HONOLULU — The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association awarded its second Hookipa Scholarship of $1,000 to three high school students.
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association awarded its second Hookipa Scholarship of $1,000 to three high school students.
Claudia Hanson of Kapaa High School was one of the recipients. Hanson was active in her school’s Interact Club and National Honor Society, where she was involved in community service projects. She was the class valedictorian and graduated with honors in career and technical education.
During her years at Kapaa High, Hanson was enrolled in public human services, an introduction to hospitality and culinary courses. She plans to attend the University of California at Santa Barbara to major in sociology and pursue a career in hospitality.
“This is the hospitality industry’s way of commending and rewarding high school students for their interest in travel and tourism and for their pursuit of potential careers in this business,” said Mufi Hannemann, HLTA president and CEO. “We need young people with the energy, ideas and enthusiasm to fill the ranks of our local industry leadership, and we hope that this recognition will inspire them in their educational and career endeavors.”
The other recipients were Ray-Anne Dela Cruz of Baldwin High School on Maui and Satoko Davidson of McKinley High School on Oahu.
The scholarship was introduced last year in observance of HLTA’s 70th anniversary and to further the organization’s commitment to recognizing outstanding students. It is granted to students enrolled in a hospitality program or taking hospitality classes in high school.