LIHU‘E — The Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i had more than scholarships during the group’s meeting before the school year ends.
Mari Hinazumi, Colton Mills and Trinity Nguyen — all graduating from Kaua‘i High School — shared $3,000 in scholarships being presented by the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday at their meeting at Puakea Grill. Other awards accompanying the scholarships included a Kaua‘i County Council certificate and a Kiwanis congratulatory letter.
“All three scholarship recipients are from Kaua‘i High School,” said Kiwanis Club member Scott Sato, the scholarship coordinator for a while. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have anyone from Kapa‘a High School this year.”
Kiwanis President Cheryl Shintani announced that Waimea High School will be fielding a Key Club, starting the next school year. The addition of the Menehune Key Club will join the Key Club at Kaua‘i High School and the Key Club at Kapa‘a High School, which is part of a state network of Key Clubs.
“They are really excited about having a Key Club,” Shintani said. “They want to be Key Clubbers.”
Shintani also announced that longtime Key Club of Kapa‘a advisor Denise Asher will be retiring at the end of this school year. Shintani said Asher’s replacement is a Kapa‘a High School graduate, who is excited about taking the advisorship.
Mari, the daughter of Michael and Michelle Hinazumi, was awarded $1,500 to help with her studies at the University of California San Diego where she plans to study psychology.
Mari is the president of the Kaua‘i High School Key Club, the Division 22 Makai News Editor and carries a 4.08 Grade Point Average.
Colton, the son of Roger W. Mills II and Marcia Montayre, was awarded $1,000 to use when he enters the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa to study mechanical engineering. He is the Kaua‘i High School Key Club Division Assistant.
Trinity is the daughter of Xuanlan Tran and received $500 for use when she attends the Kaua‘i Community College to study biological sciences. She is a Kaua‘i High School Key Club member.
Since 1980, the Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i has provided $98,500 in scholarships for deserving Key Club members. Recipients are awarded based on their leadership, community service activities, academic achievements, need, advisor comments and an essay.
The Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i raises most of its scholarship funds through various fundraisers throughout the year, including their chili and rice lunch, and car washes.
The Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i typically meets once a month at the Puakea Grill, and is currently under the leadership of President Cheryl Shintani.
