The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii recently announced that Maya Atwal and Cami Wong were awarded scholarships of $1,500 each for the coming school year.
Maya is the daughter of Money and Jill Atwal. She is a recent graduate of Waiakea High School and plans to attend the University of San Diego. While at Waiakea High, Maya was a member of the Varsity Soccer and Tennis team as well as in the Debate and Loins club. For Soccer she received a BIIF D-1 All Team Honorable mention and in Tennis, she was a BIIF Doubles Champion, State Tennis Competition Qualifier, BIIF Tennis Team Champion and HHSAA Team Finalist. Maya also held Student Class Officer positions including, Senior and Sophomore class Vice President and Junior and Freshman Class Secretary. Maya intends to study Biology and after receiving her undergraduate degree, she intends to attend UH William S. Richardson School of Law. Maya’s volunteer activities influenced her desire to become a attorney. She saw the beauty of Hawaii as well as the injustice and the need for an advocate for those that do not have a voice.
Cami Wong is the daughter of Uriel and Sharon Wong. She is a recent graduate of Hilo High School. While attending Hilo High, she was a member of the Key, Taiko, and Japanese Clubs. Cami earned the Best Japanese Language Award in 2021 as well as Awards for Academic Excellence in Math, Fine Arts and World Languages. She also won Key club service awards in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and first prize in the 2021 Hawai’i Onolicious Recipe contest. Cami plans to attend the University of Hawaii- West Oahu majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in Japanese. She was inspired to take this path through her community work and her PSA video for Japanese Tourist education them on Hawaii’s Coronavirus Protocols.
Our congratulations to both scholarship recipients!
The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii promotes and preserves Japanese culture in Hawaii County, and fosters harmonious relations with Japan. The organization works with the County of Hawaii and its Sister-City of Shibukawa, Japan, where the Ikaho Hawaiian Festival is held annually in honor of King David Kalakaua, “The Merrie Monarch.” Today, the association is best known for sponsoring an active calendar of cultural events, such as the biennial Bunka No Hi (Japanese Culture Day in Hawaii) and Kodomo No Matsuri (Children's Day Festival). The annual Nikkei Kigyo (enterprise of Japanese ancestry) Banquet, recognizes long-standing, multi-generational Japanese American businesses, in East Hawaii. For more information, please call the association at 969-6437 or email jcahawaii@yahoo.com.