Nine Hawaii seniors are among 2,800 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities.

The awards, announced yesterday, provide from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. The sponsoring colleges choose the winners from finalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institutions.

The Hawaii winners are:

» Kristelle K. Aisaka, Iolani School, Washington University in St. Louis

» Erica B. Lee, Punahou School, University of Southern California

» Lauren M. Otaguro, Punahou School, University of Southern California

» Jeffrey T. Sakamoto, Iolani School, University of Southern California

» Emily K. Yamamura, Iolani School, University of Southern California

» Nikki A. Castel, Iolani School, Arizona State University

» Christopher K. Nagashima, Punahou School, University of Texas at Austin

» Shantel H. Asada, Iolani School, University of Southern California

» Alyssa S. Imai, Hawaii Baptist Academy, Gonzaga University

More winners of college-sponsored awards will be announced in July by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.