Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union has announced the recipients of its 2017 college scholarships. A total of $20,000 was awarded to eight Hawaii Island recipients. Seven of the scholarships were awarded to high-school graduates planning to attend a two- or four-year institution of higher learning in the coming school year, and one of the scholarships was awarded to a recipient who is 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 HCFCU.
• The $2,500 Peter T. Hirata Scholarship was awarded to Andre Fazeli. The Konawaena High School graduate intends to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.
• Shariah Mae Olomua, a Kamehameha Schools Hawaii graduate, was awarded the $2,500 Albert Akana Scholarship. Olomua plans 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 Hailey Briseno who graduated from Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Briseno intends to pursue a career in ecosystem and marine sciences.
• Sarah Rouse of Wheaton College is the very first winner of our new $2,500 Yasunori Deguchi Scholarship. The scholarship is offered to high school graduates who could not attend college right after graduation or are currently in their second year of college and in need of further financial assistance.