HONOLULU — The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation Inc. has named nine high school seniors from Hawaii Island as scholarship recipients of its annual Legacy Scholarship Program.
The students were among 59 recipients, one from each qualifying public and independent school in the state, who received scholarships based on academic achievement, community service and financial need. In total, the foundation awarded $219,000 to students throughout the state in its Legacy Scholarship Program this year.
“Mr. and Mrs. Takitani, founders of Hawaiian Host, knew that hard work, commitment to excellence, and a strong dedication to one’s community were key factors in their success,” said KSSK Radio personality Michael W. Perry, chairman of the Takitani Foundation Board. “The Takitanis wanted to recognize those same qualities in Hawaii’s outstanding students with support to further their education.”
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DISTRICT FINALISTS ($5,000 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS)
— Estelle Dadzie of Hawaii Preparatory Academy is the daughter of Suzanne and Kwaoviga Dadzie. In her sophomore and junior years, Dadzie received recognition from the College Board for excellence in academic achievement, and has been on HPA’s Dean’s List every semester. Dadzie assists teachers at Kealakehe Intermediate School, is a member of HPA’s Shanti Alliance, and also participates in the school’s cross country and track and field teams. Hoping to have a career in nursing, Dadzie volunteered at Queens North Hawaii Community hospital in the summer of 2023, “to get some experience working in a hospital setting while being of service to [her] community.” She will be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the Fall.
— A senior at Waiakea High School, Maya Kaneshiro, is also a $5,000 District Finalist. The daughter of Shana and David Kaneshiro, Kaneshiro has earned academic honors at Waiakea since her freshman year. She has been a member of the school’s Girls Varsity Basketball team since her sophomore year and was a team captain of Waiakea’s track and field team. Kaneshiro has also competed with Special Olympic athletes in bocci ball competitions. She will attend Pacific University in Oregon next fall.
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HAWAII DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOL ($3,000 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS)
— Branson Hatakenaka of Hilo High School will attend the University of Southern California in the fall.
— River Aitken, the child of Thomas Aitken, is a senior at Honokaa High School and will attend Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore.
— Xiaoshun “Maria” Sun is a senior at Keaau High School, and the daughter of Anne Liuweichen. Sun will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., next fall.
— Maile-Lei Ji is the daughter of Etsuko and Bryan Ji. She will attend Princeton University.
— Jurney Miyamoto is the daughter of Tierra Ha‘alo‘u-Medeiros and Lealataua Aiolupotea. She will attend the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
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HAWAII ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ($3,000 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS)
— Ethan D’Ambrosio of Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, is the son of Natalie and Douglas D’Ambrosio. He will attend Dartmouth College in New Hampshire in the fall.
— Elwin Shotts, a senior at Parker School, is the son of Jennifer Futrell and Andrew Shotts. He will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., next fall.
Mamoru and Aiko Takitani founded Hawaiian Host, manufacturer of Hawaiian Host chocolates, and established the Takitani Foundation to give back to the community by providing the gift of education to the young people of Hawaii.