Maui Students Accepted into Prestigious US Military Academies

Maui’s Harlie Stone, a 2017 graduate of Haleakalā Waldorf School and Caleb Soo Hoo a graduate of Baldwin High School, are among a list of 30 outstanding Hawaiʻi students that have been accepted into four of the US service academies.

Harlie Stone (Haleakalā Waldorf School 2017) (left); and Caleb Soo Hoo (Baldwin High School 2017) (right).

Stone was accepted into the US Naval Academy and Soo Hoo was accepted into the US Air Force Academy.

An additional 17 have been appointed to the US service academy preparatory schools. Of the 30 who have accepted appointments, 24 students and their parents were recognized at a reception hosted by the Military Affairs Council of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi on May 31, 2017 at the Oʻahu Country Club.

“Each year thousands of students, from across the country, who have demonstrated strong academic achievement, outstanding character and are committed to serving the nation apply to these prestigious military academies that have a limited number of available slots,” said David Carey, MAC chairman. “We were pleased to see such a diverse group that came from both public and private schools from across the state. We wish them all success as they enter their respective academies in the fall and would like to thank them for their commitment to serving our nation.”

The students were honored by members of the MAC and alumni of US military academies as they prepare to attend US Military Academy (West Point), US Naval Academy, US Coast Guard Academy, US Air Force Academy, the US Military Academy Preparatory School, US Naval Academy Preparatory School and US Air Force Academy Preparatory School.

The following is the list that were accepted into the academies and preparatory schools:

US Military Academy

Samuel Chase (Hanalani School 2017)
Anthony Corey (Kalaheo High School 2017)
Kainalu Gandia (Kapaʻa High School 2016/U.S. Military Academy Prep School)
Jennifer Gervais (Hilo High School 2017)
Devon Hartsell (Waimea High School 2016/Greystone Prep)
Stephen Krejci (US Army)
Alexander Lee (Mililani High School 2017)
Ana Oglivie (ʻIolani School 2017)
Jackson Xu (Roosevelt High School 2017)

US Naval Academy

Zachary Bell (University Laboratory School 2017)
Julia Boykin (Kalaheo High School 2017)
Cagla Brennan (ʻIolani School 2017)
Alema Kapoi (Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama 2016/US Naval Academy Prep School)
Keoni-Kordell Makekau (ʻIolani School 2016/US Naval Academy Prep School)
Tyler McGill (US Navy)
Brent Naito (Damien Memorial School 2017)
Gregory Robbeloth (US Marine Corps)
Peyton Sommer (Punahou School 2017)
Harlie Stone (Haleakalā Waldorf School 2017)

US Air Force Academy

Tessa Barbosa (Punahou School 2017)
Chloe Camello (Sacred Hearts Academy 2017)
Kaalakaiopono Faurot (Punahou 2017)
Bianca Gendreau (Le Jardin Academy 2017)
Trenton Kearney (Home School 2017)
Matthew Kop (Punahou School 2017)
Mark Meno (Moanalua High School 2017)
Caleb Soo Hoo (Baldwin High School 2017)
Charlotte Taylor (Kelakehe High School 2017)
Micah Vannatta (ʻAiea High School 2016/Northwest Prep)

US Coast Guard Academy

Adalea Severs (Radford 2017)

US Military Academy Preparatory School

Caleb Burnett (Damien Memorial School 2017)
Amadou Kone (Radford High School 2017)
Randy McKenzie (US Army)
Sean Michael (Mililani 2017)
Khoi Phan (US Army)
Anessa Ridley (Moanalua High School 2017)
Brandon Roy (US Army)

US Naval Academy Preparatory School

Brendon Brown (US Marine Corps)
Andreas Casillas (Radford High School 2017)
Saiaiga Fautunu (ʻIolani School 2017)
Ragan Leslie (Konawaena High School 2017)
Mark Marpaung (US Marine Corps)

US Air Force Academy Preparatory School

Quade Aiu (Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama 2017)
Lawrence Barrett (Konawaena High School 2017)
Farrel Ekau, Jr. (Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama 2017)
Kainoa Gnos (Le Jardin Academy 2017)
Nakoa Pauole (Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama 2017)

In addition to the competitive nature of acceptance into these academies, Members of Congress nominate candidates to the US Military Academy, US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy and US Merchant Marine Academy. These institutions prepare college-aged students to become officers of the US armed forces to continue their service to their nation.

The Hawaiʻi Military Affairs Council, part of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, acts on behalf of the state of Hawaiʻi to advocate and liaise with the military. As a major economic generator for the state, the MAC supports efforts that will preserve the military’s role as a strategic headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region. Comprised of business leaders and retired US military personnel, the organization also aims to bridge the military and the community, endorse the needs of Hawaiʻi-based military commands, and attract public-private ventures with the military.