This year’s Fujimoto Four is star-studded, consisting of athletes who earned their massive popularity.
The scholarship recipients are Torrance Sata-Ellis, Landon Yanagisawa, Tevin Atwal and Kai Jon Hayashida.
The scholarship program is named after former BIIF executive director Roy Fujimoto, and is sponsored by KTA Super Stores and the BIIF.
The recipients — who each receive $1,500 — are chosen based on their athletic and academic achievement, as well as community service.
Kai Jon Hayashida
On top of being one of the island’s most formidable swimmers, Hayashida has already made a name for himself as a local sports journalist.
The Hilo High School valedictorian has dedicated countless hours to sports broadcasting as the KVIKS Chief Commentator and as a Naleo TV Intern. This Fall, he will attend Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington to study Journalism.
“Kai’s ability to be part of and learn by announcing [games] has taught him much as he continues to grow in finding success in the career choice he has made for his future,” HHS Student Activities Coordinator Charlene Masuhara said in a letter of recommendation. “But it is not only in broadcasting that Kai has found success, he is also an outstanding student athlete.”
In the pool, he has placed first in seven BIIF Championship events throughout his career and holds two BIIF records. In February, he won the gold medal for the 200 yard individual medley at the HHSAA State Championship — becoming the first BIIF athlete in 65 years to do so.
“I truly felt like I had the community on my back,” Hayashida said, “and I wanted to win so badly for everyone back home. When I hit the wall and saw that I won, I began crying because of the jubilation.”
Hayashida has a 4.14 cumulative GPA , holds a leadership position in HHS’ Key Club and served as a representative for the Big Island on the Hawaiian Swimming Board.
Ready to push his boundaries, Hayashida joined Hilo’s track team his junior year. He was already a champion athlete, but running proved to be a new and welcome challenge for him.
“The best part of the season was being part of a team, a team that didn’t care that I was slower than they were,” Hayashida said. “We all got closer as the season moved on and I learned to enjoy the journey — practice to perform the best that I can and not necessarily for a position.”
Tevin Atwal
Atwal is a star on the field, in the classroom and around the community — excelling in every area of life and garnering an extensive list of achievements.
The Waiakea soccer player and track runner will graduate at the top of his class with a 4.115 GPA, as well as a handful of college credits from AP courses and a course at Hawaii Community College.
He will continue his academic career in Silicon Valley, studying computer science and engineering at Santa Clara University.
Atwal is Class Treasurer, and has taken part in WHS’ Student Government Association since his freshman year.
Outside of school, he is United Vice President of Hilo’s Junior Young Buddhist Association (Jr. YBA) and served as a delegate at the 2022 Jr. YBA State Convention. Since 2017, he has assisted with Jr. YBA’s Feed the Hungry events — cooking and serving food for the homeless.
“One of the most important values that I have learned from my family is to work hard,” Atwal said. “Excelling in school has always been a top priority in my family. I embrace this value and push myself every day.
“I use this drive to also excel in sports. I was never the greatest soccer player, but my love for the game and my diligence made me the player I am today.”
This winter, Atwal was an All-BIIF DI First-Team selection, a ScoringLive All-Hawaii Honorable Mention and a Star-Advertiser All-State Honorable Mention. He was the No. 4 scorer in Division I statewide with 20 goals, notching two hattricks for the season.
“(Atwal) is a student athlete that targets goals and works hard to accomplish them,” WHS coach David Urakami said. “He possesses the ambition to be effective on and off the field. With Tevin’s superior knowledge and involvement in athletics and extracurricular activities, he developed a strong sense of confidence with a charming attitude.
“Therefore, his coaches can always depend on him to set the best example as a mentor.”
Landon Yanagisawa
Yanagisawa is Atwal’s classmate, fellow Jr. YBA member, student council member and peer among the top of their class — graduating with a 4.068 GPA.
At a young age, he suffered a tragic loss in his family — but found motivation and strength through his struggle.
The cross country and track runner placed second in the 5000 meter run during the 2022 BIIF Mixed Open Championship.
“The moment I realized that I had made a qualifying time at BIIF’s for (the HHSAA State Championship) was the most exhilarating and accomplished feeling of my athletic career,” Yanagisawa said. “At that very moment, it felt as if all those long hours of practice, races and commitment had paid off.”
Yanagisawa’s excellence has earned him recognition from many community members, and he was also a recipient of the Wayne “Big Dog” Joseph Scholarship.
“Landon is a shining example of a well-rounded student,” WHS Student Activities Coordinator Patti Nishimoto said. “He excels in academics with a cumulative GPA of 4.068, but also finds altruistic activities important — which is why he’s been a member of the Interact, Leo and Key clubs.”
Yanagisawa dreams of becoming a commercial pilot, but also has a passion for music. The seven-year band member and 2022-23 Hawaii Youth Symphony oboist will attend Chapman University this Fall to study music education.
“Last quarter, I got to watch (Yanagisawa) serve as conductor of our school band,” WHS teacher Julie Arasato said. “Watching him stand there leading the band, I was so proud of him and the confidence that he had.
“He is resilient, and because of that, I am confident that he will be successful in any university and career he chooses.”
Torrance
Ro‘onui Sata-Ellis
Sata-Ellis bears similarities to Yanagisawa, not only because he also won the Big Dog and Fujimoto scholarships, but because he too overcame family tragedy and achieved excellence.
The Konawaena High School football player and track champion is highly active around his community, and is a Motutele Fireknife performer of six years.
“My hunger to succeed resonates within me from the foundation of my mother,” Sata-Ellis said. “Her inspiration has always been to set my standards high and advocate for yourself.
“She has always put her children ahead of herself and proclaimed the importance of being a leader and always embracing teamwork on the field, classroom and community.”
His values have been recognized and appreciated by his coaches, peers and teachers alike.
“Ro‘o is involved in school and community,” KHS teacher Jeffrey Duggan said. “His extracurricular activities are impressive, especially when taking into account this academic schedule of advanced placement classes., which require a massive amount of homework.
“I can unequivocally state that Ro‘o’s intellectual promise and future are endless.”
