Castle Alumni/Community Association Scholarships

THE SCHOLARSHIPS
Beginning in 2022, the Castle Alumni/Community Association awarded three scholarships. The Castle Alumni/Community Association established a scholarship in honor of Hank Iida to recognize the community service provided by two graduating seniors of James B. Castle High School and to support their pursuit of higher education. Hank Iida, a founder and past president of the Association, was known for his years of dedicated service to Castle High School and the Windward community. The newest scholarship was created with funds donated by the WCIT Foundation, which was created by WCIT Architecture to honor two of their late founders, Kevin Chun and Stan Takaki. This newest scholarship was established to honor alumnus the late Kevin Chun.
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WHO IS HANK IIDA?
Mr. Henry "Hank" Takashi Iida is an Alumnus of James B. Castle High School, Class of 1953, the second graduating class of Castle High School. He was born in Ka'a'awa, O'ahu, to parents Tomitaro and Shizuyo Iida. After high school, he attended Purdue University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He went on to Lehigh University to obtain his Masters degree then completed his education at USC, earning his PhD in Aerospace Engineering while working full time.

His career took him from working as a Thermodynamics Engineer working on missile projects to working on the Apollo 11 project and the early stages of the space shuttle project before returning home to Hawaii to later become the President of T. Iida Contracting, Ltd. where he strived to continue his father's legacy of honesty and integrity in business as well as giving back to the community. Quiet and "low keyed", he had a profound impact in providing opportunities for others through the various charitable organizations he was involved in. He served as the volunteer President of the Minami Community Foundation for 20 plus years and is one of the founders and a long-time leader of the Castle Alumni/Community Association. He will be especially remembered for his tireless efforts in providing tremendous support for Castle High School. In 2010 he was one of six graduates honored by Castle High School for his contributions to the school as well as his accomplishments within the community, state and nation. He recently published a 2nd edition book chronicling a historical perspective of Japanese in Kaneohe of which the donations go to Castle High School.

His contributions to Castle High School and to the Kaneohe community will be remembered and honored by this scholarship.
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WHO IS KEVIN CHUN?
Here is an excerpt from the WCIT Foundation website.
‍"A 1968 graduate of Castle High School, he attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and the School of Architecture at University of Hawai`i. Chun married Susan Yamashiro and, together they had a son Ryan. He joined Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG) then known as Wimberly Whisen Allison Tong & Goo (WWAT&G), in 1977. While at WATG, Kevin Chun was recognized as being among the most powerful creative resources. Pete Wimberly once commented, "We are very lucky to have Kevin Chun with us." Chun left WATG in 2000 and joined forces with Eugene Watanabe to found Watanabe and Chun Architects and Design Consultants, LLC. Watanabe and Chun were soon joined by Rob Iopa and Stan Tataki to form Watanabe Chun Iopa Takaki, Inc. (WCIT Architecture).

With WCIT Architecture, Chun continued to create award winning designs, including Sheraton Moorea Resort and Spa, French Polynesia; Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa in Kona on Hawai`i Island. The Uplands at Mauna Kea, Hawai`i Island; as well as a luxurious residence at the Old Kaiser Estate on Portlock Road. Chun held a position of eminence among Hawai`i design professionals. His leisure industry projects evoked an appropriately Hawaiian grace and charm. Chun created notable residential designs, as well as spas and convention facilities. Many of his works are monumental in size and palatial by client mandate, but function as tropical architecture and are informally comfortable. Chun approached design with sensitivity, thoughtfulness and quiet confidence. He drew from European, Oriental, and Pacific themes, often expressing them in a compatible blend eschewing the trendy in favor of timelessness."

HOW CAN I HELP?
You can help to honor the memory of Hank by becoming a member of Castle Alumni/Community Association and by making a contribution to this scholarship fund. The Association presents annually, scholarships to recognize community service of graduating seniors of Castle High School to support their pursuit of higher education.

WHERE DO I BEGIN?
‍You can start by completing the Membership Registration Form below. When you have completed the form, you will be taken to the donation site, where you can choose how much to donate and how frequent. Be sure to select Scholarships when making your donation.