1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor
United States Army
1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe
Nainoa graduated from Kamehameha Schools in Kailua, Oahu, in 1995 and was an Army ROTC graduate from the University of Hawaii. He was a person who understood what it meant to serve his country. In 1999, as a member of the 100th Battalion, Nainoa was selected as the Pacific Area's Army Reserve Soldier of the Year. Nainoa enjoyed karaoke and body surfing. Nainoa and his wife, Emily, were married in June 2004. He was killed on January 22, 2005.
Recipients
2022
Cadet Maria Jolina Benaza received the 2022 Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor. She is a Security Inspector at Global and in the United States Army Reserve. Maria is also continuing on receiving her college degree.
She is pictured here with Nainoa’s brother SFC Nakoa Hoe and USARPAC Commander GEN Charles Flynn at the presentation of the Scholarship on August 28, 2022.
2021
The 2021 Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor was presented last weekend in Hawaii on what would have been Nainoa's 44th birthday. Linus Seth Asher is pursuing his undergraduate degree in kinesiology & rehabilitation sciences with plans to graduate in the Spring 2022. Upon graduation, CDT Asher hopes to earn a commission as an Active Duty Medical Services Officer.
He is pictured here with Nainoa's dad, Allen.
2020
Malia McClung is active in the ROTC and the Hawaii Army National Guard Drill. She is pictured by a framed photo of Nainoa Hoe.
2019
Cadet Tafao attended Henry J. Kaiser High School and participated in the AFJROTC program for all four years. He graduated High School in 2018 and was awarded a three-year Army ROTC National Scholarship, alongside his twin brother.
He was accepted to the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2018 and began ROTC as an MSI Cadet. As a Freshman and MSI, CDT Tafao made it to the final Warrior Battalion Ranger Challenge Team and assisted in their success through all three RC events: Task Force West, Brigade, and Sandhurst.
He is pursued an undergraduate degree in kinesiology with and graduated in the Spring 2020. Upon graduation he hopes to earn a commission as an Active Duty Infantry Officer.
2018
Andrew Tokuda, graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2016 and was very active in the JROTC and was a ROTC Cadet in the University of Hawaii’s Army ROTC Warrior Battalion. Andrew has a remarkable record of academic as well as a cadet in Army ROTC programs.
He pursued a bachelor’s degree in global environmental sciences with the goal of serving as an Army environmental science officer in the Medical Service Corps. He was an active member of the UH Manoa’s Army ROTC Warrior Battalion, as an MS III cadet under the U.S. Army's Cadet Command.
2017
Vanna Nguyen received the Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor on what would have been Nainoa's 40th birthday. Vanna is a sophomore at the University of Hawaii, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with the goal of serving as a Veterinarian in the U.S. Army. She is pictured here with Nainoa's Dad, Allen.
2016
Ryan Twigg-Smith is a Junior at the University of Hawaii, at Manoa who is studying Geology with an emphasis in Environmental Earth Science. He is also an active member of the Army's ROTC Warrior Battalion, as an MS III cadet under the U.S. Army's Cadet Command.
2015
August 28th would have been Nainoa Hoe's 38th birthday. That day the 9th annual Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor was awarded to Cadet Florian Kanoho-Taong in Honolulu Hawaii.
Foundation board member, Major Tony Mitchell was there to participate in the event, along with 6 of Nainoa’s buddies and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
2014
A Junior at the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus, Cadet Eric Agluba pursued a degree in Microbiology. His goal was to earn a degree and commission in the Army’s Medical Service Corps and eventually to become an Army Physician.
Eric is pictured here (in white on right) with Nainoa's Dad, Allen and three past Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor recipients (back), 2011 James Mahoney, 2010 Haley Okamura & 2013 Finesi Taimasa
2013
Finesi Taimasa received the 7th annual Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor. Finesi Taimasa. Cadet Taimasa is studied at University of Hawaii at Manoa and majoredin Political Science. He is an avid learner who believes in fostering kindness towards others in the form of volunteering and helping others. He is pictured here with Nainoa's dad, Allen.
2012
Juvie Ignacio Varela received the 6th annual Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor. Juvie is a 2012 graduate of Kalaheo High School and earned the scholarship based upon her outstanding academic achievements and superior leadership performance as a member of the Kalahelo High School Naval Junior Resrve Officer Training Corps program.
2011
James Mahoney was awarded the 5th annual Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor. He is pictured here with Nainoa’s Dad, Allen Hoe and sponsor Ohelo Kaopio’s 14-year old son, Maverick who did a great job presenting the scholarship
2010
Haley Okamura was pursing a dream to be a high school history teacher after his service in the U.S. Army. He is pictured here with Allen Hoe, Nainoa's Dad.
2009
Mikael Torres attended the University of Hawaii in the Army ROTC Warrior Battalion.
2008
The 2008 Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor was awarded to Alexander Ladeira. Alexander enrolled in the ROTC program at the University of Hawaii.
2007
The 2007 Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor was awarded to Justin Sambueno (l) by Scholarship Sponsor Ohelo Kaopio (c). Nainoa's father, Allen Hoe (r) attended the presentation at the Army's Battle Command Training Center at Schofield Barracks. The center is named in honor of Nainoa.
2006
The 2006 Nainoa Hoe Scholarship of Honor was awarded to Ikaikaokalani Lowa. Pictured here with sponsor, Ohelo Kaopio.
Contributors
5 Star Endowment Contributors
Ohelo Kaopio
2 Star Contributors
Weyers Family Foundation
1 Star Contributors
Reginald V. Castanares, Jr., United Association Plumbers and Fitters Local 675
