Scholarships: Past Recipients

The Ukulele Festival Hawaii College Scholarship Program is funded by Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a non-profit organization founded in 2004. Ukulele Festival Hawaii builds public awareness and interest in the ukulele as an instrument of virtuoso quality promoting Hawaii’s arts and culture through education, scholarships, and the annual free ukulele festivals.

For instructions on how to apply, see our Scholarship Information page.


2023 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

Kylie M. Rose - $2,000

School: James B Castle High School

Parents: Joni Kamiya & Matthew Rose

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

Katelynn Soriano - $2,000

School: University Laboratory School

Parents: Donna & Pete Soriano

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa


2022 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

Sara Kang - $2,000

School: Kalani High School

Parents: Junsang Kang/Yeonhee Park

College: University of Pennsylvania

Donovan Alos - $2,000

School: Mililani High School

Parents: Colin and Donnelle Alos

College: Grand Canyon University (AZ)

Rory Maddison Abad - $1,000

Sponsored by Blake and Sandra Yoshida in Memory of Walter & Dolly Takeuchi

School: Kapolei High School

Parents: Rocky and Glory Abad

College: Chaminade University of Honolulu


2021 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

Matthew Marlon Gante - $2,000

School: James Campbell High School

Parents: Marlon and Luzviminda Gante

College: Pacific Lutheran University (Washington)

Kailee Higa - $2,000

School: Aiea High School

Parents: Nakoa and Julie Higa

College: Saint Martin University

Cole Reagan Wilson Ige - $1,000

Sponsored by Blake and Sandra Yoshida in Memory of Walter & Dolly Takeuchi

School: Aiea High School

Parents: Reagan and Melissa Ige

College: Digipen Institute of Technology

Emma O. Hirota - $1,000

Sponsored by Senator Michelle N. Kidani

School: Mililani High School

Parents: Clark and Jill Hirota

College: University of Hawaii Manoa


2020 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

Geraldine Averion - $2,000

School: Kapeolei High School

Parents: Gerado & Judelyn Averion

College: Baylor University (Waco, TX)

Victoria Nhieu - $2,000

School: President William McKinley High

Parents: Felix Nhieu & Chu Le Truong

College: California Lutheran University

Riana Tarape-Lanet - $1,000

Sponsored by Senator Michelle N. Kidani

Parents: MarinaLee Tarape

College: Honolulu Community College

The Senator Michelle N. Kidani scholarship is awarded to an ukulele student with compassion, commitment, and pride in their work making their community a better place in which to live.

Justin Bundalian - $1,000

Sponsored by Senator Michelle N. Kidani

School: Mililani High School

Parents: Jerome Bundalian & Taryn Bundalian

College: Hawaii Tokai International College

The Senator Michelle N. Kidani scholarship is awarded to an ukulele student with compassion, commitment, and pride in their work making their community a better place in which to live.

Haley Tateyama - $1,000

Sponsored by Edward Carlstead

School: University Laboratory School

Parents: Rodney & Mika Tateyama

College: Sophia University (Japan)

In memory of Gail Kaya Carlstead, this college scholarship recognizes the outstanding voluntary services and positive impact of young people who inspire and nurture the well-being of children and adults through encouragement, listening, and believing in others.

Malia Ariyoshi - $1,000

Sponsored by Joan and Colins Kawai

School: Punahou School

Parents: Mark & Donna Ariyoshi

College: University of California Berkeley

In memory of Gail Kaya Carlstead, this college scholarship recognizes the outstanding voluntary services and positive impact of young people who inspire and nurture the well-being of children and adults through encouragement, listening, and believing in others.

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Tate Lau - $1,000

Sponsored by Dennis & Helen Yurong College Scholarship

Parents: Mele Place

College: Windward Community College

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Hi'ilani Alina-Kamark - $1,000

Sponsored by Blake & Sandra Yoshida in memory of Walter & Dolly Takeuchi

Parents: Robert Kamark and Lehua Alina

College: Chaminade University of Honolulu

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Makayla Morinaga - $1,000

Sponsored by David C. Blake

School: Pearl City High School

Parents: Michael and Janice Morinaga

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa


2019 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

Katebel Jose - $2,000

School: King Kekaulike High School (Maui)

Parent: Maribel Jose

College: University of Oregon

Kira Gatiuan - $2,000

School: Pearl City High School

Parents: Kevin & Cherylynn Gatiuan

College: Brigham Young University in Provo

Tate Lau - $1,000

Sponsored by Dennis & Helen Yurong College Scholarship

School: James B. Castle High School

Parent: Mele Place

College: Windward Community College

Tate Lau - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

School: James B. Castle High School

Parent: Mele Place

College: Windward Community College

Riana Tarape-Lanet - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

School: Mililani High School

Parent: MarinaLee Tarape

College: Honolulu Community College

Nicolle Feldner - $1,000

Sponsored by Senator Michelle N. Kidani

School: Hanalani Schools

Parent: Wendy Feldner

College: Corban University

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Seri Nakamura - $1,000

Sponsored by Lili Anama Park Memorial Fund

School: ‘Iolani school

Parents: Patrick and Lori Nakamura

College: Washington State University

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Matthew Paulino - $1,000

Sponsored In Memory of Shingo and Lillian Kaya

School: Roosevelt High School

Parents: Mark Paulino & Pauliana Wong

College: Kapiolani Community College


2018 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Samantha Makanahele Emmsley - $2,000

School: King Kekaulike High School (Maui)

Parent: Ann Emmsley

College: Oregon State University

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Quaid Seu - $1,000

Sponsored by Senator Michelle N. Kidani

School: Mililani High School

Parents: Derek & Kathleen Seu

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Kaycie Matsukado - $1,000

Sponsored by Lili Anama Park Memorial Fund

School: Punahou School

Parents: Tracie & Leslie Matsukado

College: The New School - Parsons School of Design (New York)

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Cassidy Kitano - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

Parents: Shayne and Amy Kitano

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

Major: Communicology

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Nick Acosta - $1,000

Sponsored by Terrie Whittaker

Parents: Jesper & Kim Acosta

College: Honolulu Community College


2017 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Alexandria Yawata - $2,000

School: Kaiser High School

Parents: Christopher & Shirley Yawata

College: Occidental College

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Kaila Chock-Nihi - $1,000

Sponsored by Senator Michelle N. Kidani

School: Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama

Parents: Perry Nihi & Renee Chock

College: University of Nevada Las Vegas

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Isaac Sugiura - $1,000

Sponsored by Lili Anama Park Memorial Fund

School: Castle High School

Parents: Donna & Clyde Sugiura

College: Windward Community College

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Carl Tanabe - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

Parents: Todd & Tammy Tanabe

College: Kapiolani Community College

Major: Elementary Education

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Nick Acosta - $1,000

Sponsored by Bob & Janie Paulger

Parents: Jesper & Kim Acosta

College: Honolulu Community College


2016 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Alyssa Kuwamoto - $2,000

School: La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls

Parents: Edwin & Laureen Kuwamoto

College: Linfield College - Oregon

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Brayden Ching - $1,000

Sponsored by Lili Anama Park Memorial Fund

School: Hoala School

Parents: Keola & Rhiannon Ching

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Tyra Danielle L. Talusan - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

School: Aiea High School

Parents: Joel & Romela Talusan

College: Leeward Community College

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Cassidy Kitano - $1,000

Sponsored by Senator Michelle N. Kidani

Parents: Shayne & Amy Kitano

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

Major: Communicology


2015 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Asayena Viengmany - $2,000

School: McKinley High School

Parent: Bounleuth Viengmany

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Tamlyn Tamura - $1,000

Sponsored by Lili Anama Park Memorial Fund

School: Punahou School

Parents: Curt & Cheryl Tamura

College: Seattle University

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Tory Watanabe - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

Parents: Kyle & Debbie Watanabe

College: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa - College of Education

Major: Secondary Education


2014 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Kieran Long - $1,000

School: Pahoa High and Intermediate School

Parent: Mark Long

College: University of Hawaii at Hilo

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Nicholas Acosta - $1,000

Sponsored by Lili Anama Park Memorial Fund

School: Damien Memorial School

Parents: Jesper & Kimberly Acosta

College: Heald College Honolulu

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Wendy Yoshioka - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

School Graduated: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, Bachelors of Social Work

Family: Husband Keith, children David & Lia

College: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, Masters Program

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2013 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Kylie Harada - $2,000

School: James B. Castle High School

Parents: David & Sandi Harada

College: Chaminade University

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Jason Lum - $1,000

Sponsored by Lili Anama Park Memorial Fund

School: Iolani School

Parents: Brian & Beverly Lum

College: University of Washington

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Cory Mau - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

School: Kamehameha School

Parents: Albert & Kendra Mau

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

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2012 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Trevor Yamagata - $1,000

School: Konawaena High School

Parents: Oren & Ira Yamagata

College: Pacific University, Oregon

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Kellan Kadooka - $1,000

Sponsored by Yamada Scott Family Fund in Honor of Roy & Kathy Sakuma

School: Konawaena High School

Parents: Neal & Lorraine Kadooka

College: University of Oregon

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Blaise Jonah Aquino - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

School: Moanalua High School

Parents: Shane & Dorothy Aquino

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Emily Fernandes - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

Parents: Erin & Gilbert Fernandes

College: University of Hawaii at Hilo

Major: B.S. in Geology

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2011 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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William K.K. Salavea III - $1,000

School: Hilo High School

Parent: Rochelle Kaula

College: University of San Francisco

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Joel McBrayer - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

School: Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus

Parents: James & Lisa McBrayer

College: Biola University

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Sara Neidenberg - $1,000

Sponsored by Yamada Scott Family Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation

Parents: Marc and Carol Neidenberg

College: University of Washington

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Lee Teraoka - $1,000

Sponsored by Eleanor Higa Performing Arts Foundation

Parents: Bruce & Charlotte Teraoka

College: Leeward Community College


2010 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Micah Ganiron - $1,000

School: University Laboratory School

Parents: Tony & Carol Ganiron

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Gage I. Lucas - $1,000

Sponsored by Yamada Scott Family Fund in honor of Pops and Mom Okami

School: Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus

Parent: Bernard F. Lucas, Jr.

College: University of Hawaii at Manoa

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2009 Ukulele Festival Hawaii Scholarship Recipients

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Colton R. Manley - $1,000

School: Molokai High School

Parents: Randy & Louise Manley

College: Azusa Pacific University (CA)

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Alany-Grace Eder - $750

School: Waiakea High School

Parents: Nicomedes & Ludivina Eder

College: University of Hawaii at Hilo

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Lance Delos Reyes - $500

School: Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus

Parent: Gracie M. Grace

College: Oregon State University

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