University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu students and their achievements, as well as those who support students and their successes, were honored at the Spring 2024 Pueo Awards Ceremony and Reception, held April 26 at the Campus Center Multipurpose Room.
“The Pueo Awards is to celebrate students and our beloved community,” said UH West O‘ahu Director of Student Life Rouel Velasco. “Students are recognized for their excellence in academics, intramurals and fitness, student employment, student organizations, and volunteerism.”
This year, Student Life added two new awards to celebrate the positive influence and mentorships from other students, faculty, and staff, Velasco noted.
The Outstanding Mentor Award went to Kelly Fujino, Dr. Leslie Lopez, Brooke Rehmann, John Schoffstall, and Wendy Tatsuno. The Outstanding Success Advocate Award went to Dr. ML Kalikolani Correa.
“These two awards are nominated by students and selected by a student screening panel,” Velasco said. “It is also great to recognize faculty and staff who go over and beyond for students.”
Dozens were honored at the semi-annual event, which featured a welcome and congratulatory remarks by Chancellor Maenette Benham and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dee Uwono. Each honoree was presented with a lei, award, and warm handshake by Benham, Uwono, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harald Barkhoff, and interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Camonia Graham-Tutt.
The Spring 2024 Pueo Awards Ceremony and Reception was hosted by the Campus Center Board (CCB), one of the Chartered Student Organizations at UH West O‘ahu. Board members who planned and coordinated the event included Ilikea Gould and Kamryn Lapinid with Velasco, CCB advisor. Organizers also extend a warm mahalo to Valerio’s Tropical Bake Shop for their continued support in sponsoring and donating desserts.
The following is a list of the awards and recipients:
ASUHWO Awards
Appreciation Medal: Alana Grace, Brittny Kulanui Perez, Leslie Lynn Opulauoho
Volunteerism Medal: Leialoha Tatum Leslie
Distinguished Medal: Lindsey Millerd
RISO Awards
Accounting Club
Officer with Energy and Potential: Troy Bunce
Longest and Hardworking Officer: Garrett Oshiro
Social Motivated Officer: Kathy Alcantara
Pueo Gaming
UH Esports Collegiate Tournament Representatives: Nathanial Dominguez, James Hamamoto, Noah Dods Medeiros, Wayne Allan Rivera, Reece Takayama
Pueo Gaming Distinguished Gamer Award: Nathaniel Dominguez, Cyrus Olivas, Kymia Tagami
West Oahu Psychology Club
VIP Officer Award: Gabrielle Grohowski
VIP Officer Award: Shayna Bing
Outstanding WOPC Member: Cindy Cox
Outstanding Officer: Zachary Agcaoili
Academic Excellence Awards
Public Administration Academic Excellence
Community Health: Terry Wills
Health Care Administration: Madison Abero, Anissa Bran, Leanna Cabarloc, Tehane Kekuawela
General Public Administration: Anagen Manipon-Hamada, John Schoffstall, Krystlyn-Leimomi Villanueva
Humanities — Outstanding Academic Achievement in the Humanities Award
Travis Antonacci, Bethany Gallarde, Sydnee Passos, Sean Priester, Alfred Tufono, Karla Yanagisawa
Math, Natural and Health Sciences Pueo RISE (Resilient Innovative Scholarly Exceptional) Awards
Pueo RISE Healer: Alana Grace
Pueo RISE Pre-Physical Therapy: Brian Hundley
Pueo RISE Health Information Manager: Jeanine Mentnech
Pueo RISE Excellence Award: MaKenzie Dyess
Pueo RISE Chemist: Shayla Kunimura
Pueo RISE Organic Chemist: Xanigo Murphree
Pueo RISE Applied Mathematician: Chloe Teijeiro
Campus Recreation Awards
Fitness Award: Josiah Aleka
Volleyball Intramurals
Team Tyto: Samantha-Ashley Gamiao, Amanda Mae Alimbuyao, Jeremiah Lualua, Bradley Tacata, Ranie Cabang, Jacob Obrey
Team Asio: JakeStone (Pohaku) Godfrey, Maria Alyssandra Enriquez, Alianis Ayala-Reyes, Justin Ricafort, Sierra Nahulu, Ronald Shiue, Izaiah Ibarra
Student Employment Awards
Student Employee of the Semester Award: Troy Bunce, Olivia Chung, Sydney Whitley
Student Life and Leadership Excellence Awards
University-wide Student Leaders (serving in any of the Chartered Student Organizations — ASUHWO Senate, Campus Center Board, Student Activity Fee Board, Student Media Board/The Hoot, and Health, Technology, and Transportation Advisory):
Moises Alhambra, Jr.
Danielle Ethan Bantilan
Olivia Chung
Zander DeMarco
Noah Dods
Ilikea Gould
Jasika Gouveia
John Kamakana, V
Leviticus Kaopuiki
Kamryn Lapinid
Georcelle Lozano
Ashley Macho
Nyle Manzano
Carley Matsumura
Mia Maynard
Jared McCann
Noah Dods Medeiros
Marc Mercado, Jr.
Lindsey Millerd
Noah Padilla
Anna Paguirigan
Kayden Rego
Grace Sapolu
Sage Tesoro
Tawny Tynanes
Sydney Whitley
Tre Zamora
Outstanding Advisor Award: Dr. Edward Keaunui
Outstanding Mentor Award: Kelly Fujino, Dr. Leslie Lopez, Brooke Rehmann, John Schoffstall, Wendy Tatsuno
Outstanding Success Advocate Award: Dr. ML Kalikolani Correa
Emerging Leadership: Shayna Bing
Recognition of Leadership Service for Graduating Student Leaders: John Kamakana, V; Marc Mercado, Jr.; Brittny Kulanui Perez
Acknowledgements
Chancellor Maenette Benham
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harald Barkoff
Vice Chancellor for Administration David McDonald
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dee Uwono
Shawna-Leigh Camara
Olivia Chung
Malia Cook
Aloha Espinosa
Kelly Fujino
Nyle Manzano
Marc Mercado, Jr.
Lynn Reyes
Ryan-Dave Rivera