Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Invests In Next Generation Of Tourism Leaders

For Immediate Release: September 12, 2025
HTA Release (25-15)

09-12-2025 HTA Announces Hooilina Awards 2025.pdf

HONOLULU - The Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) has announced the 2025 cohort of Ho'oilina Scholarship recipients, awarding four-year scholarships to seven public high school graduates, to study travel industry management at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Shidler College of Business.

Each recipient will receive approximately $12,000 annually for four years toward a bachelor's degree in Travel Industry Management.

Created in 2019 through a partnership between HTA, the Hawai'i State Legislature, UH Mānoa and the Hawai'i Lodging and Tourism Association, the Ho'oilina Scholarship aims to strengthen Hawai'i's visitor industry workforce by supporting local students with the passion and drive to become leaders in tourism and hospitality.

"Through the Ho'oilina Scholarship, we are investing in kama'āina talent who will help shape a visitor industry that is sustainable, innovative and rooted in Hawai'i's values," said Caroline Anderson, HTA interim president and CEO. "We are proud to support these students as they pursue their dreams and prepare to serve our community and economy."

The 2025 Ho'oilina Scholarship recipients are:

Erin Jorden Carlos, Mililani High School

Ho Yau Chan, President William McKinley High School

Samantha Citrawireja, H.P. Baldwin High School

Brandy Nguyen, Kapolei High School

Olivia Smith, Kapolei High School

Jorden Yamamura, Pearl City High School

Mason Yamane, Kailua High School

Awardees were selected based on academic excellence, leadership, community service and a demonstrated commitment to pursuing careers in Hawai'i's visitor industry. Many bring experience in hospitality internships, student government, cultural engagement and volunteer service, which are skills that will support their success in college and future careers.

HTA partners with the UH Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management to administer the scholarships and provide mentoring, networking and hands-on learning experiences with industry leaders.

For more information about the Ho'oilina Scholarship, visit https://shidler.hawaii.edu/tim/hooilina-scholarship.

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About the Hawai'i Tourism Authority

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is the state agency responsible for representing the Hawaiian Islands around the world - and for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with community desires, economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources and visitor industry needs. HTA works with the community and industry to mālama Hawaiʻi - care for our beloved home. For more information about HTA, visit hawaiitourismauthority.org or follow @HawaiiHTA on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and X.

High-resolution images are available here.