News

Hawaii Government Employees Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015-2016 Charles R. Kendall and Russell K. Okata Scholarships. Sixty-three thousand five hundred dollars was awarded to 37 deserving HGEA members or dependents who are attending or plan to attend a college, university, vocational or trade school on a full-time basis. The scholarship recipients were selected based on financial need, academic ability, personal letter and recommendations.  

Sarah Patanapaiboon, a first-time scholarship recipient accepted the award saying, “I was really shocked and surprised. And having my sister get it too, makes our mom really proud. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and just happy to be able to help our family.”

The scholarships are named in honor of former HGEA executive directors Charles R. Kendall and Russell K. Okata, who both worked tirelessly to improve the lives of public employees. Throughout the year, the HGEA C. R. Kendall Fundraising Committee, composed of HGEA members, holds a variety events and activities on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island to raise money to fund the scholarships.

For information on how you can contribute to the Charles R. Kendall Scholarship and Education fund, please visit www.hgea.org/KendallScholarship.

The following list of 2015-2016 scholarship recipients, divided by island, includes the schools that they are or will be attending:

OAHU

$2,500 Scholarship Recipients:

• Maricris Juntura, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Kanoelani Padeken, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Sarah Patanapaiboon, Hawaii Pacific University
• Leigh Ann Shiroma, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Keala Swafford, Windward Community College

$1,500 Scholarship Recipients:

• Kendrick Chang, George Washington University
• Joseph Choy, Santa Clara University
• Brianna-Marie Hollister, Boston University
• Travis Ibera, Creighton University
• Brittany Kalahiki, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Kailee Loa-Sugihara, Northeastern University
• Chi Hang Lo, George Washington University
• Madison Maeshiro, Seattle Pacific University
• LorMona Meredith, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Samantha Patanapaiboon, Hawaii Pacific University
• Danica Quevedo, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Tyra Rapozo, Kapiolani Community College
• Reece Teramoto, University of Portland
• Jennie Leigh Yamada, Santa Clara University
• Noe Yoshioka, University of Puget Sound

HAWAII

$2,500 Scholarship Recipients:

• Joanna Smith, University of Hawaii at Hilo

$1,500 Scholarship Recipients:

• Lisa Ishimoto, Seattle University
• Alyssa Lee, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Khaila Moke-Sakamoto, New York University
• Tianna Morimoto, Chapman University
• Sarah Pike, George Fox University
• Chad Sakoda, University of Portland
• Arielle Totten, New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering

KAUAI

$2,500 Scholarship Recipients:

• Tierra Teter, Point Loma Nazarene University
• Andrea Wong, University of Hawaii at Manoa

$1,500 Scholarship Recipients:

• Tamara Akau, Eastern Washington University
• Alyssa Mary Clark, Creighton University
• Nicole Isoda, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Angelika Questin, University of Hawaii at Manoa

MAUI

$1,500 Scholarship Recipients:

• Kaylee Decambra, University of Hawaii at Hilo
• Celina Hayashi, University of Hawaii – John A. Burns School of Medicine
• Ja`ie Victorine-Dyment, University of Hawaii – Maui