The , in partnership with and sponsor , has launched the 8th annual #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship competition—offering one full year of Hawaiʻi resident tuition (fall 2026 through spring 2027), made possible by 糖心Vlog官方 Federal Credit Union.

“At the University of Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, we believe education is a powerful pathway to financial well-being and long-term success,” said President and CEO Travis Bow. “Our roots and focus are tied to the University of Hawaiʻi, and we are dedicated to uplifting its students, employees, and their families with outstanding financial solutions and value. By supporting the #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship year after year since its inception, we demonstrate our commitment to making higher education more accessible for local families while strengthening our community for generations to come.”

The competition is open to Hawaiʻi residents who have been accepted and confirmed enrollment for the fall 2026 semester at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa as a first time freshman or transfer student. To enter, eligible students must submit a short video, no longer than 60 seconds on the at Hawaii News Now, explaining why 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is the right place for them or how a year of free tuition would impact their future. Only one entry per person per day is allowed.

“糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is a premier institution in academics, athletics, student support and research, so our undergraduate students will experience excellence,” said 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos. “The #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship is a great way to support their dreams while encouraging them to pursue a world-class education right here at home.”

The enter-to-win contest opened on April 6, 2026, and runs through Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Now in its eighth year, the contest continues to spotlight the dreams and determination of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 students.

Read more about previous winners:

• 2025 winner: #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship winner surprised by news crew
• 2024 winner: Kauaʻi HS senior surprised with free tuition in #TakeMeToM膩noa contest
• 2023 winner: Amid tears, cheers, HS senior鈥檚 video vision wins 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa tuition
• Meet more #TakeMeToM膩noa winners

The contest reflects a broader mission to keep Hawaiʻi鈥檚 students learning and thriving close to home. With nearly 100 undergraduate majors and a global reputation for academic excellence, the university remains a top choice for students looking to build a future rooted in the islands.

For the Moanalua High School senior class of 2025, Thursday, May 22, appeared to be another morning of rehearsal for their upcoming graduation ceremony. There was an additional surprise for one special student heading to the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补.

Maiya Sugimoto entered the #TakeMeToM膩noa social media contest hosted by Hawaiʻi News Now (HNN). Out of the dozens of entries, Sugimoto was chosen to win a free year of tuition at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, courtesy of 糖心Vlog官方 Federal Credit Union (糖心Vlog官方FCU). The online contest, which was open to incoming fall 2025 Hawaiʻi freshmen and transfer students, asked entrants to explain why 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is the right college or how a year of free tuition could help them.

Hawaiʻi News Now reporter Casey Lund made the surprise announcement to the group of seniors. Sugimoto was visibly surprised when her name was called.

“It’s still shocking to me, to be honest,” Sugimoto said. “I’d like to thank my family and friends for always supporting me, and especially my teachers.”

Sugimoto was handed a giant check to commemorate the scholarship by 糖心Vlog官方FCU Jason Lippert and covered in lei by her parents and 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Associate Director of Admissions Shauna Pimentel-Motooka.

“We love this day,” 糖心Vlog官方FCU Vice President of Member Experience Lippert said. “糖心Vlog官方FCU is happy to support our students and truly being at this scholarship event each year is one of the best moments we participate in. Maiya had such a great video explaining why she is going to 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补. We can鈥檛 wait to see what she will accomplish.”

“Maiya鈥檚 video really captured our hearts and definitely showed the kind of students we hope to attract,” Pimentel-Motooka said. “She is so motivated. We look forward to her joining our 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa ʻohana.”

Sugimoto also recently earned her associates degree in liberal arts from Honolulu Community College鈥檚 Early College program before she earned her high school diploma.

“I’m gonna be studying business marketing and digital design, so I’ll double major in the two,” Sugimoto said of her journey continuing at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

糖心Vlog官方FCU has sponsored the #TakeMeToM膩noa contest for seven years, surprising recipients with HNN since 2018. Read more about previous winners.

In Kauaʻi High School senior Via Javinar鈥檚 video entry for the 2024 #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship contest, she expressed her love for the Hawaiʻi community and her determination to show that there are no limitations to the place that you live. While her dreams can be achieved anywhere, she believes the perfect place to further her education is at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补.

Javinar鈥檚 #TakeMeToM膩noa scholarship contest win was unveiled live on television during her graduation rehearsal. 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Associate Director of Admissions Shauna Pimentel-Motooka and (HNN) Anchor Dillon Ancheta surprised her with the news that she would be receiving a free year of tuition for 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, funded by (糖心Vlog官方FCU).

“This is very surreal. I鈥檓 just really, really excited and happy,” said Javinar. “Hawaiʻi is my home. Leaving this place, I knew it would be hard for me, and that鈥檚 why I decided on (attending) 惭腻苍辞补.”

Javinar received a large check, lei and gifts as her mother, Hilda, brothers Vincent and Vernon, and grandmother surrounded her during the announcement. Her classmates, teachers and administrators filled the Kauaʻi High School gym with cheers as they celebrated her scholarship win.

At 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, Javinar plans to pursue .

Meet previous #TakeMeToM膩noa winners

“It is so exciting for us to provide a scholarship that will support Via at the start of her college journey,” said 糖心Vlog官方FCU President and CEO Travis Bow. “We proudly invest in students and their education as they become the future leaders and innovators of our community. We wish Via nothing but the best on her academic journey!”

“We were very impressed with Via’s ability to convey such a powerful message in a 60-second video,” said Pimentel-Motooka. “I was honored to present Via with her scholarship yesterday. The surprise, happiness and gratitude that Via and her family expressed were very touching. She exhibits both academic and creative strengths and we are very excited for the bright future that she has ahead of her at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补.”

糖心Vlog官方FCU has sponsored the #TakeMeToM膩noa contest for six years, surprising recipients with HNN since 2018. Read more about previous winners.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in partnership with Hawaiʻi News Now (HNN) kicked off the 6th annual scholarship contest #TakeMetoMānoa on March 4, for all Hawaiʻi high school seniors and transfer students. The winner receives one year of 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa tuition paid for by contest sponsor 糖心Vlog官方 Federal Credit Union.

Students submit a 60–second video of why 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa is the right place for them and how the free tuition will impact their life. .

“The word has been getting around. We鈥檝e become one of the ‘it’ schools,” 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno said on the Sunrise morning show on HNN. “The programs resonate with students. They鈥檙e important. There are jobs here in Hawaiʻi for them, so we want the local kids to seriously consider coming. Right here at home you have one of the top universities in the world.”

“The University of Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union recognizes 糖心Vlog官方 and higher education’s vital role in our community,” said 糖心Vlog官方FCU President and CEO Travis Bow. “We were founded in 1955 by a team of 糖心Vlog官方 staff and professors who recognized the importance of not-for-profit banking and ‘people helping people’ philosophy, so we鈥檙e always excited to be part of helping to lift the future of our Hawaiʻi.”

Read about the previous winners:

• Amid tears, cheers, HS senior鈥檚 video vision wins 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa tuition, May 18, 2023
• Wailuku student weaves storytelling, culture to win free tuition, May 24, 2022
• Maui student Hezekiah Kapuaala creates way to free tuition in #TakeMeToManoa contest, May 24, 2021
• ʻAiea student Kylie Charice Alarcon scores free year of tuition in #MakeManoaYours contest, May 22, 2020
• Kaiser student Megan Kaneshiro wins 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa tuition in #MakeManoaYours contest, May 24, 2019

Prospective students are encouraged to and to confirm their enrollment by May 1, if they have already received an acceptance letter.

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa offers a choice of 98 majors, 88 graduate majors, 52 doctoral degrees and five first professional degrees. The campus is a globally recognized center of learning and research, is consistently ranked among the top 2% of universities in the world, and aims to create a stronger, sustainable future and make a difference at home and worldwide.

Incoming University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa freshman Carly Miyamoto will graduate from Pearl City High School on May 20, at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center as the president of the National Honor Society. At her graduation rehearsal, she and her parents were surprised to learn Miyamoto earned a free year of tuition thanks to her entry in the #TakeMeToMānoa contest funded by (FCU) and hosted by (HNN).

HNN Sunrise host Billy V broke the news to Miyamoto in front of her classmates at the Michael Nakasone Auditorium. They watched on a huge screen as her one-minute winning video of why she is going to 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa played.

Her classmates, teachers and administrators cheered as Billy V announced the award and representatives from 糖心Vlog官方FCU and 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa provided her with a giant check, lei and gifts.

Miyamoto鈥檚 parents also surprised her as they were called up on stage to celebrate with her. Mother and daughter cried tears of joy while others congratulated the family.

“As soon as I saw the video I knew immediately and I started tearing up already,” Miyamoto said. “It was just unbelievable.”

She said she was able to weave clips from other videos she had filmed in the past few years with additional footage she recorded at Mānoa and elsewhere. When she was done she had created a video tapestry of her life leading up to her choosing 糖心Vlog官方.

Miyamoto is admitted for the marketing track at the 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa . Her passion for filmmaking also has her looking at other possible areas to grow as well.

Meet more #TakeMeToM膩noa winners

“With the scholarship, I’m so happy because I get to give back to my parents for all that they have given me throughout my life and I鈥檓 extremely grateful,” Miyamoto said.

糖心Vlog官方FCU has sponsored the tuition giveaway for five years. They have partnered with HNN to surprise students since 2018.

“We are thrilled to extend a scholarship to Carly, a highly deserving student embarking on their college journey,” remarked 糖心Vlog官方FCU President and CEO Travis Bow. “These opportunities fill us with immense pride and excitement each year as they allow us to invest in talented individuals and contribute toward our community’s future growth and prosperity. Education is the key that unlocks doors to limitless possibilities, and by supporting this student’s academic aspirations, we are fostering a brighter tomorrow. We wish Carly nothing but the best on the journey ahead!”

The 2023 #TakeMeToManoa scholarship contest has opened for all Hawaiʻi high school seniors and transfer students. The winner receives a year of free tuition at one of the best universities in the world, the .

The social media contest hosted by runs from March 13 to April 9. To enter, upload a 60-second video explaining why 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is the right university for you and the impact a year of free tuition, courtesy of the , will have on your life. .

The 2022 #TakeMeToManoa winner, Kamehameha Schools Maui graduate Nanea Ah You, focused her video entry on how the scholarship would help further her dreams as a k膩naka Hawaiʻi storyteller and filmmaker.

Read more about Ah You.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity this partnership with 糖心Vlog官方 Federal Credit Union and Hawaii News Now presents for the next generation of Rainbow Warriors,” said 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Provost Michael Bruno. “We look forward to supporting our new students and can鈥檛 wait to provide them with a world-class education that will open doors to meaningful, impactful careers.”

Read more about previous scholarship recipients:

• Maui student Hezekiah Kapuaala creates way to free tuition in #TakeMeToManoa contest, May 24, 2021
• ʻAiea student Kylie Charice Alarcon scores free year of tuition in #MakeManoaYours contest, May 22, 2020
• Kaiser student Megan Kaneshiro wins 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa tuition in #MakeManoaYours contest, May 24, 2019

Prospective students are encouraged to apply for fall 2023 and to confirm their enrollment by May 1, if they have already received an acceptance letter.

糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa offers a choice of 98 majors, 88 graduate majors, 52 doctoral degrees and five first professional degrees. The campus is a globally recognized center of learning and research, is consistently ranked among the top 2% of universities in the world, and aims to create a stronger, sustainable future and make a worldwide difference.

Kamehameha Schools Maui senior and salutatorian Nanea Ah You is shooting for the stars, and the place she wants to do it at is the .

On the premise of being interviewed by reporter Chelsea Davis about her award-winning video in the ʻŌlelo Community Media Youth Xchange Student Video Competition, Ah You excitedly shared how she hopes to use storytelling to cultivate her culture. The interview took a different turn when Ah You was told that she was named the winner of the #TakeMeToManoa social media contest hosted by .

糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa admissions counselor Jose Magno, Kamehameha Schools teachers and staff presented the visibly stunned student and her parents with a giant check for a year of free tuition at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, courtesy of the (糖心Vlog官方FCU).

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Thank you!” said Ah You with tears in her eyes.

“Each spring for the past four years, the #TakeMeToManoa social media contest has allowed our campus to connect with the local community in a very thoughtful, engaging, and authentic way,” said 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Provost Michael Bruno. “Nanea is an incredible visual storyteller, with an enormous amount of talent. Beyond a voice for herself, she is a voice for her community. We are honored and privileged to have Nanea驶s academic journey continue here at 惭腻苍辞补.”

“Since 1955, we’ve been committed to helping members and our community thrive. To honor that promise, we’re excited to partner with the University of Hawaiʻi to offer scholarship programs like the #TakeMeToManoa social media contest that support students and the future well-being of our communities,” said 糖心Vlog官方FCU President and CEO Travis Bow. “We recognize the financial challenge and sacrifices a family and student must make to complete a degree, and we are proud to play a part in helping them reach their academic goals.”

The online contest, which was open to incoming fall 2022 Hawaiʻi freshmen and transfer students, asked entrants to upload a short video explaining why 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is the right college for them, and the impact a year of free tuition will have on their life.

touched upon how winning this contest will enable her to go farther in pursuing her dreams as a filmmaker and use her talent to shine the spotlight upon her l膩hui.

“When I see my future at M膩noa, I see myself thriving at what I love to do while also remaining close with the ʻāina and its k膩naka,” said Ah You. “I know that this school will help me do my part as a k膩naka Hawaiʻi by sharing the stories that take place amongst my home.”

Ah You cannot wait to start her 糖心Vlog官方M-azing journey at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

This work is an example of 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

#TakeMeToManoa, a multi-media recruitment campaign, is again encouraging Hawaiʻi high school seniors, their families and all prospective local students to consider attending 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa. A globally recognized center of learning and research, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa is consistently ranked among the top 1% of universities in the world, and aims to create a stronger, sustainable future and make a difference locally and globally.

Launched in 2019, the campaign has provided scholarships to three local incoming freshmen.

#TakeMeToManoa scholarship contest

will run an exclusive #TakeMeToManoa social media contest from March 1–31. The contest is open to local, incoming fall 2022 freshmen and transfer students.

To enter, upload a video, no longer than 60 seconds, explaining why 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa is the right university for you and the impact a year of free tuition, courtesy of the , will have on your life.

For more details, .

“We are so proud of this partnership, and we are excited to welcome the next class of 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Rainbow Warriors,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno. “A 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa degree opens doors to fulfilling careers, and we look forward to supporting our new students as they take their first steps on this journey of discovery and learning.”

Campaign winners

• Maui student Hezekiah Kapuaala creates way to free tuition in #TakeMeToManoa contest, May 24, 2021
• ʻAiea student Kylie Charice Alarcon scores free year of tuition in #MakeManoaYours contest, May 22, 2020
• Kaiser student Megan Kaneshiro wins 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa tuition in #MakeManoaYours contest, May 24, 2019

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa offers a choice of 99 majors, 87 graduate majors, 52 doctoral degrees and five first professional degrees.

The #TakeMeToManoa campaign includes 30-second ads that will air on social media, digital platforms, local television and statewide radio. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for fall 2022 and to confirm their enrollment by May 1, if they have already received an acceptance letter.

This work is an example of 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

Navigating his senior year during a pandemic might not have been ideal, but one thing Kamehameha Schools Maui senior Hezekiah Kapuaala knows for sure is that he wants to continue his journey as a creator of videos at the this fall.

Ready to share his thoughts on graduating from high school and transitioning into college in the midst of the pandemic, Kapuaala鈥檚 interview took a different turn when reporter Billy V announced that he was named the winner of the #TakeMeToManoa social media contest hosted by Hawaii News Now. Kamehameha Schools teachers and staff presented the shocked and stunned student and his parents with a giant check for a year of free tuition at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, courtesy of the (糖心Vlog官方FCU).

“Oh my gosh! This was unexpected, thank you very much,” said a speechless Kapuaala. “I’m really excited for college because it’s basically my step into the beginning of a new life for me.”

Standing by in the Hawaii News Now studio to virtually congratulate Kapuaala was Ryan Yamaguchi, 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa interim assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management and director of admissions, and 糖心Vlog官方FCU Vice President-Member Experience Stacey Robinol.

“We are excited for Hezekiah and honored to be a part of his academic journey. He has incredible talent and will go far! This contest not only allowed us to connect with community partners, but it provided a fun, engaging and thoughtful way to connect with our students, offering an 糖心Vlog官方M-azing opportunity for a local Rainbow Warrior,” said Yamaguchi. “We couldn鈥檛 be more proud and thrilled for Hezekiah and his ʻohana!”

“We are proud to be a part of this wonderful program which brings 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa and us together to support the University of Hawaiʻi. Fostering the educational goals of students through the tuition contest serves as an important foundation of the community we serve,” explained 糖心Vlog官方FCU President and CEO Travis Bow. “Hezekiah is a highly talented young man, and we are honored to assist in his pursuit of higher education. The accomplishments and enthusiasm of all of the students who applied for the #TakeMeToManoa social media contest are inspiring and give us reason to feel optimistic about the next generation of local leaders.”

The online contest, which was open to incoming fall 2021 Hawaiʻi freshmen, asked entrants to upload a short video explaining why 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is the right college or how a year of free tuition could help them.

touched upon how winning will help finance his education and prepare him for his future, and how 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa will enable him to get closer to pursuing and living his passion of being a video creator. He jumped at the chance to enter the contest, seeing it as an opportunity to prove his potential and show 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa the countless number of hours and hard work he has already put into this craft.

“I feel that this institution against all others will help me on my path to become a great video creator,” said Kapuaala.

Kapuaala intends to pursue a degree in creative media and cannot wait to get to 惭腻苍辞补.

In a time when many high school seniors are navigating uncertainty, one thing ʻAiea High School senior and valedictorian Kylie Charice Alarcon knows for sure is that she is committed to pursuing her higher education at the this fall.

In a social distance drive thru event capping off her unpredictable senior year, Alarcon not only picked up her diploma on May 21, but also received a giant check for a year of free tuition at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa courtesy of (糖心Vlog官方FCU). Alarcon, donned in her white and green cap and gown, was shocked to learn she was named the winner of a 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa social media contest she entered hosted by .

糖心Vlog官方FCU Vice President-Member Experience Stacey Robinol presented Alarcon with the large check along with 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa Provost Michael Bruno.

“I am very surprised! I was telling my parents when we came in ‘This is so embarrassing because we are here so early!’ So it鈥檚 a nice surprise,” remarked Alarcon. “It鈥檚 always been my dream to go to 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa because of course I鈥檓 going to be at home, but also because everybody shares aloha there. I鈥檝e been to M膩noa so many times and I enjoy just being on campus.”

“We are thrilled to have an outstanding student like Kylie join us. I know she鈥檚 very excited and her family is very excited,” said Bruno. “Particularly at this time, to have more of our students stay at home, come to 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, one of the world鈥檚 greatest research universities and learn with us, is just really inspiring.”

“We are honored to support Kylie, who is already an exceptional student and community member, as she moves on to the next level in her education, particularly during this challenging time,” said Robinol. “We received a number of outstanding submissions, which were inspiring to all of us. As a credit union founded to serve the education community, we wish Kylie the best of luck in her college career and look forward to her further blossoming into one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 next generation of leaders.”

The online contest, which was open to incoming fall 2020 freshmen, asked entrants to upload a photo or video that reflected how they made the University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa “yours.”

A new chapter

It鈥檚 always been my dream to go to 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa because of course I鈥檓 going to be at home, but also because everybody shares aloha there.
—Alarcon

focused on how her goals and vision for her future coincides with 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 motto, “Above all nations is humanity.” Her enthusiasm to embark on a new chapter at 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa is fueled by her motivation to continue on her journey of self-discovery and greater purpose knowing that her talent, passion and community service will be embraced and cultivated at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补.

“Right now with this pandemic going on, it鈥檚 unfortunate I didn鈥檛 get to experience my last few months in high school, but I鈥檓 really looking forward to college and making new friends, becoming more independent and majoring in psychology,” said Alarcon.

Alarcon received a lot of interest from mainland schools but was only interested in attending 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa, her father said.

So Kylie will be able to keep her green and white colors of ʻAiea for the green and white of 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa where she will pursue a degree in psychology.