LIHU‘E — Governor David Ige announced his intention to approve Mayor Derek Kawakami’s latest emergency rule during his annual Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce governor’s luncheon Thursday, and Kawakami announced that approval during his Friday daily video update.
Those moves came in time for Gather Federal Credit Union to host the awarding of $10,000 in scholarships to 10 recent graduates (no, one could not attend in person) Saturday during a drive-by scholarship ceremony presented before an audience of the recipients’ close family members at Gather FCU’s Kukui Grove West branch after the offices closed following its Saturday business day.
“The marketing team led by Terri Kaniho is just so creative,” said Tess Shimabukuro, Gather FCU president and CEO, who presented each recipient with a lei and personal congratulations during the short ceremony that had strong overtones of the virtual graduation ceremonies that took place in the pandemic.
Kaleo Perez announced each recipient, with Kawai Pascua providing the background music in the outdoor parking area that included reserved parking spaces for each of the recipients, and special Gather FCU traffic monitors to help after-hours patrons with their online banking needs.
“This year we received a total of 31 applications,” Perez said at the start of the ceremony.
“Our Scholarship Committee of Michael Depoe, Debbie Higuchi and Sandra Magnussen unanimously selected these 10 recipients: Kallen Wachi, Dalson Cua, Madeline Hoesel, Alaysia Navor, Kyler Arruda-Sukehira, Ki‘ilani Arruda, Rachel Dressler, Keane Tibon, Junelle Tangalin and Fred Ryl Adella, for the 2020 Gather FCU ‘Your Choice’ Student Award of $1,000 for each student.”
Wachi, the son of Jason and Hazel Wachi, whose interests include journalism, politics and history, will be attending the University of North Dakota, pursuing a major in commercial aviation.
Hoesel, the daughter of Chris and Melissa Hoesel, was a Kapa‘a High swimmer, and will be attending Wellesley College in Massachusetts, where she will pursue a major in biological sciences with a focus in pre-med, and continue her career in competitive swimming.
Navor, the daughter of Ridel Navor and Jane Ramelb-Navor, has interests in playing the piano and writing music, and will attend Yale University, pursuing a degree in neuroscience with an emphasis in pre-medical studies.
Arruda-Sukehira, the son of Kyle and Melinda Sukehir, enjoys traveling, hiking and going to the beach, and will be attending the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa to major in nursing with an eye toward obtaining his doctorate in nursing practice.
Arruda, the daughter of Napualani and Kaipokealaleo Arruda, will be heading to the University of Puget Sound in Washington state with plans on studying molecular and cellular biology with a focus on pre-med, with hopes of going into dermatology.
Dressler, the daughter of Larry and Michelle Dressler, has interests in reading and drawing, and will be pursuing a degree in political science at the University of Portland in Oregon.
Tibon, the son of Andrew Vea and Sonya Tonyokwe, will attend Florida State University studying biological science on a pre-nursing track. He will by studying abroad in London for a year starting in January 2021.
Tangalin, represented by her mother Priscilla, is the daughter of Epifanio and Priscilla Tangalin. She will be attending the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa with a major in biomedical engineering.
Adella, the son of Wilfredo and Sheryl Adella, will be attending Minot State University in North Dakoa to pursue a degree in biology.
“This was such a beautiful day with great energy and great people,” Kaniho said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
