Hawai'inuiākea honors student scholars at reception

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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Posted: Oct 12, 2009

Twenty-two recipients of scholarships administered by the UH Mānoa Hawai’inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge will be honored at a reception on Thursday, October 15, at Kamakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The “Hawai’inuiākea Honors Student Scholars Reception” is the first of what will be an annual event hosted by the School. 
“Giving the gift of education is integral to nurturing the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders who are grounded in our unique cultural worldview, skilled in disciplinary knowledge and practice, and committed to service and social justice,” said Maenette Benham, dean of Hawai’inuiākea.  “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for their insight and generosity. And, we are always inspired and proud of our student scholars!”
A wide range of donors established the scholarships for several purposes. Frances Damon Holt established two accounts, one in memory of her husband, the scholar John Dominis Holt, the other to honor Gladys ‘Ainoa Brandt, the educator and UH Regent for whom Hawaiian Studies is named. The Emalani Searfoss Memorial Scholarship was established at Searfoss’ bequest; she taught hula in Florida, stressing that the desire to study Hawaiian culture is more important than grades. The Dorothy M. Kahananui Scholarship honors the memory of the gifted composer, arranger and teacher of music and language. She taught at Mānoa from 1923 to 1960 and was the first professor in the Music Department, where a building is named for her.
Joining the students at the reception will be scholarship donors, senior administrators of the UH Mānoa campus, the Dean of Hawai’inuiākea and staff, and faculty and staff of Kānewai, Kawaihuelani and Kamakakūokalani.
 
Scholarships and recipients are:
  • Lokomaika’iokalani Snakenburg Graduate Scholarship in Hawaiian Language:
            Alicia A.M. Perez, John Kaaimalani Spencer
 
  • Dorothy M. Kahanui Scholarship in Hawaiian Language:
            Alicia A.M. Perez
 
  • Red Mandarin and Lady Yi Suen Shen Scholarship in Hawaiian Studies:
            Kamakana Matthew Aquino, Christopher Joseph Pokipala
 
  • Emalani V. Searfoss Memorial Scholarship:
            Kristin Leinani Cagulada, Shanelle Puaala Hiura, Mark Kaniela Ing
            Mae Jeremiah-Wong, Jessica Anne Manulani Letoto, Caitlin Iwalani Sabado
            Kealohi Suzanne Tyau
 
  • Kamakahukilani von Oelhoffen Scholarship:
            Kamakana Matthew Aquino
 
  • Pacific Island Institute Hawaiian Studies Graduate Scholarship:
            Reba Uilani K.M. Uwekoolani
 
  • Nā Lei ‘Ōiwi Scholarship:
Christy Rose Nohea Ferreira, Brooke Hutchins, Sharlei Leihalaopuna K. Ibarra,
Chantrelle Ann Melenani Waialae
 
  • John Dominis Holt Scholarship:
            Scott Fong, Kalihaualaki Gouveia, Tiffany Ing
 
  • Center for Hawaiian Studies Scholarship:
            Tilana Kawaa
 
  • Gladys ‘Aiona Brandt Scholarship:
            Scott Fong, Kalihaualaki Gouveia, Christopher Joseph Pokipala
 
The School of Hawaiian Knowledge is home to three centers—Kawaihuealani Center for Hawaiian Language, Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies and Ka Papa Lo’i o Kānewai. Hawai’inuiākea’s eleven scholarship accounts support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Hawaiian Language or Hawaiian Studies, or who are studying Hawaiian culture in a related field.