By: Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz

HWEA Scholarship Recipients ($2,000 per recipient):

The HWEA scholarship is an award that is given preference each year to two full-time college students who is a dependent of a due-paying HWEA member.

The scholarship has students reflect on their career path and how HWEAs mission can be upheld through the work they aspire to do after they graduate college. 

Karissa Ginoza is currently a freshman at the University of Southern California currently working toward obtaining a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with pre-medicine.

Karyn Fukuroku is currently a freshman at the University of Hawaii at Manoa currently working toward obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business marketing.

PONO Scholarship Recipient ($2,000 per recipient):

The PONO (Peter Ono) Memorial Scholarship started In 2023 to commemorate Peter Ono, a long-time HWEA friend who served Hawaii’s water industry during his professional career. This award is possible in part to Peter’s late wife, Tina Ono, contributing half of the scholarship amount each year. This scholarship is offered each year to students who have a degree in a water or environmental related field, and who intends to use their degree to benefit Hawaii’s water industry.

Melissa Zakala-Downs is currently a senior at the University of Hawaii at Manoa currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in civil/environmental engineering with a focus in sustainability and innovation.