Nephi’s Smokehouse recently established a scholarship in honor of the owner’s nephews, Dexen and Kaeden Matsuyama, who tragically died in a 2015 house fire.
“This is one of the ways we keep their spirits alive,” Nephi’s Smokehouse owner Nephi Agustin. “This year is the very first year being that it would be the year Dexen graduated from high school. We are grateful for our friends and ohana within the Kona community, statewide, as well as hanai ohana in Texas and California have helped us with our fundraising efforts.”
Receiving the $2,000 scholarship is Kaden Kaikali’i Kawa’akoa Baptista, son of Ikaika and Nohea Baptista. Kaden Baptista is a 2022 graduate of Villa Park High School in California and is attending Orange Coast College where he is pursing a degree in liberal arts.
“Kaden attended Holualoa Elementary School with Dexen. He has always honored Dexen and Kaeden in all he does on and off the football field. Even at his Graduation commencement ceremony,” said Agustin.”He is an exceptional role model for this generation of leaders. When the pandemic hit and Hawaii kids couldn’t play football, he made the sacrifice and left his friends, family here in Kona to attend school in California so he could play the sport he loves.”