This year's Recipient

71st Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Emily Mieko Johnson

“With my sincerest gratitude, thank you Dr. Scott Oishi for awarding me the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship.  Participating in the Cherry Blossom Festival has been a humbling and rewarding experience, and receiving this scholarship emphasizes that further by having the honor to perpetuate Ms. Violet Niimi Oishi’s values of lifelong advancement and education. 

Supported by this scholarship, I am actively working towards continuing my personal, professional, and civic development through two opportunities: one, advancing my technical skills within my career of information technology by working towards Cisco’s Certified Network Associate certification; and two, deepening my communication, leadership, and complex problem-solving skills through Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance. 

As a Client Director for a digital company, it is not expected of me to pursue a technical certification; however, as a female in a male dominated industry, equipping myself with knowledge builds my confidence and competency in IT and deepens my credibility, which overall strengthens my career.  In addition, with plans to apply for the Patsy T. Mink Leadership Alliance, this will be an opportunity to enhance a growth mindset and learn from other women leaders. Ultimately, participating in an all-female cohort allows for sharing of resources that is imperative not only to my success, but also the advancement of other women in our community. 

I am very much obliged for this contribution towards one of the greatest gifts I can receive, which is the continuation of education. Thank you, again, for the possibility to partake in keeping the legacy of Ms. Violet Niimi Oishi alive.”

70th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Tamlyn Mika Sasaki

“My journey in medicine began at 17 years old when my mother’s victorious breast cancer battle taught me that a physician’s impact does not end with their patient, but extends to their patient’s loved ones and communities. From then on, I became determined to pay forward the actions of those who supported my family by serving as a physician who provides the people of Hawai’i with comfort and security during their most vulnerable times. As a first-year medical student at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, I am proud to say that I am now one step closer to my goal.

Thank you, Dr. Oishi, for entrusting me with the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship, and for your continued support of the Cherry Blossom Festival. By helping to relieve my financial burden, I can focus on becoming the best physician I can be. I feel incredibly honored to carry on Ms. Violet Niimi’s legacy by using this scholarship to advance in my career of service, lifelong learning, and community empowerment. Currently, I am aiming to become a clinician and medical educator for Hawai’i so I can give back to the home that has gifted me with so much. This scholarship will not only be an investment in my education, but also the health and well-being of our future generations.”

69th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Krista Ann Kam Oi Mayumi Lee

“My love for animals stemmed from a young age. In pre-school, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I immediately exclaimed, "A veterinarian". Twenty-one years later, I achieved my dream. Even after two years of working as a general practice veterinarian, my love for serving cats and dogs never faded, but I knew that I wanted something more. Upon receiving the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship, it gave me newfound courage to pursue a new direction in my career I would have never thought possible. Therefore, recently I have started working as a Veterinary Medical Officer for the State of Hawaii, specifically in the Aquatics Unit. This position has cultivated my belief in creating a more sustainable future for Hawaii’s food industry, increased my efforts towards preserving our precious ecosystems, and inspired me to pursue becoming a Certified Aquatics Veterinarian.

As I explore this new avenue in my career and further education, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship. Thank you, Dr. Scott Oishi, for selecting me as the 69th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee. What an honor to be a part of her legacy and group of incredibly talented women! The Cherry Blossom Festival Contestant experience has given me countless opportunities to become educated about my rich culture and Japanese heritage. Now, I integrate the wisdom handed down from my family, the lessons provided by the Cherry Blossom Festival mentors, and my current passion for Hawaii’s sustainability. My kibou, or hope, is to inspire my community to work towards a better future and to give back through education about sustainability and agriculture.

68th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Jewel Kahiwalani Miyuki Mahoe

“Teaching has always been my dream. I couldn’t imagine any other profession would bring the same joy and fulfillment. Now that I have been teaching for a year and a half, I am confident that education is the path that I was made to walk. The population of students I teach overcomes many challenges, but each student amazes me with his/her uniqueness and unfailing love for learning. My class of preschool special education students truly embodies kaizen, or continuous improvement and inspires me to live the same way by growing personally and professionally.

As I pursue my doctorate degree in Learning Design and Technology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, I will continue to encourage volunteerism and develop well-rounded students while I build my skills in technology and learning design, so that in the future, I may achieve my goal of serving the community by supporting online learning. I am incredibly honored to have been selected to receive the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship and am grateful to be able to continue my education with the support and generosity of Dr. Scott Oishi. During these uncertain times, I hope to share my passion for the Japanese culture, perpetuate the legacy of Violet Niimi Oishi, and contribute to education and service in Hawai‘i.”

67th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee        Kayla Ueshiro

“It has been an honor to be selected at the 2019 Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship recipient.  As a young girl, I remember fantasizing about being a teacher and playing this game with my sister called “Teacher, Teacher.”  I would line up my stuffed animals and teach them anything from adding 1+1 to reading The Giving Tree.  As a Kindergarten teacher, I can now say that I am living my childhood dream!  

It is everyday that I have the privilege to teach, challenge, and empower our future.  Likewise, the inquisitive, kind, and creative students that I have the opportunity to educate inspire me to continuously improve to be the best version of myself.  Through my experience in the 67th Cherry Blossom Festival, I developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for my Japanese heritage, made lifelong friends, and continued to share my passion for service.  While my time as queen contestant and court member has come to an end, I want to continue to seek opportunities to zenshin or progress.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Scott Oishi for his generosity and continuous support of the Cherry Blossom Festival.  I plan to use the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship to apply to graduate school where I plan to focus on the social and cultural contexts of education.  The Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Award support my dedication to and passion for education by providing me the opportunity to learn how to empower my students to develop the mindset that their voices and cultural backgrounds matter.  I look forward to being able to perpetuate the legacy of service and education.  

66th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee        Colette Masunaga

"As the daughter of a coffee farmer from South Kona on Hawaiʻi Island and a graduate of Konawaena High School, I am proud of my public education. It provided me with a strong academic foundation and the opportunity to succeed as an undergraduate at the University of California, Davis and now as a graduate student.  Such opportunity is invaluable, and as a beneficiary of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship, I have been able to enrich my academic experiences and further challenge myself to succeed through education. As I pursue my Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi, Shidler College of Business, I am humbled and grateful for the support of Dr. Scott Oishi and the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship, which continues to perpetuate a legacy of educational excellence and community service within the Cherry Blossom Festival."

65th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee Heather Omori

"Since I was a little girl, my parents taught me the value of education. From graduating with my bachelor’s degree in psychology and earning my masters degree in elementary education, I have always seen the importance and benefits of going to school. With the help of Dr. Scott Oishi and the Violet Niimi Oishi scholarship, I can continue to gain new tools by getting a National Board Certification to improve my teaching practice, and I am thankful and grateful for the support in furthering my education. As an educator, I strive to inspire my students to stay in school and pursue a career in a field that they will love and use to help others.  The theme for the 65th Cherry Blossom festival, “Kokoro,” heart, mind, and spirit, embodies Dr. Scott Oishi’s kindness and support for the Cherry Blossom Festival and young women who aspire to further their education."

64th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Amanda Youth

"The theme of the 64th Cherry Blossom Festival, “Kansha” or gratitude, truly describes the feeling I experienced as the 2016 Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship recipient.  This award allows me to continue my education beyond the confines of a classroom.  After earning my Masters in Social Work, I began working as a substance abuse counselor, where I am working towards becoming a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  This continued learning provides me with the opportunity to actively engage the population I work with and better serve my community.  I am very grateful for Dr. Scott Oishi’s generosity and continued support that enables me to perpetuate Violet Niimi Oishi’s legacy as a life-long learner."

63rd Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Heather Miura

"The themes for the 63rd and 64th Cherry Blossom Festivals, Mirai e no Kakehashi, Building Bridges for the Future, and Kansha, Gratitude, perfectly describe my experience as the Violet Niimi Scholarship recipient this past year. I cannot even begin to express in words my gratitude for Dr. Scott Oishi’s endless generosity and for his continued support of the Festival, helping the young professional women that participate each year achieve their goals of higher education in his mother’s memory. As an aspiring physician who hopes to one day practice in Hawaii, I have just completed the process of applying for and interviewing with medical schools. Thanks to Dr. Oishi and the Violet Niimi Scholarship, I am one step closer to realizing my dream to attend the John A. Burns School of Medicine and becoming a medical student in a state that celebrates the many cultures that coexist here, my home. I hope to one day build a bridge for the future and show my gratitude for Dr. Oishi's generosity by paying it forward and making it my mission as a practicing physician to offer available and affordable healthcare to the underserved communities of Hawaii."

62nd Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Alysha Tanabe

"It has been such an honor to be the recipient of the 2014 Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Award. This opportunity will allow me to pursue my dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. Through the 62nd Cherry Blossom Festival theme, Issho Ni or "together," I have seen first hand how working "together" makes anything possible. This award has inspired me to become on the many helping hands to make a positive impact in the world. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant has really made an impact on my life and inspired my desire to make a difference and lend a helping hand. I am so grateful fo Dr. Scott Oishi for his continued generosity and support of the Violet Nimii Oishi Scholarship program."

61st Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Leila Mitsunaga

"As the 2013 recipient of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship, I am grateful for the opportunities this award has offered me.  With the support of the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Program, I have started my graduate studies in the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program at the Hawaii School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.  As I pursue my dream of becoming a clinical child psychologist, my goal is to extend support to children and families who might need a helping hand.  Through the 61st Cherry Blossom Festival theme of Laulima, I have learned the power and possibility of “many hands working together” and I hope to inspire this spirit in others by giving back to the community.  I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Scott Oishi for his continued generosity in helping young women to further their education and pursue their passion.  I am honored and humbled to receive the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship because it embodies the spirit of Laulima and perpetuates the value of giving back."

60th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Cari Tasoe

59th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Janelle Ando

"It has been an honor to have been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Award. Improving the quality of life for my patients has been the primary focus of my practice as a hospice and palliative care nurse. This award has enabled me to continue acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the best possible care for my patients by continuing my postgraduate education. It ha also enabled me to perpetuate last year's theme of "Okage Sama De," or "I am who I am because of you," by using this acquired knowledge to care for the people within my community. I would not be who I am today without the guidance, opportunities and support received from others. I would like to thank Dr. Scott Osihi for his inspiring generosity and this opportunity provided by his continued support of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship program." 

58th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Michelle Fujii

"It was truly an honor to be the recipient of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Award. It is my dream to help Hawaii have a stronger and more sustainable community and I believe that will be achieved by empowering the children of Hawaii.  Knowledge is power, and through the generosity of Dr. Scott Oishi, I am grateful to have the opportunity to further my education and obtain my Master’s degree."

57th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Kristine Wada

"Through the generosity of Dr. Scott Oishi, I will pursue my Master's degree in English literature at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Books have always played an important role in my life, and I look forward to sharing my love of the written word with others through education and through one day publishing a novel of my own."

56th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Keri Haitsuka

"As a second grade student at Heeia Elementary School, I aspired to become an elementary school teacher. Since then, I have returned to my alma mater to teach first grade in my very own classroom. As an educator, I strongly believe in being a life-long learner and empowering students to become life-long learners as well. Although I thought my dream had truly been fulfilled, my passion for education did not end there. The Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Award has given me the opportunity to continue my education. I intend to attain my Masters of Education Degree in Curriculum Studies at the University of Hawaii. I now live each day knowing that dreams are possible. With Dr. Scott Oishi's tremendous generosity and continued support of the Cherry Blossom Festival, I am excited to continue living out my dream."

55th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Melissa Fujimoto

"It was an honor to be the recipient of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Award in 2007. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Scott Oishi for his generosity and continuous support of the Cherry Blossom Festival. As a student in the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa this scholarship has helped me pursue my goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. I am looking forward to my graduation in Spring 2008 and to pursuing my master's degree in curriculum studies. As a future teacher, I feel that my experience in the Cherry Blossom Festival will enable me to encourage my students to embrace their cultural identity and help them understand the importance of community service."

54th Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Darcie Shiinoki

53rd Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Brandi-Lyn Yasuoka

"The meaning and value of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship deepens as my involvement with the Cherry Blossom Festival and court grows. As the 2005 recipient of the scholarship, I want to publicly thank Dr. Oishi for his commitment and dedication to his mother, this festival, and philanthropy. As I stood on stage last March at Festival Ball, the words of my speech came out from the deepest part of me as I recounted how my mom and donors to educational institutions made sacrifices that opened a world of opportunities. Philanthropists have had an immeasurable impact on my life, and Dr. Oishi is one of those people.

At the conclusion of our reign as 53rd Cherry Blossom Festival Court, I will be using the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship to do volunteer work in the developing world. I am currently seeking opportunities to assist nonprofit and non-governmental organizations in their efforts to increase access to education and health care for the world's poorest children and secure human rights for women. Through my experience in the developing world and my own work with nonprofit organizations in Hawaii, I will begin research for graduate school where I plan on focusing on improving efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations.

I am particularly grateful and proud to have received the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship because it allows me to expand on the incredible experiences I had as a contestant and court member. The volunteer work that this scholarship enables me to do will forever become linked with the Cherry Blossom Festival and all it means to me - charity, goodwill, hospitality, and heritage."

52nd Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Roberta Arakawa

51st Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Leah Nakamura

"Participating in the Cherry Blossom Festival ranks as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The pinnacle of my experience was receiving the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship. I feel both honored and blessed to be the second recipient of this scholarship. This scholarship, provided through the generosity of Dr. Scott Oishi in honor of his mother, Violet Niimi Oishi, has helped me pursue my goal of becoming a doctor of medicine. I am currently enrolled at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa. My education will provide me with the training and foundation I need in order to become a primary care physician. I hope that one day I will be able to give back to the community of Hawaii through my services as a physician."