LIHU‘E — Dylan Watanabe, a graduate of Island School, stopped by the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce board meeting on Monday to receive his scholarship award.
Watanabe left for school on Tuesday, Aug. 13. He was unable to receive his award with the other Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce scholarship recipients, including Chloe Inouye, Brennan Fernandez, Ian Ramson Garces, Sophia Badua and Kayla Marie Dugay Perez during an earlier scheduled scholarship reception because he was on a combination family and college familiarization tour.
“I leave for school, tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Watanabe said, extending his appreciation for the award through his mother. “School actually starts on Monday (Aug. 19), but there are activities that I need to participate in before school starts.”
Watanabe, a multi-sport athlete while at Island School, said he will be attending Chaminade University in Honolulu with a course of study in Sports and Event Management.
Cyndi Ayonon, a past president of the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce, said the major portion of scholarships are derived from the organization’s annual scholarship golf tournament that, this year, will take place on Labor Day, Sept. 2, at Wailua Golf Course.
“This is the club’s signature fundraising event,” Ayonon said. “The mission of the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce is to support the education of our shining stars. They are the future.”
Registration is currently being held for the Labor Day tournament, which features a 7 a.m. shotgun start. There is an Aug. 19 deadline for the four person modified scramble event. The maximum men’s handicap is 27 and the maximum women’s handicap is 36.
Entry fee is $130 per person and includes green fees, golf cart and awards luncheon. Mulligans, limited to two per player, are available at $5 each.
Following the tournament play, everyone gathers at the Lydgate Beach Park for a post-game luncheon and awards starting at 11 a.m. Non-golfers are welcome to this event for a $30 donation per person.
“This golf tournament is our only major fundraising event for our scholarship program,” said Angel Acorda, the president of the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
“Over the past 19 years, this popular, fun and competitive golf tournament has raised more than $180,000 for Kaua‘i students. These scholarship recipients join our workforce, and give back to our community following college. This year, the KFCC Foundation awarded $10,000 of scholarship funds to Kaua‘i students.”
For more information, call Acorda at 808-639-4226, Derrick Adams at 808-348-0285, Jett Jasper at 808-652-5122 or Tito Villanueva at 808-639-3819. Information can also be obtained by emailing kfccfgolf@gmail.com.
