KAPAIA — In the shadow of the historic Kapaia swinging bridge that represents life in the plantation camp of Kapaia during the plantation days era, Kapa‘a High School recent graduate Tyler Tanaka was presented this year’s scholarship and certificate by the Kapaia Foundation, represented by Kimo St. John and Laraine Moriguchi, Sunday afternoon.
The scholarship reflects the mission of the Kapaia Foundation, which works to preserve and promote the rich history of the Kapaia Valley. The scholarship was created to recognize the dreams of sugar-plantation-era immigrants for the success of their descendants.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to receive this aid from the Kapaia Foundation,” said Tanaka, son of Glenn and Doreen Tanaka of Kapa‘a. “I am the first in my family to attend college on the mainland, and receiving this scholarship will allow me to take a step towards reaching my goal of working as a nurse in Hawai‘i.”
Surrounded by family, friends of the Kapaia Foundation, and Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics Coach Curt Colby, Tanaka announced plans to attend Pacific Lutheran University in Washington and pursue a degree in nursing.
His ancestors immigrated to Hawai‘i in the early 1900s to work as laborers in the pineapple fields. His family, like the sugar-plantation worker, dedicated their lives to the betterment of Hawai‘i’s economy, and created a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community.
“My family tree connects me to people around the world,” Tanaka said in his essay to the foundation.
“This has allowed various cultural practices and traditions to be passed down through the generations. My family believes in the importance of staying true to their values and principles.
“By working to achieve the goals I’ve set for myself and dedicating myself to my own interpersonal and intellectual growth, I will strive to uphold the dreams that my forefathers had for their family. I intend to leave a positive footprint in this world to honor what my ancestors have done. While there are many speculations of what happens following (physical) death, if I have the opportunity to meet my family, I want to be able to greet them with my head held high.”
Raised in a background of swimming, the Kapa‘a High graduate was ranked 15th out of 203 students in his graduating class, and attaining listing on the Principal’s List for his four-year high school tenure. He leaves for Washington with Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation All-Star honors for all four years of being a Warrior swimmer, and in community swimming holds the SKA 1,650-yard freestyle record.
“I am planning to pursue nursing to work as a registered nurse in the state of Hawai‘i,” Tanaka said. “I look forward to dedicating my life to the betterment of my local community. The blood that runs through my veins showcases an enormous part of history — it talks the story of immigrants who moved to the United States to seek a better life. I plan to contribute to the success story that is embedded in my DNA. Every life that I touch during my career, and in my daily life, will be because of the help that I receive today.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
