By The Maui News

KAHULUI – The Portuguese Association of Maui recently presented $5,500 in scholarship checks to five college bound scholars from Maui.

Joleen Rose Alexander will enter her second year at Chaminade University in Honolulu where she is working toward her Bachelor’s degree. She hopes to obtain her Master’s Degree in Forensic Science and return home to Maui to work at the Maui Police Department’s Forensic Laboratory. Joleen is the daughter of Joseph Jr. and Jennifer Alexander of Kahului and received a grant of $1,000.

Gabriella Leialoha Pinheiro is currently enrolled at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska pursuing a degree in occupational therapy. She is a 2023 graduate of Kamehameha Schools -Maui where she gained proficiency in both spoken and written Hawaiian and Japanese. Gabriella plans to become an occupational therapist. She is the daughter of Joseph and Dana Pinheiro of Kahului and received a grant of $1,000.

Leia Hiwalani Smythe is currently enrolled at UH-Maui College studying toward a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Her parents were unfit to care for her. When she was 13, her uncle secured custody of Leia, brought her to his home on Maui where, with her paternal grandmother, Leia received the emotional support, care and encouragement needed to turn her life around. She wants to become a social worker and offer therapy to others to help them as she has been helped. Leia received a grant of $1,000 to assist with the cost of education.

Shayna Isabelle Villon is a 2024 graduate of Maui High School where she ranked first in a class of 395 students and was class valedictorian. Shayna will enter George Fox University in Newburg, Oregon where she plans to pursue a degree in civil engineering. She hopes to give back to her community through works of infrastructure as a civil engineer and as a coach in youth sports. Shayna is the daughter of Sherwin and Stacey Villon of Kahului and received a grant of $1,000.

Sidney Kameali’i Phillips Tanaka graduated magna cum laud last year in her undergraduate studies at Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon. Sidney is currently enrolled in the graduate program at Pacific University pursuing her doctorate in Audiology. She hopes to return to Maui and serve as a practicing Audiologist. She serves as treasurer for the Pacific chapter of the Academy of Audiology. She has provided hearing screenings in the community at health conventions and works as a Graduate Assistant for the Pacific Ear Clinic. Sidney is the recipient of the Richard and Fátima Cameron Scholarship which recognizes academic achievement, community service and leadership. Sidney received a grant of $1,500. She is the daughter of James Tanaka of Wailuku and Jennifer Phillips Tuaoa of Kahului. Sidney could not attend the awards presentation in person as she was still at Pacific University. Her maternal grandparents Tom and Brenda Phillips accepted the award on her behalf.

The Portuguese Association of Maui, a nonprofit organization committed to preservation of Portuguese culture and history in Hawaii, began awarding scholarships for post-high school studies in 2003. Located at Heritage Hall in Paia, the Association has given a total of $72,500 to 66 Maui scholars over the past 21 years.