HCFCU awards $20,000 in college scholarships

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union announced the recipients of its 2017 college scholarships.

A total of $20,000 was awarded to eight deserving Hawaii Island students planning to attend a two- or four-year institution of higher learning in the coming school year. One of the scholarships was awarded to a student continuing her education post-high school graduation.

The scholarships are named after a retired HCFCU employee and community volunteers who made important contributions to the credit union.

• The $2,500 Peter T. Hirata Scholarship was awarded to Andre Fazeli, a Konawaena High School graduate who intends to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.

• Shariah Mae Olomua, a Kamehameha Schools Hawaii graduate, was awarded the $2,500 Albert Akana Scholarship. Her career goal is to study business and law.

• The $2,500 Katsumasa Tomita Scholarship was presented to Danielle Brown. The Hilo High School graduate intends to become a professional writer.

• Lois Taylor, a graduate of Kealakehe High School, is the recipient of the $2,500 Frank Ishii Scholarship. Taylor will be studying environmental biology.

• The $2,500 Mitsugi Inaba Scholarship was awarded to Aaliyah Kamalii-Keka of Pahoa Intermediate and High School, who intends to pursue studies in nursing and Hawaiian language.

• Gabriella Boyle, a graduate of Kohala High School, was awarded the $2,500 Student Credit Union Scholarship. Boyle intends to pursue a career in psychology.

• The $2,500 John Y. Iwane Scholarship was awarded to Hawaii Preparatory Academy graduate Hailey Briseno. Briseno intends to pursue a career in ecosystem and marine sciences.

• Sarah Rouse of Wheaton College (Illinois) is the first winner of the $2,500 Yasunori Deguchi Scholarship.

For more information about Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union scholarships or services, visit www.hicommfcu.com.