in scholarships to 60 exceptional seniors from every qualifying public and independent high school in Hawai`i as part of its Legacy Scholarship Program. Two students received Outstanding Student Awards of $10,000 each, one student received a Distinguished Student Award of $8,000, ten students received $5,000 District Finalist Scholarships, and 47 students were awarded $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:
Lian Fouse of President William McKinley High School was awarded the Mamoru Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000 and will attend the University of Southern California. He is the son of David and Jiaping Fouse.
Alicia Kaita of Kailua High School, winner of the $10,000 Aiko Takitani Outstanding Student Award, is the daughter of David and Mayumi Kaita. She will attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa.
Jairo Baguio-Larena, of H.P. Baldwin High School, son of Benedicto Larena Jr. and Edeluisa Bagio-Larena, won the Karen Uno Distinguished Student award of $8,000. He will attend Seattle University.
District Finalists and recipients of $5,000 scholarships are as follows:
Aiden Salazar of Hanalani Schools is the son of Jaymie Kimura-Kunimura.
Kaylee Yamada of Hilo High School is the daughter of Wayne and Leanne Yamada. Margaret Baluyot of Kapolei High School is the daughter of Gerry and Marcelina Baluyot.
Ryan Takenaka of Le Jardin Academy is the son of Alissa Takenaka.
Taylor Nawatani of Mililani High School is the daughter of Shaun and Diana Nawatani.
Kaden Yip of Roosevelt High School is the son of William Yip and Alice Yip.
Christopher Casupang of St. Louis School is the son of Christopher and Lianne Casupang.
Kalei Pollock of Waialua High School is the daughter of Kerilyn Pollock and Dane Pollock. Kimberly-Ann Vidinha of Waimea High School is the daughter of Harold and Wendy Vidinha
Mariah Iris Ramo of Waipahu High School is the daughter of Mary Ann Edu Ramo and Romeo Ramo Daguio Jr.
Recipients of $3,000 scholarships are as follows:
Honolulu District: Michael Ballesteros of Farrington High School is the son of Olimpio and Sheryl Ballesteros; Kira Rose Moananu of Kaimuki High School is the daughter of Calvin and Rose Moananu; Aimee Vierra of Kaiser High School is the daughter of John and Janice Vierra; Andrew Lee of Kalani High School is the child of Kyung and Keum Lee; and Katelynn Soriano of University Laboratory School is the daughter of Pedring and Donnali Soriano.
Central O‘ahu District: Cassie Matsumoto of Aiea High School is the daughter of Marc and Margielyn Matsumoto; Seth White of Leilehua High School is the son of Seth and Crystal White; Lauren d'Agrella of Moanalua High School is the daughter of Sylvester and Karen d'Agrella; and Jessica Cambe of Radford High School.
Leeward O‘ahu District: Ryanne Padayhag of James Campbell High School is the daughter of Julian and Jennifer Padayhag; Kealaokamaile Paz-Powell of Nanakuli High School is the daughter of Maelynn Paz; Thalia Perpignan of Pearl City High School is the daughter of Donald Perpignan Jr. and Melissa Nakamura; and Melody Eli of Waianae High School is the daughter of Elton and Abigail Eli.
Windward O‘ahu District: Logan Yamamoto of James B. Castle High School is the son of Reid and Maxine Yamamoto; Hehea Pulotu of Kahuku High and Intermediate School is the daughter of Matuu and Kathy Pulotu; Alicia Kaita of Kailua High School is the daughter of David and Mayumi Kaita; and Cameryn Lauro of Kalaheo High School is the daughter of Daniel and Karen Lauro.
Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS): Mitchell Kee Chong of Assets School is the son of Cynthia Nohara and Robert Kee Chong; Timothy Shimizu of Hawaii Baptist Academy is the son of Jian and Hisaaki Shimizu; Julia Visaya of ‘Iolani School is the daughter of Kristine Taguma-Visaya and Jay Visaya; Sebastian Banquil of Island Pacific Academy is the son of Andres and Jennifer Banquil; Chancen Law of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama is the son of Bruce and Chandra Law; Nina Jade Batacan of La Pietra - Hawaii School for Girls is the daughter of Christopher and Elaine Batacan; Madison Ibara of Mid-Pacific Institute is the daughter of Aaron and Carly Ibara; and Christine Lim of Punahou School is the daughter of Nam Jin and Grace Lim.
Hawai‘i Catholic Schools (HCS): Abigail Macaraeg of Damien Memorial School is the daughter of Eric and Agnes Macaraeg; Jasmine Lianalyn Rocha of Maryknoll School is the daughter of Kathy Lyn Rocha and Guadalupe Rocha Jr.; Ember-Joy Guevarra of Sacred Hearts Academy is the daughter of Edwin and Joan Guevarra; and Christopher Casupang of Saint Louis School is the son of Christopher and Lianne Casupang.
Hawai‘i District: Torrance Satta-Ellis of Konawaena High School is the son of Bobby Ellis and Molly Satta-Ellis; Landon Yanagisawa of Waiakea High School is the son of Penny Yanagisawa; Kimverly Mateo of Honoka`a High and Intermediate School is the daughter of Magielyn Mateo; Crystal Quigley of Ka'u High School is the daughter of Richard and Lorraine Quigley; Jyxzel Rhodz Bagaoisan of Kea`au High School is the son of Rodel and Baby Aurea Bagaoisan; Mehana Resetnikov of Kealakehe High School is the daughter of Yurik and Lindsay Resetnikov, and Hailey Kauanoe-Galdones of Kohala High School is the daughter of January Kauanoe.
Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools in Hawaiʻi County: Ciana-Lei Bence of Kamehameha Schools Hawaii is the daughter of Brian and Charmelei Bence.
Kaua‘i District: Madison Doo of Kapaʻa High School is the daughter of Erin Takekuma and Bryan Doo; and Natalie Lett of Kauai High School is the daughter of Gordon Lett.
Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools in Kauai County: Rayna Shafter of Island School is the daughter of Andres and Renate McMullen.
Maui District: Lilata Sansone of Hana High School is the daughter of Nicholas and Yuwaret Sansone; Kaitlin Kitagawa of King Kekaulike High School is the daughter of Kathy SuzukiKitagawa and Glen Kitagawa; Haley Mahoe of Lahainaluna High School is the daughter of Donald and Tamie Mahoe; Carl Brian Padron of Lanai High and Elementary School is the son of Emmanuel and Carol Padron; Shayna-Mae Wakayama of Maui High School is the daughter of Danica Lopes; and Jonah Sahagun of Molokai High school is the son of Kaleo and Krisha Puaa.
Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools in Maui County: Cami Nakagawa of Kamehameha Maui is the daughter of Eric and Karene Nakagawa; Niko Banto of Maui Preparatory Academy is the son of Luis and Kellie Banto; and Kayla Bush of Seabury Hall is the daughter of John and Terezia Bush.