The Hilo Orchid Society recently honored two University of Hawaii at Hilo students with the 2019-20 Yasuji Takasaki Memorial Scholarship.
UH-Hilo senior Aaron Shipman and sophomore Lael Bukoski are both agriculture majors, focusing on tropical plant science and agroecology.
The scholarship was established to honor Yasuji Takasaki, a pioneer in orchid culture on Hawaii Island who for decades made valuable contributions to the Hilo Orchid Society.
Takasaki strongly believed in the power of a college education to help young people achieve their dreams.
The scholarship pays a tuition grant of $1,500 per semester to deserving UH-Hilo undergraduate students majoring in agriculture or natural science programs.
The society’s mission is to extend the knowledge, production, use and appreciation of orchids.
For more information about the scholarship and the Hilo Orchid Society, visit www.hiloorchidsociety.org.