Mufi's Message, April 27th

HLTA contributes $52,000 to high school seniors at the 2018 Citizen Scholar Awards
 
It was an exciting day for forty-two high school seniors from across the state, as we recognized them for their accolades, achievements, and acts of community service at our annual Citizen-Scholar Awards.  Over 200 students, family members, school officials, and HLTA members attended the awards program, held at the newly renovated ‘Alohilani Resort on Tuesday April 24th in the Bluefin banquet room.  This year marked the 14th year that the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and the Department of Education have partnered on this event awarding one student from each of Hawai’i’s state public high schools with a $1,000 scholarship.  Students were selected by dint of their scholastic achievement, as well as their impressive contributions to their school and community.
 
The awards luncheon opened with welcoming remarks from Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Chief Revenue Officer, Dave Kennedy, Superintendent of Education, Dr. Christina Kishimoto, and yours truly.  During the luncheon, the students had the opportunity to meet with and thank their sponsors for the generous support provided.

This year’s Citizen-Scholar Awardees are:
​
​Briana K. Hafer
Aiea High School
Sponsor: Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
 
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Camille S. Kimoto
Baldwin High School
Sponsor: Alaska Airlines
 
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Masina K. Kalama
Campbell High School
Sponsor: Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach
 
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Alison M. Tomooka
Castle High School
Sponsor: Enterprise Rent-A-Car
 
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Keith Christine R. Agcaoili
Farrington High School
Sponsor: The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
 
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Kiki J. Bekkum
Hana High and Elementary School
Sponsor: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

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Kailee C. Kurokawa
Hilo High School
Sponsor: Castle Resorts & Hotels

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Shania-Ku‘ulei Ebreo
Honoka‘a High and Intermediate School
Sponsor: KTA Super Stores

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Nohea M. Uluave
Kahuku High and Intermediate School
Sponsor: International Market Place

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Kaho‘opomaika‘i N. Kekua
Kailua High School
Sponsor: Trump International Hotel Waikiki

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Rojelle Y. Bohol
Kaimuki High School
Sponsor: Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra

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Shannon K. Murphy
Kaiser High School
Sponsor: The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel

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Ami Kinnamon
Kalaheo High School
Sponsor: Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

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Rovi C. Porter
Kalani High School
Sponsor: Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

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Taylor A. Relacion
Kapa‘a High School
Sponsor: Hawai‘i Gas

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 ​Collin T. Miyata
Kapolei High School
Sponsor: Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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 Maile Ibarra
Ka‘u High and Pahala Elementary School
Sponsor: University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, School of Travel Industry Management

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 Deven S. Kimoto
Kaua‘i High School
Sponsor: Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association-Kaua‘i Chapter

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Kawaiokapualeilehua O. Kaneakua-Rauschenburg
Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Anuenue (Anuenue School)
Sponsor: Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
 
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Crismel Juan
Kea‘au High School
Sponsor: Hawai‘i Gas
 
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Maya K. Gee
Kealakehe High School
Sponsor: Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association-Hawai‘i Island Chapter

Jaden H.W. Rivera
King Kekaulike High School
Sponsor: Maui Hotel & Lodging Association

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Mary Marvelanne Clark
Kohala High School
Sponsor: Mauna Kea Resort
 
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Ronald K. Crivello-Kahihikolo
Konawaena High School
Sponsor: Hawaiian Airlines
 
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M’Chelle L.B. Aguinaldo
Lahainaluna High School
Sponsor: Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club
 
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Millena Lynne C. Calilao
Lana‘i High and Elementary School
Sponsor: Pulama Lana‘i
 
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Tahina M. Alailima
Leilehua High School
Sponsor: Sheraton Waikiki Resort
 
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Emily N. Mitra
Maui High School
Sponsor: Island Movers
 
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Yun Huen Cheng
McKinley High School
Sponsor: First Hawaiian Bank
 
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Alyssa Ann H.K. Yamada-Barretto
Mililani High School
Sponsor: Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach
 
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Arel Jane R. Ragasa
Moanalua High School
Sponsor: Hale Koa Hotel
 
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Anuhealani B. Davis-Mendija
Moloka‘i High School
Sponsor: Chelsea Group
 
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Kanani K. Diamond
Nanakuli High and Intermediate School
Sponsor: The Hawaiian Electric Companies
 
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Jeryll John V. Bernardo
Pahoa High and Intermediate School
Sponsor: Big Island Candies
 
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Mahina Bachiller
Pearl City High School
Sponsor: Outrigger Enterprises Group
 
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Jamie L. Hearther
Radford High School
Sponsor: Aqua-Aston Hospitality
 
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Alicia K. Briseno-Aurio
Roosevelt High School
Sponsor: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
 
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Leira Joyce E. Vea
Waiakea High School
Sponsor: KTA Super Stores
 
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Matthan K. Hatchie
Waialua High and Intermediate School
Sponsor: Interstate Restoration Hawaii, Inc.
 
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Camren N. Keawe
Waianae High School
Sponsor: Halekulani Corporation
 
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Braden K.H. Kobayashi
Waimea High School
Sponsor: DOW Agrosciences
 
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Jillian N. Tubana
Waipahu High School
Sponsor: Halekulani & Waikiki Parc Hotel

Last year, HLTA introduced four additional $2,500 scholarships to be awarded to the top Citizen-Scholar awardee from each county. I would like to take a moment to recognize the students selected for this year’s special honor:
 
Hawai’i Island: Crismel Juan of Kea‘au High School
Crismel is proudest of her work this year with the statewide Hawai‘i Public Health Institute Youth Council, which involved a student-led push at the Legislature to curb smoking.  She is an officer with the National Honor Society and active with the student government senate, Health Occupations Students of America, and AVID and Interact clubs.  Crismel plans to attend the University of Rochester to study Biology.
 
Kaua‘i:  Braden K.H. Kobayashi of Waimea High School
Braden, is the commander of the school’s 182-member Junior ROTC battalion.  He has been in the program for four years and led the group in repainting the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery pavilion and restoring the Hui ‘o Laka Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Koke‘e.  Braden is a member of the golf and air riflery teams and is active in the National Honor Society and Interact Club, where he joins other members in organizing assemblies, volunteering for school social events, and assisting the athletics program.  He plans to attend Creighton University and major in Pre-med.
 
Maui: Emily N. Mitra of Maui High School
As president of the National Honor Society, Emily leads her classmates in tutoring children after school through Big Brothers Big Sisters.  The group also raised money to buy supplies for a nearby elementary school that was badly damaged by a fire.  She is active in student government, is an officer with the Maui County 4-H, and captains the Sabers golf team.  Emily will be attending California Baptist University this fall to major in Architecture.

O‘ahu:  Rovi C. Porter of Kalani High School
A science and technology whiz, Rovi founded Girls in Technology, Engineering, and Computing, a class to empower girls in the coding field and is treasurer and project manager for the Kalani Robotics Academy.  She is a violinist in the orchestra, captain of the varsity soccer team, and a member of the cross-country team.  She volunteers through the Leo Club, as a cafeteria monitor, at the Aina Haina State Library, and the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders Fellows Program.  Rovi will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and major in Bioengineering.
 
Congratulations to our 2018 Citizen-Scholars! A few special mahalos: to all the sponsors for their continued support of our future leaders, to our co-emcees, Diane Ako of KITV News and journalist Yunji de Nies; and of course, to our hosts Cheryl Williams, regional vice president of sales and marketing for High Gate Hotels, and Matt Grauso, General Manager of the Alohilani Resort, and their exceptional banquet staff who helped contribute to the success of our awards ceremony.

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University of Hawai’i at Manoa Travel Industry Management “Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism” dinner
 
Last night, the HLTA staff and I attended the UH Manoa TIM dinner, “Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism” at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This was the 17th year that the TIM School has hosted their signature gala to raise funds for TIM School scholarships. We were happy to see many of our HLTA members in attendance contributing to such an important cause and helping recognize the TIM Legacy Award Recipient and HLTA Board Member, Jerry Gibson, Area Vice President of Hilton Hawai‘i, TIM School Hall of Honor inductee, Glenn Perry, Realtor Associate, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, and the TIM Distinguished Service award which was awarded to the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association.
 
I invited HLTA Chairperson, Gregg Nelson, Chairperson-Elect, Glenn Vergara, and Vice-President, Dean Nakasone to join me on stage to receive the award, The tribute to HLTA is a validation of the work that we do in the community, especially with the University of Hawai‘i TIM School.  They are a strong collaborative partner with us in developing such initiatives as the Generational Mentoring Program.  I also paid tribute to all the previous leaders of this august organization for the past 70 years.  This is an award that we can all feel a part of.  Congratulations to all our members, both past and present… “we’re all in this together.”

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Deadline Approaching for Member-Exclusive Scholarships
As another busy week wraps up, I would like to take this moment to remind our membership that applications for the HLTA Member-Exclusive Scholarships are due on Monday, April 30th.  Any dependent of an employee, entering an accredited post-secondary institution, is eligible and welcome to apply. We will grant two scholarships of $2,500: one for an Allied Member, and one for a Lodging Member. Again, applications are due on Monday, April 30th. For further questions, please click here or contact Jessica Caires of my staff at [email protected]. ​