The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai presented scholarships of $1,000 each to Waiakea High School seniors Jairus Iwasaki and Deylyn Nekoba in recognition of their excellence in academic, co-curricular and extracurricular achievements. Kenjin Kai president Jon Arizumi presented the awards to Iwasaki and Nekoba at the school’s senior awards assembly on May 1.
Iwasaki served as senior class treasurer and was also a member of Waiakea’s Warrior Band program and Air Rifle Team. He has held student government leadership positions and chaired various school activities. Iwasaki has also been active in the East Hawai‘i 4-H program for nine years and was a National Youth in Action 4-H scholarship finalist and a 2016 delegate to the Hiroshima International Youth Exchange, a 10-day educational and cultural program that was held in Hiroshima. Jairus is the son of Kenjin Kai members Patsy and Alan Iwasaki. He completed two internships at Waiakea Elementary School and plans to major in elementary education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa this fall.
A senior class valedictorian, Nekoba has held numerous leadership positions in school-related activities, including student government, the Leo Club, Math League and Japanese Club. He received the Scholastic Achievement Award and the Athletic Award as a member of Waiakea’s golf team. Nekoba is currently treasurer of Hilo Hongwanji’s Junior Young Buddhists Association and received special recognition as a Hilo Hongwanji Japanese school student. Last year, he was selected as a delegate to the Hiroshima International Youth Exchange, attending among other activities, the peace memorial ceremony on Aug. 6. Nekoba is the son of Kenjin Kai members Lori and Darrell Nekoba. He will attend UH-Mänoa in the fall, majoring in mechanical engineering.
The educational scholarships are awarded to eligible children and grandchildren of East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai members.
