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Six high school seniors in Hawaii have been named semifinalists of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The students are Christopher Burniske and Thomas Young of Punahou School, Nathan Nakatsuka and Ciera Cummings of Kamehameha Schools, Leslie Kim of Iolani School and Nicole Gaetjens of Kauai High School.

Established in 1964, the scholars program recognizes distinguished graduating high school seniors.

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Brita Hofwolt of Le Jardin Academy has won a $1,000 scholarship for writing an essay on the relationship between natural resources and international conflict in the National Peace Essay Contest, sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace. She will attend an expenses-paid seminar in Washington, D.C., this June.

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Maryknoll School has honored Honolulu attorney Al Wong of Takushi Wong Lee & Yee with the 2008 Noblesse Oblige Award for Service and student Chasen St. Onge as the winner of the Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Scholarship.

Wong is chairman of the Maryknoll School Board and co-chairman of the capital campaign to build its community center. St. Onge is student senate vice president, a member of the junior varsity basketball team, coach of the girls' intermediate basketball team and a volunteer in the campus ministry.

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