Kaua‘i Students Earn Scholarships

Justin Langstaff with Mufi Hannemann and Dave Kennedy, Star-Advertiser VP of marketing

Anyone who’s ever harbored a doubt about the future of Hawaii need not worry – not after being exposed to the exceptional young people who recently received Citizenship Awards from the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association.

Forty-two of the finest representatives from each of the state’s public schools were feted at an April 12 luncheon sponsored by the HLTA, Honolulu Star-Advertiser and the Department of Education. These seniors were honored not only for their scholastic achievements, but for their contributions to making Hawaii a better place through civic service and for best exemplifying the model public high school graduate.

Each student received a $1,000 scholarship, donated by HLTA members and other sponsors.

Three outstanding students represented the Garden Isle.

Justin Langstaff hails from Kapa’a High School.

From home school to private school to public school, Justin has learned to succeed in any educational environment. His experiences taught him to take on new challenges in life.

Kimberly Aguilar with Hannemann and Kennedy. Photos from HLTA

Some of his accomplishments include serving as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, as camp counselor for elementary school children, as coach for an under-14 AYSO soccer team, and as a musician leading his church youth group and congregation. Justin will attend California Lutheran University.

Kaua’i High School’s finest is Megan Walsh.

For some, community service is an obligation, but to Megan it is already a life commitment.

From freshman year to senior year, Megan says she has grown with every community service project. This year, she focused on continuing the many projects she began, increasing participation and grooming underclassmen to create a legacy of community service at school. She hopes to one day give back as a participant in Doctors Without Borders. She’ll be attending the University of California.

Megan Walsh with Hannemann and Kennedy

Kimberly Aguilar is the honoree from Waimea High School on Kaua’i. Volunteerism is a way of life for Kimberly. Through her canoe paddling club, JROTC and church youth group, she participates in countless service projects in and outside of her community. One project took Kimberly all the way to Thailand to teach English.

She is the JROTC battalion executive officer, overseeing a staff of five and maintaining a battalion of 128. She plans to attend Abilene Christian University.

We’d be remiss is we didn’t commend the parents, principals, teachers, counselors and coaches who helped shape these young lives, and extend our gratitude to the members of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association and business community that rewarded each student with a scholarship.

(For photos of the students and a list of sponsors, see the April 12 edition of MidWeek‘s sister publication, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.)

Hue Tran-Oldham

The recipients of the Citizenship Awards symbolize the very best of Hawaii. We’re delighted to have this opportunity to salute them for their achievements and thank them for their service to our island home.

MUFI’S VISITOR HEROES

Hue Tran-Oldham

Hue Tran-Oldham, Saint Regis Princeville Resort’s public relations and marketing assistant, is a multi-talented professional who helps present the resort to the world.

Known for her helpfulness and cooperative spirit, Hue has a natural rapport with guests, fellow employees and the travel agents with whom she works regularly. She played a key role in the reopening festivities for the resort in 2009, is a leader in her department on the Saint Regis brand and its application in promotional materials, pitches in to assist other employees when they need help with important presentations or publications, and coordinates major photography and video projects for the resort.

Hue is always dependable and willing to go the extra mile to get the job done, making her an invaluable member of the Saint Regis team. She also finds time to participate in the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, volunteer with the Hawaii Children’s Theater, and help raise funds for Wilcox Memorial Hospital.