Photo Caption: Recipients of Keauhou Canoe Club 2025 scholarships were recently celebrated at a morning potluck. Pictured from left with KCC President Bill Armer is Abram Ikaika Mahalo Utrera, Jocelyn Conae and Slayde RK Thompson. Since 2008, the club has awarded over $51K in scholarships to over 30 local graduating seniors. Photo courtesy Keauhou Canoe Club. 

KEAUHOU-KONA, HAWAI‘I ISLAND—Konawaena High School graduates Abram Ikaika Mahalo Utrera and Slayde RK Thompson join Joselyn Conae of Hawaii Technology Academy as the three recipients of 2025 scholarships from Keauhou Canoe Club (KCC). These graduating seniors recently received their $2,000 scholarships during a KCC potluck celebration. 

Receiving the James F. Rodgers Academic Achievement Scholarship is Abram Utrera who plans to attend UH-Manoa to study kinesiology. With a 3.7 GPA, the honors student was active in numerous school and club activities, including judo, wresting, track and field, paddling and Polynesian Dance Club. A teacher noted Utrera exhibited a high level of hard work and perseverance “and goes out of his way to help others through mentorship or encouragement, fostering a positive environment for all around him.”

The Mike Haines Merit Achievement Scholarship is awarded to Slayde RK Thompson. The 3.5 GPA student plans to study automotive technology at UH Community College with a goal to become a skilled automotive mechanic and own his own business. Thompson served as the team captain and strength of the high school swimming team while his paddling coach credited this youth as a dedicated and consistent paddler “who has grown into an exceptional young man and inspiring team leader.”

Jocelyn Conae is the inaugural recipient of KCC’s new Mary MacCheyne Humanitarian Achievement Scholarship. She will study science/EMT at UH-Manoa. “Jocelyn is graduating with academic honors, maintaining a remarkable 3.9 GPA while pursuing advanced courses in the University of Hawai‘i’s Running Start program by completing college level classes while still in high school,” noted one of her teachers. “She has been class president, member of the Student Leadership and Activities Club since 9th grade, originator of various programs and total school opportunities at the brand new Hawaii Technology Academy.” 

Over 30 local seniors have received scholarships totaling $51,500 from Keauhou Canoe Club since 2008. The club annually awards scholarships to west side Hawai‘i Island graduating seniors who have at least two years recent paddling experience in a school athletic program or paddling club. 

Keauhou Canoe Club

Founded in 1980, the mission of Keauhou Canoe Club is to educate our youth, our membership and the community at large about Hawaiian culture, values and traditions. KCC provides paddling opportunities for people of all ages, www.keauhoucanoeclub.com.