MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union has awarded seven scholarships to deserving Hawaii Island high school seniors who plan to attend two- or four-year institutes of higher learning.

This marks the 25th year of scholarship awards by the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union. This year’s call for applications drew 90 applicants from 15 high schools on the Island of Hawaii and resulted in the awarding of five $2,500 scholarships and two $1,000 scholarships.

“Investing in our community by supporting these deserving college-bound students is one of the many ways our credit union lives up to its philosophy of ‘people helping people’ and pays tribute to our institution’s own humble beginnings,” said James Takamine, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union president/CEO. “I congratulate our seven winners and wish them every success.”

Each of the five $2,500 scholarships is named after a community volunteer who has made important contributions to the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union.

* Jonathan Chow of Keaau High School is the recipient of the John Y. Iwane Scholarship, which is presented to a student who plans to enter an agriculture-related field of study. Chow will attend Whitman College and study environmental animal science and agronomy

* Maura Montenero of Kealakehe High School is the recipient of the Peter T. Hirata Scholarship. She plans to attend the University of Denver and pursue a career in orthopedics and sports medicine

* Carrie Ga-Lai Ip of Waiakea High School is the recipient of the Albert Akana Scholarship. She plans to attend the University of Hawaii-Hilo and become a physician

* Ariana Nussbaum of Laupahoehoe High School is the recipient of the Katsumasa Tomita Scholarship. Nussbaum plans to attend Mills College and become a writer

* Logan Borowski of Hawaii Preparatory Academy is the recipient of the Frank Ishii Scholarship. He will attend Cal Poly and pursue a degree in engineering/design

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union also awarded two $1,000 scholarships; these were given in the name of their school’s Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union-sponsored Student Credit Union.

Awardees are:

* Wyatt Souza of Kohala High School who plans to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa and pursue a career in teaching

* Anuhea Wall of Konawaena High School who will attend the University of Oregon and pursue a career as a counseling psychologist

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union has been serving its members for 74 years. It is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, wholly owned by its more than 38,000 members, with branches in Kealakekua, Kailua Kona, Kaloko, Kohala and Honokaa.

In addition to complete checking and savings services, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union offers credit cards, auto, mortgage, construction, small business, educational and personal loans, and investment services.

It sponsors Student Credit Unions at Kealakehe, Konawaena and Kohala High Schools and student savings programs at Konawaena, Kealakehe, Honaunau and Holualoa Elementary Schools.

Membership in Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is open to all island residents.

— Find out more:
www.hicommfcu.com