U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) today announced his nominations to the United States service academies for the class entering July 2001.

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 individual 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 their leadership ability.

U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY

– Blade Shepherd-Jones, Kalaheo High School, son of Dean Jones and Susan Shepherd of Kailua, Oahu.

– Veronica Davich, Makua Lani Christian School, daughter of Anthony Davich and Rebecca Helms of Holualoa, Hawaii.

– John Velasco, graduate of Kamehameha Schools, son of Ron and Anna Velasco of Anahola, Kauai.

U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY

– William Ahue, Kamehameha Schools, son of the late Jerry K. Ahue, Jr. and Heather Ahue of Aiea, Oahu.

– Aaron Angotti, Punahou School, son of Michael Angotti and Janice Smolec of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Jesse Baricar, Kamehameha Schools, son of Leopold and Janet Baricar of Kapolei, Oahu.

– Robert Barno, Leilehua High School, son of David and Susan Barno of Wahiawa, Oahu.

– Victoria Castaneda, Kalaheo High School, daughter of Miguel and May Castaneda of Kailua, Oahu.

– Miclynn Crail, Iolani School, daughter of Michael and Francine Crail of Waipahu, Oahu.

– Rorey Faraon, Molokai High School, son of Jess Faraon and Rhonda Kanalewai of Kaunakakai, Molokai.

– Caleb Hyler, New Mexico Military Institute, son of David and Matilde Hyler of Wahiawa, Oahu.

– Mark Kawakami, Phillips Academy Andover, son of Yasuko Kawakami of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Brandon Lam, Iolani School, son of J. Gerard and Mona Lam of Kaneohe, Oahu.

– Albert Lee, Oregon State University, son of David and Sarah Lee of Honolulu, Oahu.

–Dale Lee, Iolani School, son of Clifford and Beverly Lee of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Daniel Malakie, Kealakehe High School, son of Daniel and Viktoria Malakie of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

– Earl Tsuneyoshi, Zama American High School, son of Randall and Cynthia Tsuneyoshi of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Benjamin Villaflor, Aiea High School, son of Bienvenido and Denise Villaflor of Mililani, Oahu.

– Dan Yokoyama, Kailua High School, son of Dennis and Linda Yokoyama of Kailua, Oahu.

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY

– Theodore Borromeo, Lahainaluna High School, son of Dayle and Maureen Pescaia of Aiea, Oahu.

– Joseph Diniega, Radford High School, son of Michael and Darlene Diniego of Pearl City, Oahu.

– Caitlin Fackrell, Kalaheo High School, daughter of John and Mary Fackrell of Kailua, Oahu.

– David Knowles, Kalaheo High School, son of David and Deborah Knowles, Sr. of Kailua, Oahu.

– Kristina Malakie, Kealakehe High School, daughter of Daniel and Viktoria Malakie of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

– Curtis Nickel, Iolani School, son of Robert and Roberta Nickel of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Cassidy Rasmussen, Radford High School, daughter of Bruce and Stacey Rasmussen of Pearl City, Oahu.

– David Schultze, Waiakea High School, son of Mark Schultze and Michelle Carlson of Keaau, Hawaii.

– Janelle Trusty, La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls, daughter of Lewis and Christine Trusty of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Danielle Wright, St. Anthony Jr./Sr. High School, daughter of Denny and Deborah Wright of Kula, Maui.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY

– Stan Hashimoto, Kauai High School, son of Leslie and Margaret Hashimoto of Lihue, Kauai.

– Noah Kutaka, Iolani School, son of Claude and Grace Kutaka of Kaneohe, Oahu.

– Anthony Kim, Seoul American High School, son of Hyun Su and Hyon Suk Kim of Korea.

– Jason Lai Hipp, Kamehameha Schools, son of Gilbert and Linda Lai Hipp of Waianae, Oahu.

– Riki Lee, Waiakea High School, son of Anthony and Joanne Lee of Kurtistown, Hawaii.

– Christopher Leong, Kamehmeha Schools, son of Joel and Melissa Leong of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Christopher Nary, Kamehameha Schools, son of Benny and Christine Nary of Honolulu, Oahu.

– Keith Philaphandeth, Mililani High School, son of Bee and Dara Philaphandeth of Mililani, Oahu.

– Sarah Sakimae, Kauai High School, daughter of Bruce and Karen Sakimae of Koloa, Kauai.

– Brent Teraoka, Punahou School, son of Gordon and Joyce Teraoka of Honolulu, Oahu.