Meet our 2018 Legacy Scholarship Winners
Mamoru Takitani
Outstanding Student Award
$10,000
Charles Tran
Henry J. Kaiser High School
Honolulu District
Aiko Takitani
Outstanding Student Award
$10,000
Mia Ricciardi
Kapaʿa High School
Kauai District
Karen Uno
Distinguished Student Award
$8,000
Hunter Worth
Kamehameha Schools Maui
Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools
District Finalist
$5,000
Jessica Chau
McKinley High School
Honolulu District
District Finalist
$5,000
Andrea Leomo
Aiea High School
Central District
District Finalist
$5,000
Miki Musgrove
Pearl City High School
Leeward District
Mildred Higashi
Director’s Award
$5,000
Lacey Shiigi
Hilo High School
Hawaii District
District Finalist
$5,000
Roland Afaga
Honokaʿa High School
Hawaii District
District Finalist
$5,000
Nikki Zamani
Lahainaluna High School
Maui District
District Finalist
$5,000
Sienna Byrne
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools
District Finalist
$5,000
John Nguyen
Damien Memorial High School
Hawaiʿi Catholic Schools
$2,000 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
HONOLULU DISTRICT
Kylie Carganilla
Farrington High School
Emi Lin Luo
Kaimuki High School
Keenan Goo
Kalani High School
Justin Wong
Roosevelt High School
CENTRAL O‘AHU DISTRICT
Kehau Campos
Mililani High School
Kylan Tomita
Moanalua High School
Destynee Fagaragan
Radford High School
Nikky Evangelista
Waialua High School
LEEWARD O‘AHU
Kyrus Lancaster
James Campbell High School
Isaac Badua
Kapolei High School
Cayenne Gabaylo
Nanakuli High and Intermediate School
Hiilei Iokia
Waianae High School
WINDWARD O‘AHU DISTRICT
Kahoʿopomaikai Kekua
Kailua High School
Presley Anderson
Kalaheo High School
HAWAI‘I DISTRICT
John Flores
Ka‘u High School
Crimel Juan
Keaʿau High School
Shaylee Thompson
Kealakehe High School
Naomi Ney
Kohala High School
Bethney de la Torre
Konawaena High School
Jeryll John Bernardo
Pahoa High School
Leira Joyce Vea
Waiakea High School
KAUA‘I DISTRICT
Drewan Pigao
Kauaʿi High School
Leilani Higashi
Waimea High School
MAUI DISTRICT
Kiki Bekkum
Hana High School
Caitlin Villarosa
Henry Perrine Baldwin High School
Janine Harris
King Kekaulike High School
Lino Yoshikawa
Maui High School
Caele Manley
Molokaʿi High School
HAWAII ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Megan Park
Assets School
Lorian Casem
Hanalani Schools
Joel Lau
Hawai‘i Baptist Academy
Jenna Ann Maruyama
‘Iolani School
Elise Pangelinan
Island Pacific Academy
Emily Sullivan
Island School
Lei‘ohu Tong
Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i
Shaylynne Matayoshi
Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
Kate Jeszenszky
Le Jardin Academy
Griffin Sagar
Maui Preparatory Academy
Allyson Kuwana
Mid-Pacific Institute
Mathias Migliorini-Marchesi
Parker School
Justin Abe
Punahou School
Darby Mulligan
Seabury Hall
Tracy Pham
Saint Andrew’s School
The Priory
Crystal Juyi Auz
Calvary Chapel Christian School
HAWAII CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Sage Iona
Maryknoll School
Kimi Tokunaga
Sacred Hearts Academy
Krislyn Martinez
Saint Anthony School
Malia Guerrero
Saint Francis School
Joseph Lyons
Saint Louis School
TAKITANI FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANTS
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. expands its reach into the community by awarding grants to non-profit organizations in support of their youth programs and educational initiatives.
The 13th Year Programs at Honolulu Community College and Windward Community College
The Boys and Girls Club of Hawai’i
The Building Industry Association Foundation
Chaminade University
The Children’s Discovery Center
The Children’s Foundation
The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College
The Educational Institute of Hawai’i
The Girl Scouts of Hawai’i
The Hawaii Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
The KA’I program at ’Iolani School
The Lawakua Charitable Fund
The Pacific and Asian Affairs Council
The Pacific Aviation Museum
Pacific Buddhist Academy
The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship, Shidler College, University of Hawai’i
The PUEO program at Punahou School
The Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation
The Susannah Wesley Community Center
The YMCA of Honolulu
The YWCA of Oahu
Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. Awards $181,000 in Academic Scholarships
May 17, 2017 —The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. has awarded $181,000 in scholarships to 62 exceptional seniors from every qualifying public and independent high school in Hawai‘i as part of its Legacy Scholarship Program. Three students were recognized with scholarship awards totaling $28,000. Two students received Outstanding Student Awards of $10,000 each and one student received a Distinguished Student Award of $8,000. Two students received Director’s Awards of $6,000 each. Nine high school seniors received $5,000 scholarships as district finalists and 48 students were awarded $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:
• Joseph Kim of Maui High School was awarded the Mamoru Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000 and will attend Columbia University in New York this Fall. He is the son of Sung Yun and Kyung Sook Kim.
• Leilani Chelliah of Kaimuki High School received the Aiko Takitani Outstanding Student Award of $10,000. Chelliah is the daughter of Anton Chelliah and will enroll at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa in the Fall.
• Lexie Leon of Maui Preparatory Academy was the recipient of the Karen Uno Distinguished Student Award of $8,000 and plans to attend Nova Southeastern University in Florida in the Fall. Leon is the daughter of Richard and Valerie Leon.
• Rudyjay Keopuhiwa, Jr. of Waianae High School received the Mildred Higashi Directors’ Award of $6,000. He is the son of Rudyjay and Malia Keopuhiwa and will enroll at Whitworth University in Washington in the Fall.
• Taryn Wong of Sacred Hearts Academy was the recipient of the Directors’ Award of $6,000. Wong is the daughter of Brian and Lisa Wong and will enroll at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland in the Fall.
District Finalists and recipients of $5,000 scholarships are as follows:
• Alyssa Lau of President Theodore Roosevelt High School. She is the daughter of Man Fai Lau and Ruixian Liao.
• Pomaikai Canaday of Leilehua High School. She is the daughter of Thomas and Edlene Canaday.
• Michael Caris Abagon of Mililani High School. He is the son of Michael Anthony and Cristina Abagon.
• Reina Mitsuda of James Campbell High School. She is the daughter of Rie Grow.
• Branda Chen of Kalaheo High School. She is the daughter of rank Chen and Diann Lee.
• Chloe Gan of Ka`u High School. She is the daughter of Thomas and Mary Sugrue.
• Sharay Rapozo of Waimea High School. She is the daughter of Roy and Shasta Rapozo.
• Tanner Riley of Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy. He is the son of Bryan and Tara Riley.
• Marcus Eugenio-Mendoza of Saint Louis School. His guardian is Fe Cardenas.
Recipients of $2,000 scholarships are as follows:
• Honolulu District: Jacynth Tate Agraan of Gov. Wallace Rider Farrington High School; Micah Mew of Henry J. Kaiser High School; Emily Yang of Kalani High School; Leo Wu of President William McKinley High School and Arden Patoc of University Laboratory School.
• Central O`ahu District: Nicole Arca of `Aiea High School; Jasmine Loo of Moanalua High School; Eugene Tunac of Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School and Saige-Caleigh Dayacos of Waialua High and Intermediate School.
• Leeward O`ahu District: Alexandria Borges of Kapolei High School; Joey Pantil of Nanakuli High & Intermediate School; Alex Yamada of Pearl City High School and Rhonaleih Joy Sao of Waipahu High School.
• Windward O`ahu District: Serena Castleberry of James B. Castle High School; Zamic Sullivan of Kahuku High & Intermediate School and Max Arakaki of Kailua High School.
• Hawai’i District: Leilahi Pupuhi of Honoka`a High & Intermediate School; Chayna Yoshida of Kea‘au High School; Gabrielle Tabbada of Kealakehe High School; Cosette Daniels of Pahoa High & Intermediate School and Kiaria Zoi Nakamura of Waiakea High School.
• Maui District: Katelynn Oliveira of Hana High School; Katie Yoshioka of Henry Perrine Baldwin High School; Erica Sawczynec of Kihei Charter School; Alexus Yoro of King Kekaulike High School; Ian Paul Viloria of Lana‘i High & Elementary School and Sonja Angst of Moloka‘i High School.
• Kaua`i District: Jayson Hawthorne of Kapa‘a High School and Sydney Brady of Kaua‘i High School.
• Hawai`i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS): Kelsey Ikeda of Assets School; Tarah Kuhn of Hanalani Schools; Lauren Lee of Hawai’i Baptist Academy; Cierra Nakamura of ‘Iolani School; Mark York of Island Pacific Academy; Carolyn Price of Island School; Naneaikealaula Thomas of Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i; Vance Farrant of Kamehmeha Schools Kapalama; Dorian Raboy-McGowan of Kamehameha Schools Maui; Alexandra Araki of La Pietra Hawai’i School for Girls; Miah Tapper of Le Jardin Academy; Kerri-Ann Kamei of Mid-Pacific Institute; Darien Jones of Parker School; Brent Shimoda of Punahou School; Milena LaMonica of Seabury Hall and Kaitlyn King of St. Andrew’s Schools, The Priory.
• Hawai`i Catholic Schools (HCS): Keila Lee of Damien Memorial School; Ian Paulo Santiago of Maryknoll School and Shinya Saito of Saint Francis 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.
Meet our 2016 Legacy Scholarship Winners
Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. Awards $111,000 in Academic Scholarships to 66 High School Seniors throughout the State
HONOLULU—The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. has awarded $111,000 in scholarships to 66 exceptional seniors from every qualifying public and independent high school in Hawaii as part of its Legacy Scholarship Program. Three students were recognized with scholarship awards totaling $28,000. Two students received Distinguished Student Awards of $10,000 each and one student received an Outstanding Student Award of $8,000. Ten high school seniors received $3,000 scholarships as district finalists and 53 students were awarded $1,000 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 distinguished and outstanding student awards are as follows:
- Moses Bae of Roosevelt High School was awarded the Mamoru Takitani Distinguished Student Award of $10,000 and will attend Notre Dame University in Indiana this September. He is the son of Jongdo Bae and Sungia Kim.
- Vivien Chen of McKinley High School received the Aiko Takitani Distinguished Student Award of $10,000. Chen is the daughter of Jane Yi Chen and will enroll at the Franklin Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts in the fall.
- Arianna Claveria of Kapolei High School was the recipient of the Karen Uno Outstanding Student Award of $8,000 and plans to attend Washington State University in the fall. Claveria is the daughter of Fred and Felonila Calveria.
District Finalists and recipients of $3,000 scholarships are as follows:
- Erin Evangelista of ‘Aiea High School. High School. She is the daughter of Erwin and Aileen Evangelista.
- Jacob Chang of Mililani High School. He is the son of Aaron and Melissa Chang.
- Sally Millon of Waipahu High School. Her guardians are Ceferino and Francisca Pactanac.
- Alexa Anderson of Kalaheo High School. She is the daughter of Mark and Janet Rupp.
- Erin Morikawa of Waiakea High School. She is the daughter of Lane and Lisa Morikawa.
- Cendall Manley of Moloka’i High School. She is the daughter of Randolph and Louise Manley.
- Alexis Hawks of Kapa’a High School. She is the daughter of Brett and Laura Hawks.
- Jamie Advincula of Maui Preparatory Academy. She is the daughter of Juan and Dominga Advincula.
- Skye Waipa of Parker School. She is the daughter of David Waipa and Lisa Siu.
- Huy Nguyen of Damien Memorial School. He is the son of Hien and Ngoc Nga Nguyen.
Recipients of $1,000 scholarships are as follows:
- Honolulu District: AJ Clifford Alcover of Farrington High School; Emily Wong of Kaimuki High School; Ria Oba of Kaiser High School; Yiju Huang of Kalani High School and Courtney Hiraoka of University Laboratory School.
- Central O`ahu District: William Smisek of Leilehua High School; Gina Watanabe of Moanalua High School; Juliya Key of Radford High School and Ashley Nakoa-Kawahakui of Waialua High and Intermediate School.
- Leeward O`ahu District: Brandon Lorezco of James Campbell High School; Clifford Cunningham of Nanakuli High and Intermediate School; Kiara-Lin Wasano of Pearl City High School and Kylee-Ray Burgess of Waianae High School.
- Windward O`ahu District: Jewels Oliquiano of James B. Castle High School; Tuiluaai-Ofa Roberts of Kahuku High and Intermediate School and Pablo Furukawa of Kailua High School.
- Hawai’i District: Kaimana Kawaha of Hilo High School; Dejan Perez of Honoka’a High and Intermediate School; Deisha Gascon of Ka’u High School; Eve Paguirigan of Kea’au High School; Sabrina Pike of Kealakehe High School; Yuki Zbytovsky of Kohala High School and Christoper Bartolome of Pahoa High and Intermediate School.
- Maui District: Nohea Stoner of Hana High School; Julia Kimoto of Henry Perrine Baldwin High School; Casey Hearl of King Kekaulike High School; Haleigh Berko of Lahainaluna High School; Nicholas Niimi of Lana’i High and Elementary School; Alssie Casayuran of Maui High School and Joseph Baldwin of Kihei Charter School.
- Kaua`i District: Caitlin Telles of Kaua’i High School and Tiffany Ishibashi of Waimea High School.
- Hawai`i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS): Jonnisty Monalim of Hanalani Schools; Sydney Suzuki of Hawai’i Baptist Academy; Hadley Beach of Hawai’i Preparatory Academy; Natalia Hayakawa of ‘Iolani School, Marc Delucchi of Island Pacific Academy; Emma Schneck of Island School; Raiden Domingo of Kamehameha Schools – Hawai’i; Nike-Michelle Tolentino of Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama; Mauliola Gonsalves of Kamehmeha Schools – Maui; Kristiana Petrie of La Pietra Hawai’i School for Girls; Taylor Souza of Le Jardin Academy; Destiny Jarrett-Stroud of Makua Lani Christian Academy; Nora Viarnes of Mid-Pacific Institute; Kassidy Kanja of Punahou School; Berry Beadles of Seabury Hall and Rachel Ho of St. Andrew’s Priory School.
- Hawai`i Catholic Schools (HCS): Vincent Nguyen of Maryknoll School; Maya Waldrep of Sacred Hearts Academy; Micah Leval of Saint Anthony Junior-Senior High School; Isaac Crichton of Saint Francis School and Quinton Matsuo-Chun of Saint Louis School.
NEW GALLERY
The new takitani.org website now includes a gallery page to feature our winners of the past as well as other Takitani Foundation events.
TAKITANI FOUNDATION STARTS NEW SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
Four Nonprofits To Start New Scholarship Programs with the Grants
(Honolulu, Nov. 24, 2014) — The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. added an extra round of grants to its regular high school scholarship program this year, this time to start new scholarship programs at four nonprofit organizations and institutions. With these new grants, the Foundation has awarded a total of $304,280 to promote scholarship in Hawaii this year.
Chaminade College received $50,000 to create a Takitani Entrepreneurship Scholar program for majors in entrepreneurship.
Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific will use its $40,000 grant to fund semester internships to medical students who declare physical therapy as their majors.
Shidler College of Business received $25,000 to create an entrepreneurship major for Takitani Innovation Fellows who “will provide strategic planning services to companies on issues relative to market experience, new product launch and acquisition.”
MEET OUR TOP SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS FOR 2014
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. has awarded $98,000 in scholarships to 62 exceptional seniors from every qualifying public and independent high school in Hawaii. Two students received Distinguished Student Awards of $10,000 each and a third student received an Outstanding Student Award of $5,000. Seven high school seniors received $3,000 scholarships as district finalists and 52 additional students were awarded $1,000 scholarships. Nominated by their respective schools, the award winners received scholarships based on their strong academic achievement, dedicated community service and financial need.
• Max Hsing-Huo Vinci of James B. Castle High School was the recipient of the Mamoru Takitani Distinguished Student Award of $10,000 and plans to attend Occidental University in September to study Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Planetary Science. He is the son of Robert and Glenda Vinci of Kaneohe.
• Erica Shin of Kalani High School was the recipient of the Aiko Takitani Distinguished Student Award of $10,000. Erica, the daughter of Scott and Unchong Shin of Honolulu, will enroll at the University of Hawaii – Manoa to pursue a career in medicine.
• Kelly Merrell of Admiral Arthur A. Radford High School was the recipient of the Karen Uno Outstanding Student Award of $5,000 and will pursue a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology at Auburn University in the fall.
District Finalists and recipients of $3,000 scholarships are as follows:
• Maria Andrea Jurado of Waipahu High School. She is the daughter of Andrew and Mary Grace Jurado.
• Sullivan Schuster of West Hawaii Explorations Academy. She is the daughter of Henry and Rebecca Schuster.
• Maile Naito of King Kekaulike High School. She is the daughter of Masato and Yoko Naito.
• Lani-Rae Green of Waimea High School. She is the daughter of Jerry and Yuka Green.
• Damien Farrant of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama. He is the son of Laurence and Kimberly Farrant,
• Santana Huck of Maui Preparatory Academy. He is the son of Markus and Erika Huck.
• Darren Zhao of Damien Memorial School. He is the son of Rui Zhong Zhao and Xiu Cai Zhou.
“Mr. and Mrs. Takitani’s legacy of commitment, dedication and generosity is honored each year through the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Scholarship Program,” 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.”
Mamoru and Aiko Takitani founded Hawaiian Host, Inc., manufacturer of Hawaiian Host chocolates, and established the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. to express their appreciation to the community by providing the gift of education to the young people of Hawaii. Since 1993, the Foundation has annually presented scholarships to an outstanding student from every qualifying high school in the state and has awarded over $1.9 million in scholarships.