Washington, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) today announced his nominations to the United States service academies for the class entering July 2004.
The competitive system of nomination is used. This procedure allows all nominees to compete on an equal basis. In this system, the final selection for appointment will be made by the respective academy's academic board. (For each vacancy, up to 10 candidates can be nominated.) The nominee selected for appointment will be that person whose all-around performance indicates the greatest likelihood of success as a career officer.
The students were selected on the basis of their academic achievement, test scores, character references, physical fitness, goals and motivation, and leadership ability.
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
- Ronald Belany, Maui High School, son of Ronald and Sherre Belany of Haiku, Maui.
- Victor Chan, Iolani School, son of Philip and Salina Chan of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Erik Clemson, Mililani High School, son of James and Myrna Clemson of Mililani, Oahu.
- Matthew Kasaoka, Mililani High School, son of John and Linda Kasaoka of Mililani, Oahu.
- Nicholas Zieser, Damien Memorial High School, son of Michael and Sheila Zieser of Honolulu, Oahu.
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY
- Jason Busher, Waianae High School, son of Lanny and Marianne Busher of Waianae, Oahu.
- Collin Furukawa, Hanalani Schools, son of Karl and Karen Furukawa of Wahiawa, Oahu.
- Thomas Kai, Hilo High School, son of Alan and Marlene Tamashiro of Hilo, Hawaii.
- Matthew Kasaoka, Mililani High School, son of John and Linda Kasaoka of Mililani, Oahu.
- Marissa Kobayashi, Pearl City High School, daughter of Randolph and Florecita Kobayashi of Waipahu, Oahu.
- Jose Neto, Kalaheo High School, son of Carmen Pauline of Kailua, Oahu.
- Tyson Seto-Mook, Kaimuki High School, Honolulu, Oahu.
- Michael Tanaka, Punahou School, son of Robert and April Tanaka of Honolulu, Oahu.
- James Tyacke, Moanalua High School, son of Emery and Lorraine Tyacke of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Jin-Kyong Yu, Moanalua High School, daughter of Tae Yol and Sung Ja Yu of Honolulu, Oahu.
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
- Antone Aku, Campbell High School, son of Howard and Deborah McKeone of Ewa Beach, Oahu.
- Peter Beamer, Kalaheo High School, son of Peter and Carolyn Beamer of Kailua, Oahu.
- Ronald Belany, Maui High School, son of Ronald and Sherre Belany of Haiku, Maui.
- Victor Chan, Iolani School, son of Philip and Salina Chan of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Erik Clemson, Mililani High School, son of James and Myrna Clemson of Mililani, Oahu.
- Don Downing, Moanalua High School, son of Don and Susana Downing of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Christopher Freshour, Mid-Pacific Institute, son of Richard and Beate Freshour of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Jamie Fujimoto, Punahou School, son of Benjamin and Laura Fujimoto of Aiea, Oahu.
- David Hayashida, Kamehameha Schools, son of Roy and Vallarie Hayashida of Kapolei, Oahu.
- Ryan Hodges, Kalaheo High School, son of Charles and Helene Hodges of Kailua, Oahu.
- Ryan Kelly, Kalaheo High School, son of Leslie and Sheri Kelly of Kailua, Oahu.
- Christopher Kutsunai, Kealakehe High School, son of Clyde and Jeannie Kutsunai of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
- Raymond LaFleur, Mid-Pacific Institute, son of Robert and MariaTeresa LaFleur of Kailua, Oahu.
- Karl Motoyama, Iolani School, son of Karl and Elizabeth-Ann Motoyama of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Anson Park, Hawaii Baptist Academy, son of Andrew Park and Robin Wong of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Peter Van Lier Ribbink, Iolani School, son of Edward and Laura Van Lier Ribbink of Kaneohe, Oahu.
- Jose Ver, Educational Laboratory School, son of Wyrlo and Agnes Ver of Pearl City, Oahu.
- Joon Sung Yoo, BOOST, son of Kyung Yeol Yoo of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Nicholas Zieser, Damien Memorial High School, son of Michael and Sheila Zieser of Honolulu, Oahu.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
- Amani Evensen, Lutheran High School, son of George and Elizabeth Evensen of Kapolei, Oahu.
- Edward Goodhue, Molokai High School, son of Edward and Susan Goodhue of Kaunakakai, Molokai.
- Nicky Hamayasu, Punahou School, daughter of Kenneth and Jo Ann Hamayasu of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Eryn Johnston, Punahou School, daughter of James and Meiling Johnston of Kaneohe, Oahu.
- Casey Kawaguchi, Lahainaluna High School, son of Alan and Geraldine Kawaguchi of Lahaina, Maui.
- Bridget Manupule, Roosevelt High School, daughter of Solomone and Frances Manupule of Honolulu, Oahu.
- Joshua Newman, Koolau Baptist Academy, son of Timothy and Kathleen Newman of Kaneohe, Oahu.
- Jonathan Olsten, Kamehameha Schools, son of Bruce and Lizbeth Olsten of Wailuku, Maui.
- Blair Suzuki, Campbell High School, son of Eric Suzuki and Carmen Short of Ewa Beach, Oahu.
- Alexander Why, Iolani School, son of Stephen and Christine Why of Honolulu, Oahu.
