The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation honored 30 Hawai'i scholar-athletes with college scholarships yesterday. Another nine individuals and 13 clubs received grants to represent Hawai'i in national and international competition.

Outrigger Canoe Club started the foundation in 1990 "to financially support the development of individuals and organizations that perpetuate the spirit and legacy of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku." The foundation awarded a record $80,000 in scholarships and grants this year.

Scholarships ranged from $500 to $2,000. Of the 30 student-athletes receiving college aid, 25 were women. Winners came from Moloka'i, Maui, Kaua'i, the Big Island and O'ahu.

Many, such as volleyball players Kekai Crabbe (Pepperdine) and Lacey Lavarias (Utah), are already in college. In contrast, Leilani Dimond just graduated a year ahead of her Konawaena class with a 3.96 grade point average. She will be a freshman at USC this fall and hopes to continue her water polo career.

Scholarships are awarded for academic and athletic excellence. In Kahanamoku's honor, preference is given to competitors in water sports or volleyball. Kahanamoku is known as the "Father of International Surfing" and he won six Olympic medals in swimming.

"This was really important to me because it's the first scholarship I got," said Serena Makaiwi, a swimmer and water polo player headed to Brigham Young-Hawai'i. "It made a big difference. I felt really important and thrilled when I got it. I was jumping up for joy. Especially being honored with the Kahanamoku scholarship. He means a lot."

Jennifer Lindsey, a 6-foot-2 Kapa'a graduate, hopes to walk-on to the University of Hawai'i volleyball team and also jump for the Rainbow Wahine track program. She won the last two state high jump championships. The foundation scholarship is one of six collected by Lindsey, whose high school grade point average was 4.07.

Among those awarded grants were Olympian Andy Bussey, who will use the aid to help with travel costs to compete in the World Sprint Kayaking Championships next month in Croatia.

For information on applying for a grant or about supporting the foundation, call 545-4880 or visit dukefoundation.org.

2005 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Virginia Aguilar (Waimea, volleyball), Sean Aoyagi (Mid-Pacific, water polo), Jeffrey Casebier (Punahou, rowing, paddling), Leslieann Casino (Moloka'i, volleyball, softball), Lauren Cheape (Mililani, water polo), Kekai Crabbe (Kamehameha, volleyball), Leilani Dimond (Konawaena, water polo), Jason Fung (Honolulu Waldorf, water polo), Fallan Kahlbaum (Kalaheo, volleyball), Dana Kaio (Maui, volleyball), Lacey Lavarias (Iolani, volleyball), Jennifer Lindsey (Kapa'a, volleyball, track and field), Larisa Luehrs (Kahuku, water polo), Serena Makaiwi (Leilehua, swimming, water polo), Celeste Manuia (Waiakea, volleyball).

Chelsea Meyer (Kamehameha, rowing), Sara Mirels (Kahuku, water polo), Kimberly Moore (Moanalua, swimming), Sarah Morihara (Leilehua, swimming, water polo), Liana Nakazawa (Kapa'a, swimming, surfing), Kealaonapua O'Sullivan (Kamehameha, swimming, water polo), Janet Plescia (Pahoa, volleyball, softball), Leohe'onani Reyes (Kamehameha, swimming, water polo), Garrett Sakimae (Kaua'i, volleyball manager), Kristin Simunovich (Punahou, swimming, water polo), Emalia Suehiro (King Kekaulike, swimming), Evone Wong (Maui, swimming), Lehuanani Yap (Nanakuli, volleyball, softball), Ivy Yi (Kalani, swimming), Cameron Zackery (Kahuku, paddling).

2005 ATHLETIC GRANTS

Individuals: Brittany Beauchan (swimming), Charles Bell (volleyball), Andrew Bussey (kayak), Cedric Caires (surfing), Rob Farrow (surfing), Cristel Simms (swimming), Martin Sterling (sailing), Kekoa Taparra (swimming), Deron Verbeck (freediving).

Teams: Haili Women's Volleyball, Hawai'i Amateur Surfing Association, Hawai'i Canoe & Kayak, Hawai'i Canoe & Kayak-Kaua'i, Hawai'i High School Rodeo Association, Hawaiian Island Twisters, Imua Na Opio 'O Maui Volleyball, Lanikai Canoe Club, Leilehua High School Swim, Maunalani Volleyball Club (13-under, 12-under girls), Na Opio Canoe Racing Association, Surfers Healing Foundation, Team Hawai'i.