Privacy Policy | About Our Ads
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation, Inc. has named nine high school seniors from Maui County as scholarship recipients of its annual Legacy Scholarship Program, winning $36,000 in scholarships.
The students were among 60 recipients, one from each qualifying public, charter and independent school in the state, who received scholarships based on their excellent academic achievement, dedication to community service and financial need. In total, the Foundation awarded $220,000 to students throughout the state in its Legacy Scholarship Program this year.
“Mr. and Mrs. Takitani, founders of Hawaiian Host, knew that hard work, commitment to excellence, and a strong dedication to one’s community were key factors in their success,” said KSSK Radio personality Michael W. Perry, chairman of the Takitani Foundation Board. “The Takitanis wanted to recognize those same qualities in Hawaiʻi’s outstanding students with support to further their education.”
Winner of one of the Foundation’s highest awards, Joshua Mori of Maui High School is the son of Matthew and Misoo Mori. An AP scholar and recipient of noteworthy commendations and awards throughout high school, Mori spent many volunteer hours protecting the environment by promoting renewable energy, caring for endangered native Hawaiian species and working with NASA to monitor climate change. He also actively devoted his time on many service projects for Maui High School and the Maui community. Mentors credit Mori’s success with his “intellectual curiosity, leadership and devotion to his community.” Mori will attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall.
$5,000 Award – Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools Finalist
The daughter of Jayson and Misty Vierra, Josie Vierra-Naleieha of Kamehameha Schools – Maui, aspires to become a physician with a long-term goal of making Hawaiʻi’s healthcare system more equitable for all. A National Honor Society member, Vierra-Naleieha is an active member of student government at Kamehameha Schools – Maui, the school yearbook and co-captain of the girls’ judo team. While maintaining a strong academic record throughout high school, Vierra-Naleieha volunteers at MALAMA Aquaponics and was a teacher’s assistant at Pukalani Elementary School during the summers. She will attend the University of Rochester this September.
$3,000 Awards – Maui District Public Schools
$3,000 Award – Hawaiʻi Association of Independent Schools
Isabelle Brown of Seabury Hall earned many academic distinctions throughout high school. An AP scholar, Brown repeatedly won the Head of School Award by maintaining an outstanding academic average while completing 36 hours of community service each year. A member of Seabury Hall’s student council, Brown also enjoyed athletics, serving as JV and varsity captain of the volleyball team, was captain of the golf team and mentored younger team members of the school’s paddling team. The daughter of Jonathan and Karmen Brown, she will major in architecture at the University of Utah this fall.
