Hawaii Island youths become Eagle Scouts

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Glenn Sako, Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts of America Troop 19, announces that Dane Sako and Tyler Kojima are the troop’s newest Eagle Scouts. Less than 4 percent of the nation’s scouts reach this rank by the age of 18.

Glenn Sako, Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts of America Troop 19, announces that Dane Sako and Tyler Kojima are the troop’s newest Eagle Scouts. Less than 4 percent of the nation’s scouts reach this rank by the age of 18.

The troop is sponsored by the Waiakea Lions Club and holds troop meetings at the United Community Church.

A 2012 graduate of Waiakea High School, Sako is enrolled in Shidler’s College of Business Honors Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he is majoring in accounting. Sako has been involved in numerous high school and college extra-curricular organizations such as the National Honor Society, Key Club, Swim Team, Financial Management Association, Int’l Business Organization and Japanese Culture Club.

Sako’s scouting highlights included holding positions such as senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, scribe, patrol leader and completed a 68-mile trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch. Sako’s Eagle Scout Project consisted of constructing a chain link fence at the United Community Church’s parsonage. The fence provides a safe play area, preventing children from running onto the nearby roadway. He was assisted by donations from Central Supply, Dakujaku Contracting, Jas W. Glover, Island Survey Incorporated, United Community Church and Sako Nursery. Dane is the son of Glenn and Wendy Sako of Hilo.

A 2013 graduate of Waiakea High School, Tyler Kojima has been active in numerous extracurricular activities involving his school’s business pathway, DECA, student government, and Young Life. Throughout his 12 years in scouting, Kojima’s scouting highlights included holding numerous leadership positions such as senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, scribe, patrol leader and participating in numerous service projects.

Kojima’s Eagle project reflects his desire to honor and give back to the elderly in our community. He coordinated the assembly and installation of a custom-made first-aid kit for each of the 62 units at the Kamana Elderly Apartments in Hilo. This project involved months of coordination and donation requests for first-aid items from generous businesses in the community. He was helped by KTA Super Stores, Kamana Elderly Apartments, Big Island Housing Foundation, Ace Hardware, Dr. Kevin Kurohara, Dr. Henry Lee Loy, Dr. Benjamin Ono, Mr. Kevin Sakai, Dr. Craig Shikuma and Wal-Mart. Tyler plans to enter into the field of business and will be attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo in the fall. He is the son of Dave and Sheri Kojima of Hilo.

Both Kojima and Sako encourage youths to join the scouting community, which provides many opportunities for boys to develop character, scouting skills and give back to the community.