Mufi's Message - May 28, 2021

Citizen-Scholars

Aloha,

On Wednesday, we hosted our 17th Annual Citizen-Scholar Awards ceremony via Zoom to recognize and honor 41 outstanding seniors from public schools around the state. These students truly epitomize the term "student-leader" in that they have excelled in the classroom and in their communities.

Citizen-Scholar Class of 2021
Jessica Li Chang
‘Aiea High School
Cornell University

Erin A. Mukai
Baldwin High School
University of Washington

Carissa A. Camero
Campbell High School
University of San Diego

Malia Anne E. Quinn
Castle High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Angelica D. Murro
Farrington High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Owali A.M. Moea‘i
Hana High & Elementary School
Brigham Young University-Hawai‘i

Ashley A. Lavarias
Hilo High School
Dixie State University

Diesel T. Martinez
Honoka‘a High & Intermediate School
Hawai‘i Community College

Ta‘ele H. Ah You
Kahuku High and Intermediate School
Brigham Young University

Bryce M. Jones
Kailua High School
Seattle Pacific University

Rae Angelic F. Dalinoc
Kaimukī High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Kayla G. Lum
Kaiser High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Maricaela P. Lobaton
Kalaheo High School
University of California, Irvine

Lana C. Lubecke
Kalani High School
California Institute of Technology

Jeran Paleka
Kapa‘a High School
Southern Virginia University

Joseph J. Abendanio
Kapolei High School
Baylor University

Alana G. Cayabyab
Kaua‘i High School
Creighton University

Riley T. Blaber
Kealakehe High School
Cornell University

Kekamakeuākau‘iikūha‘oikala‘i K.K. Caceres
Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Ānuenue
University of Hawai‘i at West O‘ahu

Teagan K.M. Carter
Kea‘au High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Aleth S. Sabugo
King Kekaulike High School
University of Hawai‘i Maui College

Mark Richard R. Sahagun
Kohala High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
​
Aelyn Ibarra Medina
Konawaena High School
Hawai‘i Community College

Caitlin Raquel L. Baclay
Lahainaluna High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Ryllah-Rae M.O.K. Rodrigues
Lāna‘i High & Elementary School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Kaeddie J. De Voyard
Leilehua High School
Southern Adventist University

Sydnie M. Matsuda
Maui High School
Pacific University

Stephanie M. Linn
McKinley High School
Boston University

Angelina Dulay
Mililani High School
University of Portland

Mary-Magdalene H. Kim
Moanalua High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Mallory H. Go
Moloka‘i High School
Brown University

Shanny T.F. Gisa
Nānākuli High & Intermediate School
University of Alaska Anchorage

Carlo A. Daquioag
Pahoa High & Intermediate School
University of California, Berkeley

Keiko L. Nakanishi
Pearl City High School
Creighton University

Trinitie M. Tiitii
Radford High School
Southern Utah University

Min Ji Cha
Roosevelt High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Samuel E. Garcia
Waiakea High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Kaile A. Oleyar
Waialua High & Intermediate School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Emma Jhoanna C. Tilitile
Wai‘anae High School
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Braelyn I. Cayaban
Waimea High School
Colorado College

Ashley Pascua Valois
Waipahu High School
Clark University

Each of the above students received a $1,000 scholarship. After carefully reviewing the applicants, we also selected the top Scholar for each county, each of whom received an additional $2,500.

Citizen-Scholar County Winners
Kaua'i County
Braelyn I. Cayaban
Waimea High School
Colorado College

O'ahu
Jessica Li Chang
‘Aiea High School
Cornell University

Maui County
Aleth S. Sabugo
King Kekaulike High School
University of Hawai‘i Maui College

Hawai'i County
Riley T. Blaber
Kealakehe High School
Cornell University

Finally, we picked the top male and female student from this year's class and awarded them an additional $5,000 scholarship. These students were absolutely excellent in everything that they have done and will undoubtedly excel in whatever they choose to pursue in the future.
 
Citizen-Scholar Top Male & Female

Moloka'i High School's Mallory Go, left, was selected as the top female Scholar in the Citizen-Scholar Class of 2021. She will attend Brown University in the fall. Owali Moea'i, hailing from Hana High & Elementary School, is this year's top male Scholar, and he will be attending Brigham-Young University - Hawai'i.
Mahalo to both the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and the State Department of Education who help to make this important HLTA initiative a success. My warmest thanks also to our sponsors- without the generosity of the following organizations, we would not be able to reward and recognize this class of student-leaders:

• Alaska Airlines
• 'Alohilani Resort Waikiki
• Bank of Hawai'i
• BEI Hawai'i
• Castle Hospitality Group
• Central Pacific Bank
• Domino's Hawai'i
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• First Hawaiian Bank
• First OnSite
• Halekulani Corporation
• Hawai'i Gas
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Hawaiian Electric
• HLTA - Hawai'i Island Chapter
• HLTA - Kaua'i Chapter
• Honolulu Star-Advertiser
• International Market Place
• Island Movers
• Marriott's Maui Ocean Club
• Maui Hotel & Lodging Association
• Mauna Kea Resort
• Pūlama Lāna‘i
• Roberts Hawai'i
• Royal Hawaiian Center
• Springboard Hospitality
• University of Hawai'i at Mānoa - Shidler School of Travel Industry Management
• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

#HiGotVaccinated

In June, the #HiGotVaccinated campaign will launch, bringing together local government, community partners, and a wide variety of small businesses to encourage locals to get vaccinated in the month of June. At the time of writing this, just over half of Hawai'i residents are fully vaccinated and, as you know, we are working tirelessly to push this number closer to 70% which would bring our community closer to herd immunity.

As such, the #HiGotVaccinated campaign is looking for partners who are willing to donate in support of this cause. There are currently two different ways that you may contribute:

• Offer deals or discounts for vaccinated individuals
• Donate a prize valued at $1,000 or more

If you are interested in supporting this important initiative or have any questions, please contact HLTA Director of Communications Jared Ellis via email at [email protected].

Finally, the #HiGotVaccinated website is up and will soon feature a directory of promotional offers and prizes. Please keep an eye out for updates at higotvaccinated.com.

Mahalo,
​Mufi