MEDIA RELEASE

Six Hawaii Island high school seniors are the recipients of scholarships from the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union.

The annual scholarships are awarded to graduates intending to attend a two or four-year institute of higher learning in the coming school year.

The Credit Union received 54 applications from students at 11 Hawaii Island high schools. Five scholarships – each in the amount of $2,500 – are named after a community volunteer who made important contributions to the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union.

An additional $1,000 Student Credit Union scholarship was also presented to a deserving student.

The $2,500 John Y. Iwane Scholarship, given to a student who plans to enter an agriculture-related field of study, was presented to Kawehi Marie Kane Lopez. The Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii graduate intends to pursue a career as an environmental lawyer.

The $2,500 Peter T. Hirata Scholarship was awarded to Paula Maria Rincon. The Honokaa High School graduate intends to pursue a career as a radiologist.

Trevor Tatsuya Yamagata, a Konawaena High School graduate, was awarded the $2,500 Albert Akana Scholarship. Yamagata career goal is to become an optometrist.

The $2,500 Katsumasa Tomita Scholarship was presented to Malia Anne Santos. The Kealakehe High School graduate intends to become a pediatrician.

Keelee Jade Martin, a graduate of Makua Lani Christian School, is the recipient of the $2,500 Frank Ishii Scholarship. Martin intends to pursue a degree in marine biology.

The $1,000 Student Credit Union Scholarship was presented to Michael John Nelson, a graduate of Kohala High School, who intends to pursue a career in computer engineering.

“These scholarships are part of the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union’s commitment to serving the youth in our community,” said James Takamine, President/CEO of Hawaii Community FCU. “We want our children to appreciate the importance of education and for more than 25 years the Credit Union has fostered this appreciation with annual scholarships to deserving students. Our hope is that these young people will go on to establish themselves in a career of their choice and be contributing citizens in their community.”

— Find out more:
www.hicommfcu.com