LIHUE — Several of the students earning Contractors Association of Kauai scholarships were unable to attend the CAK Scholarship Dinner last week at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
But Laurel Loo, speaking for the CAK Scholarship Committee, explained the students were involved in college internships, and their absence will not affect their awards.
CAK distributed $11,000 in scholarships to eight students during the association’s general membership meeting.
Aaryn Rose Gray, the daughter of Andrea Gray and George Gray, was one of those who could not attend because she is doing a summer internship with Winick Architects in Santa Barbara, California. Gray earned a $1,000 CAK scholarship to help continue her studies toward becoming an architect at the University of Oregon, where she will be a junior.
Aleya Abeshima, doing an internship in Seattle with general contracting firm Skanska, also was not present. She is working with Skanska on building a 40-story, 374-unit high rise in Seattle.
Abeshima earned not only a $2,000 CAK scholarship, but also the distinction of being the first second-generation CAK scholarship recipient. She followed the footsteps of her father, a civil engineer, who was the recipient of a CAK scholarship while in college.
Riley Saiki, the son of Ryan Saiki of Eleele, earned a $1,500 Guy Matsunaga Memorial Scholarship. He is studying electrical engineering at the University of Portland.
Rilen Loo, the son of Dr. Jere and Donna Loo of Lihue, received a $1,500 Hawaii Gas scholarship, which he will use when he enters Seattle University as a freshman, majoring in civil engineering.
Conner Garcia, the son of Rhonda and Jeffrey Garcia of Lihue, graduated from Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama and will use his $1,000 Kenneth Shioi Memorial Scholarship when he enters San Diego State University as a freshman studying electrical engineering.
Avery Miguel, the son of Melany and Ivan Miguel of Waimea, also earned a $1,000 Shioi scholarship that he will use when entering the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a freshman studying landscape architecture.
Zachary Safford, the son of Timothy and Laura Goodrich Maier, will use the $2,000 Shioi scholarship when he enters the University of Notre Dame to study civil engineering.
Bryson Baligad, the son of Pam and Brian Baligad of Kapaa, earned a $1,000 Yasuo and Hisae Minatoya Memorial Scholarship. He is studying engineering at Columbia University.
Laurel Loo said a portion of the proceeds from the CAK annual scholarship golf tournament, celebrating its silver anniversary this year on Aug. 4 at the Puakea Golf Course, fuels the scholarship program.
CAK was established in 1957 as a trade association of licensed contractors, suppliers and businesses affiliated with the construction industry on Kauai. The group is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
