10 Maui Students Win $37K in Legacy Scholarships

Ten high school seniors from Maui County are celebrating life-changing scholarship awards that recognize not just their grades, but their hearts for service.

The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation announced the winners of its annual Legacy Scholarship Program, awarding $37,000 to Maui students who demonstrated outstanding academics and deep commitment to their communities. Statewide, 63 students from public, charter, and independent schools received $232,000 in scholarships.

Lauren Ghotane from King Kekaulike High School received the top honor, the $8,000 Karen Uno Distinguished Student Scholarship. While maintaining excellent grades, she led workshops at Kula Hospital, volunteered at the Maui Humane Society, and served as a student government officer for multiple years.

Ghotane also dedicated time to the Best Buddies Club, supporting students with disabilities. This fall, she'll attend Eastern Michigan University to study geriatric social work.

Maui High School's Aleizy Rose Angel earned $5,000 as a District Finalist. Beyond her achievement as an AP Scholar, Angel conducted independent research studying the mental health impacts of the 2023 Maui Wildfires through STEM Capstone. She's headed to Stanford University to study biomedical engineering with plans to improve healthcare in Hawaii.

Five more Maui students each received $3,000 awards. Shanlee Tolentino of Hāna High School will study Music Education at Pacific Lutheran University to perpetuate Hawaiian traditions through music.

Miya Silva from H.P. Baldwin High School earned district and statewide awards for her public service filmmaking while excelling in Advanced Placement courses. Owen Hegrenes of Lahainaluna High School traveled to Japan after the Lahaina wildfires to study healing processes after natural disasters and will pursue architecture at the University of Nebraska.

Kelly Raqueno from Lānaʻi High served as a Maui District Student Council representative and volunteered with a local healthcare agency, providing vital health information to her island community.

The Ripple Effect

The Takitani Foundation was created by the founders of Hawaiian Host, who built their success on hard work and community dedication. Now their legacy helps dozens of Hawaii students every year pursue higher education while honoring the same values.

These scholarships recognize something important: academic excellence paired with genuine care for others creates the leaders Hawaii needs. From researching wildfire trauma to supporting students with disabilities, these teens didn't just study, they served.

Ten Maui students are proof that the next generation is ready to make their islands even stronger.