HFS Federal Credit Union Awards $60,000 in Scholarships

Hilo, HI. (June 6, 2025) –

HFS Federal Credit Union (HFS FCU) is proud to announce the twenty (20) outstanding scholarship recipients of their 2025 Scholarship Program.

For the past 14 years, the Credit Union has awarded over $295,000 in scholarships to more than one hundred ten student members to help with their college expenses. This year, the Credit Union increased the number of scholarship awards from fifteen to twenty. Ten scholarships were awarded to graduating Big Island high school seniors and ten scholarships to current college students attending a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate program. Each recipient was awarded $3,000 for a total of $60,000 in scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Recipients include a 2-year student who is majoring in Kinesiology, nine 4-year students heading off to various colleges for the first time and ten current college students completing degrees in Aeronautical Science, Chemical Engineering, and more!

HFS Federal Credit Union congratulates the following scholarship recipients:

·         Shae’Lynn Abran (Boise State University)

·         Marissa Boerner (Berry College)

·         Sophie Canine (Parker High School)

·         Jayda Cuevas-Varize (University of Hawai’i at Hilo)

·         Lichen Forster (University of Hawai’i at Hilo)

·         Kaia Fujinaka (Waiākea High School)

·         Jada Igawa (Waiākea High School)

·         Jacob Kabes (University of Hawai’i at Hilo)

·         Hali’imailelauli’i Kuamo’o (Kamehameha Schools-Hawai’i)

·         Kalissa Leslie (University of California, Los Angeles)

·         Jiselle Maglinti (University of Southern California)

·         Keolakai Makaimoku (Ke Kula ‘o Nāwahiokalani’ōpu’u)

·         Heart Mendoza (Kea’au High School)

·         Lexy Kaye Ramos (University of Hawai’i at Hilo)

·         Jared Saludares (Kea’au High School)

·         Madison Sibucao (Kamehameha Schools-Hawai’i

·         Tehya Thome (Grand Canyon University)

·         Marlon Utrera, Jr. (Kealakehe High School)

·         Kiana Lei Vallente (University of Hawai’i at Hilo)

·         Tiffany Wong (Waiākea High School)

Jesica Carriaga, HFS Federal Credit Union Scholarship Committee Chairperson says, “The Credit Union is proud to support its student members who will one day be leaders in the community and positive contributors in the workforce.”

HFS FCU releases applications at the beginning of each year, offering scholarships for both graduating Big Island high school seniors pursuing a 2 or 4-year degree, as well as current college students pursuing a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate degree. For more information, please contact the Credit Union at (808) 930-1400 or visit our website at hfsfcu.org/scholarships/.