Jayce is the son of Yusei and Lynette (Asato) Arakaki and is a graduate of Kailua High School and plans to further his education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to pursue a degree in Architecture.
Jayce has been a member of the Ryukyu Kobudo Taiko Club and the Okinawan Dance Club, performing at different events, including the Okinawan festival.
Jayce has taken Industrial Engineering Technology and Arts Communications career pathway programs and some of his accomplishments included a catapult system, mechanical foot, soccer robot, all terrain vehicle, series and parallel electrical systems. Jayce excelled in school academics graduating in the top 5% of his class.
As his high school counselor indicated, Jayce is a unique individual.
From Haiku, Maui, Maile is the daughter of Patrick and Lauri Cerizo. A graduate of King Kekaulike High School, Maile plans to attend Point Loma Nazarene University, majoring in Pre-Med.
Maile has immersed herself in the Japanese & Okinawan culture and participated in the 2001 Hawaii-Okinawa Student Exchange Program. A Japanese language student since her 8th grade, Maile received a 2002 Japanese Award of Excellence, and participated in a Japanese speech contest and was awarded a KZOO Hanashikatta Taikai "outer island" in 2002.
As her Japanese teacher wrote, Maile is a person of character, fairness and integrity. She will be successful in all her future endeavors.
Blaine is the son of Lance and Hope (Gushiken) Hironaga and is a graduate of Pearl City High School and plans to further his education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in Electrical Engineering.
Blaine has been very active in high school baseball, band and the Okinawan (Itoman) Club. With all of these, Blaine has never failed to maintain his academics, consistently being on the Honor Roll or Principal’s list every quarter, and graduating in the top 5% of his class.
Being actively involved in the Itoman Club, he attended & participated in the Children’s Festival (when he was younger of course), attended the Itoman Club picnic every summer and even became the chairperson for the golf game yearly since 2000, at the Annual Okinawan Festival, working with Jane Takayesu (one of our very own Hui Makaala members).
Brent is the son of Gregg and Leatrice (Teruya) Kakesako and is a graduate of Iolani School. Brent will be attending Harvard College and study Government this fall.
Brent’s many accolades includes being on the Headmasters List, National Honor Roll, Varsity Wrestling, Varsity Judo, student government, band, peer tutoring, boy scouts, and numerous other extra curricular activities and volunteer services.
One of his letters of recommendations indicates Brent to be "the most well-rounded person that I have had the privilege of working with and advising".
Amy is the daughter of Ross and Karen (Momohara) Sakuda and is a graduate of Pearl City High School. Amy will be attending the University of Oregon and major in Speech-Language Pathology.
Amy has consistently excelled in academics ranking in the top 2% of her class. Her school activities include Tennis, Band, National Honor Society, and the Leo Club. Other extra-curricular activities included Okinawan Dance, soccer and a number of community and volunteer programs.
Amy also was selected as the People to People Student Ambassador to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in 2000 and also selected to the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C in 2002.
Lori is the daughter of Dennis and Amy (Shiroma) Shinsato and is a graduate of HP Baldwin High School. Amy will be attending the University of Washington at Seattle and major in Pharmacy.
Lori’s high school achievements are filled with academic and extra-curricular activities taking numerous advanced placement classes yet still able to slip in a number of fun activities. With all this, she is still able to maintain a part-time job and graduate near the top of her class.
Lori and her family are members of the Maui Okinawan Kenjin Kai. Lori is also a member of the Maui Sinsei Kai, a group that plays the Shamisen and performs at festivals and parties.
Lori participated in the 2001 Hawaii-Okinawa Student Exchange Program.
Marlene is the daughter of Milton and Margaret (Tanida) Yafuso and graduated at the top of her Waiakea High School class. Marlene will be attending California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and major in Architectural Engineering.
Marlene’s high school accomplishments includes Varsity Swimming, National Honor Society, and a number of student government and other leadership positions.
Marlene and her family are long members of Hui Okinawa and Marlene received the Warabincha service award yearly from 1998 through 2002.
Marlene participated in a Kin Voyage trip to Okinawa in 2000 and was also a participant in the Hawaii-Okinawa Student Exchange Program.