Name: Maiko Kawanishi
Age: 14
School: Kaiser High
Pastimes: Writing, reading, singing, swimming
Future: Physics professor and writer

With her love for science and her vivid imagination, she's headed in the right direction.

Maiko, daughter of Shungo and Tomoyo Kawanishi, moved from Georgia in 1995 after her dad got a job as a professor at Kansai University.

She was enrolled in the gifted and talented program last year at Niu Valley Intermediate before enrolling this fall in Kaiser High School, where she is freshman class secretary.

She plans to join the speech team or write for the school newspaper.

Niu Valley teacher Mary Ward calls Maiko an extraordinarily gifted student: "She's an exceptional student, way beyond her years."

Ward says Maiko is always willing to share her knowledge with other students: "She is a true student."

Niu Valley Vice Principal Janice Ing says Maiko "thinks critically and is very gifted academically."

She also reads a lot. During the summer, she read two to three books a day. Now she is enjoying the "Zanth" series of science fiction fantasy books by Pierce Anthony.

The best thing about Hawaii is its scenic views, a remedy for any bad day, she says.

"When you're really bummed out, you can walk down a couple blocks and look at the ocean."