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Overview
Win a FREE YEAR at UH Mānoa!
~CONGRATULATIONS, MAIYA SUGIMOTO!~
Congratulations to our 2025-2026 #TakeMeToManoa scholarship contest winner, Maiya Sugimoto from Moanalua High School!
Sugimoto’s #TakeMeToMānoa scholarship contest win was unveiled on television during her graduation rehearsal. UHFCU VP of Member Experience Jason Lippert and Hawaiʻi News Now (HNN) Reporter Casey Lund surprised her with the news that she would be receiving a free year of tuition for UH Mānoa, funded by UHFCU.
UHFCU has sponsored the tuition giveaway for seven years. They have partnered with HNN & UH Mānoa to surprise students since 2018.
“We love this day,” said Lippert. “UHFCU is happy to support our students and truly being at this scholarship event each year is one of the best moments we participate in. Maiya had such a great video explaining why she is going to UH Mānoa. We can’t wait to see what she will accomplish.”
See Maiya’s surprise reveal below:
As you know, our sole focus and existence as a credit union is to serve the UH System. That’s why we’ve once again teamed up with Hawaii News Now (HNN) and UH Mānoa to award one lucky incoming UH Mānoa student FREE resident tuition for the Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 semesters.
Enter to #TakeMeToManoa
- Fill out the entry form at hawaiinewsnow.com/takemetomanoa.
- Upload a short video (one minute max) that reflects why UH Mānoa is the right college for you or how a free year of tuition could help you.
Enter on HawaiiNewsNow.com
Contest ends May 11, 2025.
For complete contest rules, please visit hawaiinewsnow.com/takemetomanoa
Past Winners
- 2024 - Via Javinar
Congratulations to our 2024-2025 #TakeMeToManoa scholarship contest winner, Via Javinar from Kaua`i High School!Javinar’s #TakeMeToMānoa scholarship contest win was unveiled live on television during her graduation rehearsal. UH Mānoa Associate Director of Admissions Shauna Pimentel-Motooka and Hawaiʻi News Now (HNN) Anchor Dillon Ancheta surprised her with the news that she would be receiving a free year of tuition for UH Mānoa, funded by UHFCU.
UHFCU has sponsored the tuition giveaway for six years. They have partnered with HNN to surprise students since 2018.
“It is so exciting for us to provide a scholarship that will support Via at the start of her college journey,” said UHFCU President and CEO Travis Bow. “We proudly invest in students and their education as they become the future leaders and innovators of our community. We wish Via nothing but the best on her academic journey!”
See Via’s entry below.
- 2023 - Carly Miyamoto
Congratulations to our 2023-2024 #TakeMeToManoa scholarship contest winner, Carly Miyamoto!Incoming University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa freshman Carly Miyamoto will graduate from Pearl City High School as the president of the National Honor Society. At her graduation rehearsal, she and her parents were surprised to learn Miyamoto earned a free year of tuition thanks to her entry in the #TakeMeToMānoa contest funded by UHFCU and hosted by Hawaiʻi News Now (HNN).
UHFCU has sponsored the tuition giveaway for five years. They have partnered with HNN to surprise students since 2018.
“We are thrilled to extend a scholarship to Carly, a highly deserving student embarking on their college journey,” remarked UHFCU President and CEO Travis Bow. “These opportunities fill us with immense pride and excitement each year as they allow us to invest in talented individuals and contribute toward our community’s future growth and prosperity. Education is the key that unlocks doors to limitless possibilities, and by supporting this student’s academic aspirations, we are fostering a brighter tomorrow. We wish Carly nothing but the best on the journey ahead!”
See Carly’s entry below.
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FAQ
Take Me To Mānoa Contest FAQs
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How do I enter?
Beginning soon, entrants may enter this contest by visiting the hawaiinewsnow.com/takemetomanoa. Fill out the necessary info on the page, upload a short video (no longer than a minute) explaining why University of Hawaii Mānoa is the right college for you OR how a year of free tuition could help you, and click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button. You may also enter by visiting www.hawaiinewsnow.com/takemetomanoa.
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Who is eligible?
All entrants must be a resident of the State of Hawaii AND have applied AND also have been accepted for admission to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa for the Fall 2025 semester.
Employees and immediate family members of employees of Gray Television and participating companies and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, and their advertising and production agencies are not eligible to participate in this promotion. Only one entry per person per day will be accepted.
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How is the winner selected?
The winning photo/video will be selected by a Hawaii News Now and University of Hawaii at Mānoa committee. The criteria for judging the photos/videos will be based on originality, creativity, and reflection of theme.
Winner(s) will be notified by email and/or telephone from Hawaii News Now with their name being announced on Facebook as well. Sponsors reserve the right to livestream the presentation of the grand-prize winner on the Hawaii News Now Facebook page and on-air. Date of winner announcement TBD.
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What are the prizes?
One (1) grand-prize winner will receive FREE Hawaii resident tuition-paid for the upcoming Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 semesters at the University of Hawaii Mānoa, sponsored by the UH Federal Credit Union.
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How do I enter?
Contest runs 4/9/25 to 5/11/25. No purchase necessary to enter or win. All entrants must be a resident of the State of Hawaii AND have applied AND have been accepted for admission to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa for the Fall 2025 semester.
Employees and immediate family members of employees of Gray Television and participating companies and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, and their advertising and production agencies are not eligible to participate in this promotion. Only one entry per person per day will be accepted.
See full contest rules at hawaiinewsnow.com/takemetomanoa.
