2024 Takitani Scholarship Winners
Honoring Excellence, Service, and Legacy
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. (Takitani Foundation) has awarded $219,000 in scholarships to 59 exceptional seniors from every qualifying public and independent high school in Hawaiʻi 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, one student received the Directors’ Award of $6,000, ten students received $5,000 District Finalist Scholarships, and 45 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:
Janae Dannica Garcia of Farrington High School was awarded the Mamoru Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000. She is the daughter of Donnabel Misagal and Jose Garcia and will attend Pitzer College, majoring in the medical field.
Jasmyn Yoshikawa of H.P. Baldwin High School was awarded the Aiko Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000. She is the daughter of Janice Yonamine and Brian Yoshikawa. An accomplished scholar-athlete, Yoshikawa will attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and major in Nursing.
Joelle Watanabe of Moanalua High School was awarded the Karen Uno Distinguished Student Award of $8,000. She is the daughter of Susan Watanabe and Russell Abe. Associated with the Future Health Professionals organization (HOSA), Watanabe will attend Boston University to study medicine.
Kaeo Yuen of Kamehameha Kapalama was awarded the Directors’ Student Award of $6,000. He is the son of Patrick Yuen and will attend Harvard University.
District Finalists and recipients of $5,000 scholarships are as follows:
Mailani Higa of Aiea High School is the daughter of Sonia and Zane Higa.
Estelle Dadzie of Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy is the daughter of Suzanne and Kwaoviga Dadzie.
Cali Ponciano of James B. Castle High School is the daughter of Evette Argayoso and Eric Ponciano.
Rachel Wong of Kaiser High School is the daughter of Vivian and Scott Wong.
Reyna Hunkin of Kapolei High School is the daughter of Amelia and Leonel Sigala.
Jeanine Marie Grace Longboy of Kauaʻi High School is the daughter of Maria Victoria and Eufemio Longboy Jr.
Kailer Ogata of Saint Louis School is the son of Marlo and Lance Ogata.
Ruby Kofron of Seabury Hall is the daughter of Rachel and Henry Kofron.
Maya Kaneshiro of Waiakea High School is the daughter of Shana and David Kaneshiro.
Angelica Santos of Waipahu High School is the daughter of Joy and Apolinario Santos.
Recipients of $3,000 scholarships are as follows:
Honolulu District: Josuna Kinsey of Kaimuki High School is the daughter of Suzanna and Benjamin Kinsey; Kate Shower of Kalani High School is the daughter of Wakako Suto and Michael Shower; Sterling Hitchcock of McKinley High School is the son of Loan Le and Lewis Hitchcock; Michelle Liang of Roosevelt High School is the daughter of Mei Lian Fang and Zhi Ang Liang; and Mason Choy of University Laboratory School is the son of Minako and James Choy.
Central O‘ahu District: Bryce Anzai of Leilehua High School is the son of Sherri and Lee Anzai; Grace Timoshchik of Mililani High School is the daughter of Melissa and Vlad Timoshchik; Anela Taong-Akana of Radford High School is the daughter of Rachel and Paul Akana; Kayuga Jade de Guzman of Waialua High & Intermediate School is the daughter of Jasmin and Jonathan de Guzman; and Isabella Minaudo of Hawaiʻi Technology Academy is the daughter of Christina and Michael Minaudo.
Leeward O‘ahu District: Trista Silva of James Campbell High School is the daughter of Cherise Matsumura and Troy Silva; Puʻuwailaʻahiamaikalani Duarte of Nanakuli High School is the daughter of Bonnie and Keoki Duarte; Jeazelle Mei Garlitos of Pearl City High School is the daughter of Liza and George Garlitos; and Denise Pawleen Cabrera of Waiʻanae High School is the daughter of Jana Pawla Cabrera.
Windward O‘ahu District: Alana Lee of Kahuku High & Intermediate School is the daughter of Cherisse and Alfred Lee; Sage Andrews of Kailua High School is the daughter of Shelly and Jesse Andrews; and Maia Payne of Kalaheo High School is the daughter of June Cunningham and Greggory Payne.
Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS): Noelani Glorioso of Assets School is the daughter of Lori and John Glorioso; John Medeiros of Le Jardin Academy is the son of Ann and Jayson Medeiros; Ava Lee of Mid-Pacific Institute is the daughter of Lois and Colyn Lee; Akira Iwata of Punahou School is the son of Noriko and Tad Iwata; Samantha Fujimoto of Hanalani Schools is the daughter of Wendy and Dean Fujimoto; Hannah Cheng of Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy is the daughter of Sunah and Jackson Cheng; Rumaysha Momen of ʻIolani School is the daughter of Nargis Sultana and Saiful Momen; and Devan Butler of Island Pacific Academy is the son of Renee and Michael Butler.
Hawai‘i Catholic Schools (HCS): Rissalyn Hara of Maryknoll School is the daughter of Callie and Brice Hara; and Isabella Rabelo Dos Santos of Sacred Hearts Academy is the daughter of Cristina Rabelo and Wagner Dos Santos.
Hawai‘i District: Bransen Hatakenaka of Hilo High School is the son of Jenny and Brandon Hatakenaka; River Aitken of Honokaʻa High School is the child of Thomas Aitken; Xiaoshun Sun of Keaʻau High School is the daughter of Anne Liuweichen; Maile-Lei Ji of Kealakehe High School is the daughter of Etsuko and Bryan Ji; and Jurney Miyamoto of Pahoa High & Intermediate School is the daughter of Tierra Haʻaloʻu-Medeiros and Lealataua Aiolupotea.
Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools in Hawaiʻi County: Ethan DʻAmbrosio of Kamehameha Hawaiʻi is the son of Natalie and Douglas DʻAmbrosio; and Elwin Shotts of Parker School is the son of Jennifer Futrell and Andrew Shotts.
Maui District: Tara Zamani of Kihei Charter School is the daughter of Tahereh and Ardie Zamani; Madison Strand of King Kekaulike High School is the daughter of Amy and Darren Strand; Carla Mae Agrade of Lahainaluna High School is the daughter of Meriam and Carlito Agrade; Alexa Pascual of Lānaʻi High & Elementary is the daughter of Olivia and Neizen Pascual; Alexandra Luisdottir Perez of Maui High School is the daughter of Sandra Vidisdottir and Luis Perez; and Naneaikauhaahaa Poaha-Kaai of Molokaʻi High School is the daughter of Anuhea Kaai and James Wilfred Poaha.
Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools in Maui County: Zsyla Honda of Kamehameha Maui is the daughter of Yhrina and Kyle Honda; and Pierce Armstrong of Maui Preparatory Academy is the son of Sabine and Kelly Armstrong.
Kaua‘i District: Ian Ramson Garces of Kapaa High School is the son of Efreline and Nathaniel Garces; and Sofia Saunders of Waimea High School is the daughter of Pamela and Timothy Saunders.
Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools in Kauaʻi County: Mahina Dameron of Island School is the daughter of Cynthia and Jason Dameron.