The University of Hawaiʻi honored the incoming 2018 Regents and Presidential Scholars at a ceremony on July 19 at the UH Mānoa Campus Center Ballroom. The scholarships are awarded to students who are recognized for a record of outstanding academic achievement and are part of an ongoing effort by UH to keep the state’s best and brightest right here in Hawaiʻi.
“Students, while we glory in your achievements to date, we look forward even more to what you will accomplish in the coming years armed with your world-class University of Hawaiʻi educations,” said UH President and UH Mānoa Interim Chancellor David Lassner at the ceremony. “Thank you for joining us here at UH.”
The fact that I can actually go to college in the state and still stay close to my family with the financial help they gave me is really awesome.
—Lino Yoshikawa
Regents scholarships are awarded to 20 outstanding incoming freshmen from Hawaiʻi high schools who demonstrate strong GPAs and national entrance exam scores, along with extracurricular achievements. Regents scholars receive full tuition for four years of undergraduate study.
Presidential scholars receive full tuition for two years of undergraduate study. Presidential scholarships are awarded to 10 college juniors, with preference for UH community college students transferring to a UH university, who have a high GPA for all college level work.
All scholars receive a $4,000 annual stipend and a one-time travel grant of $2,000.
“The fact that I can actually go to college in the state and still stay close to my family with the financial help they gave me is really awesome,” said Lino Yoshikawa, Maui High School graduate. Yoshikawa is heading to UH Hilo in the fall.
For Kalani High School graduate Ryder Tanaka, the top-level scholarship helped solidify his decision to go to UH Mānoa.
“First I was pretty set on going away for college, but after looking into the University of Hawaiʻi more, and then of course getting this scholarship, it really made me more excited to attend the University of Hawaiʻi,” Tanaka said.
“Parents and family members—thank you for supporting your scholars to this point and mahalo for entrusting us with your precious children,” said Lassner. “Please be assured that we will do all we can to make their experience here at UH worthwhile and rewarding.”
See more photos of the 2018 Regents and Presidential Scholars event at the UH Foundation Flickr album.
2018 Regents Scholars
- Jolie Ching, Kaiser
- Yejean Chung, Moanalua
- Haylee Fujioka, Roosevelt
- Priscilla Hsu, Kalani
- Abigail Jones, Campbell
- Tabatha Knudson, Kaiser
- Isabella Kotsol, Kapaʻa
- Emma Lake, Mililani
- Sarah Loving, home school
- Geetika Patwardhan, Hanalani
- Daniel John Quiamas, Waipahu
- Jade Spallina, Sacred Hearts Academy
- Jeanette Tajiri, Waiākea
- Ryder Tanaka, Kalani
- Jenna Tsuzaki, Kalani
- Cameron Woods, Kalani
- Anya Wu, ʻIolani
- Justin Yee, Moanalua
- Lino Yoshikawa, Maui
- Theodora You, Kalāheo
2018 Presidential Scholars and previously attended campus
- Edriene Caraang, UH Mānoa
- Annalise Halverson, UH Mānoa
- Justin Ho, UH Mānoa
- Paul Hutchinson, UH Mānoa
- Sue Anne Juskowich, Kapiʻolani CC
- Michelle Park, UH Mānoa
- Regina Ponce, Leeward CC
- Jasmine Irene Rodriguez, Honolulu CC
- Maximillian Soares Miehlstein, Kapiʻolani CC
- Zoe Whitney, UH Hilo
