[Taking Notice]
>> The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation has named the winners of 71 scholarships awarded by the foundation. Of all the students, 58 were awarded $1,000 each, the top 10 received $2,000 each, two received Distinguished Student Awards of $10,000 each, and one received an Outstanding Student Award of $5,000.Taryn M. Ishida received the Mamoru Takitani Distinguished Student Award. She is a senior at Molokai High and Intermediate. Cori Okabayashi, a senior at Kailua High, also received the Distinguished Student Award. Sara Y. Matsuura was named winner of the Karen Uno Outstanding Student Award. She is a senior at Sacred Hearts Academy.
The following students received $2,000 awards: Jonathan Higa, Roosevelt High; Young Mi Kim, Moanalua High; Margot C. Kimura, Pearl City High; Jennifer C. Lee, Iolani School; Kanoe M. Lum, Punahou School; Aimee F. Cama, Hilo High; and Kesson T. Yamamoto, Kauai High.
The following students received $1,000 awards: Jennifer M. Fujinaka, Kalani High; Ngoc-Yen H. Nguyen, Farrington High; Jian Qin Mai, Kaimuki High; Sandra Au, McKinley High; Leah C. Pereira, Kaiser High; Shannon N.M. Goto, Aiea High; Katherine H. Eum, Leilehua High; Brenna N. Renn, Mililani High; Kathleen M. Wooton, Radford High; Tanesa M. Peru, Waialua High; Mei Mei Fong, Castle High; Reuntae Juliano, Kahuku High; Judalina Neira, Kalaheo High; Jaynel L. Keliikuli, Waianae High; Lauren M. Aoki, Campbell High; Errin K.R. Kealoha, Nanakuli High; Iwalani M.C. Crush, Maryknoll; Kay M. Fukunaga, St. Anthony High; Kellen K.K.W. King, St. Louis School; Lester G.W. Lau, Damien High; Jennifer J. Medeiros, St. Francis; Christine M. Park, St. Joseph High; Jordan J.B. Yamasaki, Mid-Pacific Institute; Carleton H.L. Wong, University Lab School; Jeanine M.F. Yonashiro, Hawaii Baptist Academy; Natalie N. Young, Kamehameha Schools; Melissa K.M. West, Hanalani Schools; Mimi B. Ward, St. Andrew's Priory; Kasmira M. Brough, La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls; Shannon Y. Nagasako, Lutheran High; Ashley M. Rietfors, Waldorf High; Alexandra G. Takayesu, Seabury Hall; Jennifer S. Kang, Waiakea High; Leland H. Galan, Kohala High; Hazel M. Isabelo, Konawaena High; Gordon K. Carvalho, Laupahoehoe High; Kay S. Hamada, Pahoa High; Paul G. Matsuwaki, Kau High; Candy A. Takeishi, Kealakehe High; Ashley M. Gomera, Honokaa High; Zachary Thielen, Waimea High; Adrian Marie Carmichael, Kapaa High; Brian E. Viloria, Maui High; Jessica A. Milbourn, Lahainaluna High; Azalyn S.A. Shimokawa, King Kekaulike High; Iris M. Moon, Hana High; Garrett T.M.K. Soong, Baldwin High; and Megan P. Bagoyo, Lanai High.
>> Kelsey Newell, David "Kris" Korpa and Spencer Mawhar have been selected to participate in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Academy Introduction Mission. Dara Ching has been selected to participate in the auxiliary's Minority Introduction to Engineering program. The four high school juniors will travel to New London, Conn., this summer. The students were selected from a pool of applicants to undergo what a typical Coast Guard cadet would experience in order to determine if the Coast Guard was right for them. Newell is a student at Kalani High School. Kopra attends Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Mawhar is a Kwajalein High student. Ching is a student at Pearl City High.
>> Nainoa Thompson has been honored as an Unsung Hero of Compassion by the group Wisdom in Action. He is one of 51 individuals selected to receive the honor. The Dalai Lama was also in attendance during ceremonies held May 16 in San Jose, Calif.
>> The following students were presented with $3,400 scholarships during the University of Hawaii's Carey D. Miller Scholarship Awards, presented by the Hawaii Foundation for Dietetics: Kaipo T. Pau, Linda Lee, Sheryl Ranses, Nancy Faraj, Annette Okuma, Beth Young, Kim Murakami, Yen Thu Pham, Jean Dow, Anna Lee, Kortney Sato, May Arakaki, Angelia Kusatsu, Gloria Saguto, Wing San Tam, Christy Boibol and Zoe Lindsay. In addition, Jill Harrison was chosen as recipient of the Elsie M. Boatman Award for outstanding dietetic students. The scholarships were presented April 26 during a ceremony at the UH-Manoa campus.
>> The Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Eleemosynary Trust has awarded Pali View Baptist Church a $10,000 grant to expand outreach ministries and for construction of a caring center. The church plans to use the completed center for meetings and workshops that will be open to the community.
>> Lisa Lepere, a senior at Kalaheo High School, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship by Wells Fargo Education Financial Services. She is one of 250 high school seniors nationwide to receive the award.
Do you have items about Hawaii residents earning academic or professional honors, winning scholarships, awards or elections to professional or civic groups? Please send them in writing for "Taking Notice" to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813.