HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The winner of the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s “Take Me to Manoa” scholarship giveaway was surprised Friday when she walked into the campus bookstore and received a giant check.
Born and raised in Waianae, Liliana Okimoto graduated from Iolani School last year and spent her freshman year at the University of Puget Sound in Washington state.
But living on the continent, she realized she missed home.
“Many people told me that going to the mainland would be the best for me, and I am very grateful for my time here,” Okimoto said in her contest entry video. “But I’ve come to realize that UH Manoa can offer me something that no other school can: a chance to be an active member in the beautiful community that raised me.”
Watch Okimoto’s full entry video:
Okimoto plans to continue her studies in psychology and studio art at UH Manoa this fall.
She thought she was visiting the department’s undergraduate chair, but was greeted instead by HNN’s Billy V, who announced her as this year’s winner and recipient of a full year of tuition.
“I’m in shock,” Okimoto said.
UH president Wendy Hensel and other university leaders, including interim provost Vassilis Syrmos, and athletics director Matt Elliott, were also on hand to welcome her.
“We are bringing someone home from the mainland who wants to come back to the University of Hawaii, and she’s getting free tuition. What’s more fun than that?” said Hensel.
Now in its eighth year, the annual Take Me to Manoa scholarship competition is sponsored by UH Manoa, UH Federal Credit Union, and Hawaii News Now.
It is open to Hawaii residents who are enrolled at UH Manoa for the upcoming fall semester as a first-time freshman or transfer student.
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