Announcements for Friday, December 22, 2023

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HCFCU announces 2023 scholarship recipients &opens applications for 2024 scholarships

KAILUA-KONA, HI – Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU) is proud to announce the recipients of its annual scholarship program for 2023. Celebrating its 37 th year, the program expanded from eight awardees to ten in 2023, each receiving a $3,000 scholarship to attend a two or four-year institution of higher learning. Additionally, HCFCU is pleased to announce that applications for the 2024 scholarship program are now being accepted through March 4, 2024.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be a graduating senior or post graduate from any Hawaii Island high school and plan to attend a two or four-year college as a full-time student in the next school year. The ten scholarships are named after distinguished volunteers and managers who have made a significant impact on our Credit Union. The 2023 awardees are: John Y. Iwane Scholarship: McKenzie Tim Sing, Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u Iki LPCS, Environmental Studies at Chaminade University of Honolulu

•Peter T. Hirata Scholarship: Sienna Chanhmany, Waiakea High School, Business at the University of San Francisco

• Albert Akana Scholarship: Ciara Blaber, Kealakehe High School, Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

•Katsumasa Tomita Scholarship: Pu‘uwaiha‘a Kalauoka‘ae‘a-Kahele, Hilo High School, Public Health at Lewis &Clark College

•Frank Ishii Scholarship: Sophia Burgess, Konawaena High School, Environmental Studies and Governmental Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

•Mitsugi Inaba Scholarship: Ava Leilani Shimabuku, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, Sociology at Grand Canyon University

•Michael Asam Scholarship: Adriana Leitch, Kohala High School, Psychology at the University of

Hawaii at Manoa Yasunori Deguchi Scholarship: Shyla Williams, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Nursing

•Ichiro Shikada Scholarship: Kristine Domingo-Peregrino, Honokaa High School, Dental Hygiene at the University of Hawaii at Manoa

•Edwin Ueda Scholarship: Vaihere Otare, Hawaii Community College, Nursing

These deserving students have demonstrated exceptional academic achievements, community involvement, and a strong commitment to their future goals. The 2023 Scholarship Program reaffirms HCFCU’s commitment to investing in Hawai‘i Island keiki and creating opportunities for educational advancement. Students interested in applying for the 2024 scholarship program are encouraged to visit hicommfcu.com/scholarships for additional information.

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, federally insured financial institution owned by its 47,000 members.. HCFCU also supports numerous Hawaii Island non-profit organizations and community events. Membership in Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is open to all Hawaii Island residents. For more information visit www.hicommfcu.com.

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