2008-2009

Colette Masunaga

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Colette Masunaga has spent much of her high school career overseas. She has traveled to Japan as an exchange student as well as a youth ambassador, served as a senate page under Senator Inouye in Washington DC, and has been apart of the TREE Hawaii exchange with the Navajo and Yavapai-Apache tribes in Arizona. Her most recent endeavor was being a Rotary youth exchange student to Thailand this past year. Despite her busy schedule Colette made time for school activities such as NHS, Japanese club, Tennis, and Water Polo. She graduated top ten percent in her class and will be attending American River College on a full ride scholarship sponsored by the D & J scholarship fund. Colette plans to major in Biology.

Corrie Kamigaki

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Corrie is a proud graduate of Konawaena High School. During her years in high school she enjoyed being active in her school and community. In her senior year, she was the senior class treasurer, president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Konawaena’s Leo club, and her 4-H club’s vice president. A few of her accomplishments included, being recognized as a National 4-H Congress Delegate, which allowed her to travel to Atlanta, Georgia and meet other 4-Hers from around the nation, as well as being a part of the Japan-American Society: Japan Wizards Competition 1st Place Team, gaining the opportunity to travel to Japan. She is also very proud of her accomplishment in making it to the tennis state tournament this year, competing in the doubles division with one of her best friends as her partner. Corrie is looking forward to a new beginning attending the University of San Diego starting this fall and would like to thank the Kona-California Scholarship for all of their help and support.

Mark Simpliciano

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Mr. Simpliciano has truly experience life lessons and experiences in his life. By the inspiration of his parents, who are immigrants from the Philippines who came here with the hopes that they can provide their kids and themselves the American dream. He has also gained life lessons by taking care of his autistic brother, learning values of life, many do not experience with. As a student in Kealakehe High School, mark has been involved with various activities and clubs, and has graduated in the top ten percent of his class with a 3.8 GPA. With these lessons Mark has learned, he is determine to
fulfill his parents dream of having their children grasp the promises America has to offer. By doing so, Mark will be attending San Diego State University majoring in Political science, with hopes of becoming a politician.