UH Maui Students Honored at 2011 ‘Aipono Awards

By Wendy Osher

UHMC Culinary Arts Chefs prepare hors d'oeuvres during the reception for the 2011 'Aipono Awards, held Sunday night, April 17, at the Four Seasons Maui Wailea Resort. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Six UH Maui College students were awarded $4,000 in scholarships during last night’s ‘Aipono Awards Gala hosted by Maui No Ka Oi magazine.

The annual event highlights food industry leaders, chefs and restaurants exclusively on Maui.  Proceeds from the event also benefit the Maui Culinary Academy.

Students were recognized as outstanding achievers by their department coordinators and were presented the scholarship awards in the presence of hundreds of business and restaurant industry principals.

Recipients of $1,000 representing the UH Maui College Business and Hospitality Department are:

• Shiree Gomes – As a Hospitality & Tourism major, Shiree has maintained a 4.0 GPA, is the secretary of UH Maui College’s Hui Ho’okipa Club and is the student representative on UH MC’s Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Committee. Shiree’s career goal includes gaining experience in all aspects of hotel operations to eventually obtain a management position.
• Shelly Mae Silva – Born and raised on Maui, Shelly maintains a 3.69 GPA. In addition to attending school full-time, Shelly is busy raising two daughters. She is a member UH Maui College’s Hui Hookipa club and volunteers with the Habitat for Humanity organization and the Four Seasons Resort’s Day of Hope event. Her goal is to earn her Associates in Applied Science and pursue a career as a Front Office Manager or General Manager.

Maui Culinary Academy students receiving $500 each include:

• Raenn Canto – Rae is a mother of four children and a full-time student currently in her third semester at the Culinary Academy with a 3.77 GPA. Her goal is to obtain an Associate in Applied Science Degree and work in the foodservice industry.
• Kayla Giannotto – Kayla has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She has worked in her father’s restaurant since she was 13 years old. Her goal is to receive a culinary and baking degree from UH MC’s Culinary Academy; and open her own restaurant.
• Thomas Glover – Thomas was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. After working over 20 years in the automotive engineering field he found himself out of work. He moved to Maui in 2004 and pursued his interest in the culinary arts. Thomas has a 4.0 GPA and his goal is to obtain his degree from the Culinary Academy and pursue a culinary career here on Maui.
• Nahika Stout – Nahika did many different jobs before she found her passion in the Culinary Arts. She is a full-time student maintaining a 3.86 GPA with plans to graduate in the fall of 2011. Following graduation, she plans on traveling to experience and taste different cuisines to expand her palate and gain valuable experience.

The award was presented by the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association and was made possible through proceeds received from the agency’s annual EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION Golf Tournament.

“It’s an honor to be able to provide for our future. These students excel in their respective areas and have been awarded for their achievements. We look forward to watching these stellar students turn into the next generation of business leaders,” says Carol Reimann, MHLA Executive Director.

The 2011 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION golf tournament will be held on Friday, August 26.  This event funds Maui’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, a curriculum in high schools for students interested in the visitor industry. It also provides for scholarships for UH Maui College students in the Culinary and Business & Hospitality programs.

*** Supporting information courtesy Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.