Maui High School 2017 Hall of Honor Members Named

The Maui High School Foundation today announced five inductees to Maui High School’s 2017 Hall of Honor.

This year the Foundation inducts the following individuals into the school’s Hall of Honor: Clinton Shiraishi (Class of 1940); Stewart Stant (Class of 1984); Mamoru Yamasaki (Class of 1935); Tony Medeiros (MHS Girls Soccer Coach, Class of 1981); and Marilyn Morikawa (Class of 1966).

Maui High School 2017 Hall of Honor inductees. (L to R – top row) Clinton Shiraishi, Stewart Stant, Mamoru Yamasaki; (L to R bottom row) Tony Medeiros and Marilyn Morikawa. Images: Courtesy MHS.

Maui High’s Hall of Honor was created in 2011 and annually recognizes individuals with ties to Maui High School who have made outstanding contributions to the legacy of the school and to the community.

The Silversword Heritage Award, which credits an alumnus for their distinguished life and work is being awarded to Clinton Shiraishi, Class of 1940.

Maui born Clinton Shiraishi is the son of Japanese immigrant plantation workers. He is a World War II hero, has had a successful career as an attorney and judge on the island of Kauaʻi, and is also the founder of Kauaʻi Realty, one of the island’s largest real estate firms.

Shiraishi enlisted in the US Army at the age of 20 and served with the famous 442nd Regimental Combat team.  After the war Shiraishi studied law at John Marshall Law School in Chicago where he graduated 3rd in his class.

Immediately after passing the bar exam, he was appointed to a district court judge position on Kauai. Shiraishi was the first ever to get a law degree from Nashiwa camp, the Paia based camp that was home to Japanese plantation workers.

The Award of Excellence, which credits an alumnus who has excelled in their field or profession is being issued to Stewart Stant Class of 1984.

Stant is the Director of the Department of Environmental Management for the County of Maui. He has worked for the County since 1991, starting as a humble Electrician Helper and later becoming an Electrician Repairer, Wastewater Plant Maintenance Manager, and then in 2015 was appointed to Director of Environmental Management. In this top position Stant oversees Solid Waste, Wastewater Reclamation, Environmental Protection and Sustainability, and a staff of 240 County employees.

Beginning in 2009, and simultaneously while working full time for the County, Stant ventured into a direct- marketing firm called ACN. Once again Stant started from the bottom, marketing video phone service out of the back of his vehicle. He is now a Regional Vice President for ACN overseeing seven team coordinators each with 200- 300 people on their teams.

The Spirit of Maui Award, which honors and alumnus who gives back to and makes a difference within the community, is being issued to Mamoru Yamasaki Class of 1935.

According to an Obituary published in the Star Advertiser in 1999, Senator Mamoru Yamasaki served more than 33 years in territorial and state legislatures and chaired the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee for 12 years.  The publication states that he was born in Pāʻia, Maui and his career included time as a marine terminal clerk for Kahului Railroad from 1941 to 1963 and as an ILWU business agent from 1963 to 1981.

The Inspiration Award, which is issued to a faculty member past or present who went above- and-beyond and made a difference to the students of the school, is being awarded to Tony Medeiros a MHS Girls Soccer Coach and graduate of the Class of 1981.

School administrators say the long time MHS Girls Soccer Varsity Coach has inspired countless young lives through his dedication to the development and advancement of soccer in the community.  Medeiros began his coaching career at the age of 15, as an assistant coach under the Maui Youth Soccer Organization. In 1981 he began officiating as well.   Medeiros became head coach for MHS Girls soccer in the 1983-84 season.

Medeiros became head coach for MHS Girls soccer in the following 1983-84 season and is now entering his 34th season with the Sabers.  Medeiros has been named MIL Coach of the year 10 times, and has led MHS Girls Soccer to 11 MIL titles.

The Saber Spirit Award, which is issued to an individual who is an unsung hero to the school, possibly volunteered at the school, is being awarded to Marilyn Morikawa.

Morikawa is a 1966 MHS graduate and parent of 1994, 1996, and 2000 MHS alumni.  She volunteers at the school and attends school events from time to time, such as athletic events, Saber Family Fun Night and Senior Project.  She and her husband Lyman Morikawa have made numerous donations to the school, its programs, and the MHS Foundation. Marilyn has served on MHS Foundation committees and served as chair to Maui High’s Historical Committee during the school’s 2013 Centennial Celebration.

School administrators say this year’s class of five inductees joins a prestigious group of individuals who through their lives have made a lasting impression on the Maui High Community.

Other members of the Hall of Honor include former congresswoman the late Patsy T. Mink, retired Science teacher Ed Ginoza, Hawaiian entertainer Uluwehi Guerrero, Lt. Governor Shan S. Tsutsui, past Bank of Hawaii President the late Wilson P. Cannon, A&B executive Grant Chun, and Drs Frank Baum and Colleen Inouye Baum to name a few.

The Honorees will be recognized at the Foundation’s 7th Annual Hall of Honor Banquet scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 at the King Kamehameha Golf Club from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event date, usually set in late October, has been bumped up by one month to keep in line with the timeline of Maui High’s projected 2017 Homecoming Week festivities, which are slated for the last week of September..

The Hall of Honor Banquet is the top fundraiser for the MHS Foundation and paves the way for the Foundation to offer scholarships and funding support to the school. Funds raised from the 2016 Hall of Honor allowed the Foundation to offer $10,500 in scholarships in 2017, assist the school in the purchase of a new digital sign for the campus, and grant support funding for numerous school programs and student clubs.

“We were very thankful to see last year’s event sell out a month in advance and enlist the support of 15 sponsors from among our community” event chair Erin Clapper comments. “Although the venue has changed and ticket prices have increased a bit this year, we still anticipate a high level of interest in this ‘good fun’ event. Those interested in attending to honor our newest inductees and/or support Maui High School are encouraged to secure their tables or individual tickets early.”

Proceeds of the Hall of Honor Banquet benefit the MHS Foundation whose purpose is to promote and foster the development of Maui High School. For more information and to purchase tickets visit mauihighschoolfoundation.com or contact Event Chair Erin Clapper at (808) 330- 8338. Inquiries and requests for tickets may also be emailed to [email protected].