Island Pacific Academy’s annual Secondary Awards Ceremony returned on May 7, bringing together students, families, and faculty to celebrate the achievements of secondary students who exemplify the mission and values of the school. Held on campus in the Gulab & Indru Watumull Room, the ceremony honored awardees nominated and selected by secondary faculty based on the criteria for each award.
Mufi Hannemann — President and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, former Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and Harvard alumnus — returned to present the prestigious Harvard Book Award to this year’s recipient, Jaron Alarcon ’27. The Harvard Book Award recognizes an outstanding junior who exemplifies excellence in scholarship, high character, and achievement in other fields.
IPA’s highest honor, the Navigator Award, was presented to Jacqueline Arvman ’26. The Navigator Award recognizes strength of character, commitment to excellence, and involvement as a citizen of the campus and wider communities. This year’s Valedictorian is Danielle Okimoto ’26, and Kamiya-Lee Luchetti ’26 is the class of 2026 Salutatorian.
Congratulations to all secondary students who received recognition for their outstanding achievements throughout the 2025–2026 school year. Their dedication, generosity of spirit, and commitment to excellence inspire the entire IPA ʻohana.
Navigator Award – Jacqueline Arvman ’26
The Navigator Award is Island Pacific Academy’s highest honor. It is awarded to a senior in recognition for consistently exemplifying the core values of IPA — kindness, generosity of spirit, and curiosity and creativity in all academic endeavors. The recipient exemplifies the values found in IPA’s mission statement: strength of character, based upon respect for others, recognition of the inherent value of each human being, generosity of spirit and the power of human kindness; commitment to become an involved citizen both within their community and the world; and confidence to maximize their intellectual, academic, physical, artistic, and creative gifts in preparation for college and as a lifelong learner.
Valedictorian – Danielle Okimoto ’26
The class Valedictorian is the top student in the graduating class, recognized for consistent academic excellence and strength of character. The honoree is determined based on strength of schedule, participation in extracurricular activities, service to community, and personal character consistent with the values of the school.
Salutatorian – Kamiya-Lee Luchetti ’26
The class Salutatorian is the second top student in the graduating class, recognized for consistent academic excellence and strength of character. The honoree is determined based on strength of schedule, participation in extracurricular activities, service to community, and personal character consistent with the values of the school.
Head of School Award – Leianna Babas ’26
This award honors a deserving senior for their combined record of service, character, leadership, and scholarship.
Harvard Book Award – Jaron Alarcon ’27
The Harvard Book Award is given to an outstanding high school junior who exemplifies the Harvard tradition of academic excellence, reflected in class ranking or GPA, achievement in extracurricular activities, and exemplary character. This award was presented by Mufi Hannemann, President and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, former Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and Harvard alumnus.
Stargazer – Mikaela Mullen ’28
The Stargazer Award honors a sophomore who has been, for all intents and purposes, an ideal student based on Island Pacific Academy’s mission statement. The recipient is recognized for consistently exemplifying the core values of IPA — kindness, generosity of spirit, and curiosity and creativity in all academic endeavors. This is the highest award at this level.
Student Life Award – Aiden Tan ’27
The Student Life Award is given to a student who shows consistent participation in student activities, productions, athletics, and other endeavors in ways that generate support for the school and exhibit a positive school spirit.
Hoʻoilina Award – Thayleah Hall ’26
This award honors a senior for their participation in and promotion of Hawaiian culture on and off campus. Hoʻoilina means heritage in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and acknowledges the upholding and perpetuation of Hawaiian language and culture in our school.
Outstanding Contribution to IPA Culture & Arts – Braxtyn Montalbo ’26 & Zoe Murata ’26
This award honors students for their career contributions to school culture through the arts, curricular activities, and extracurricular activities on campus and in the community
Global Citizen Award – Caitlyn Bedford ’26
The Global Citizen Award is presented in recognition of embodying the attributes of Island Pacific Academy’s core values by showing compassion and empathy for people of other cultures and backgrounds, enriching the community by encouraging diversity of thought and opinion, and actively promoting the pursuit of international exposures and intercultural exchanges.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award honors a student who has been a positive force for class spirit and class cohesion, and who has taken initiative on student issues. This student demonstrated leadership in supporting school-related activities and the immediate community.
Adelynne Banquil ’27
Lowell Chappell ’26
Academic Achievement Award
The Academic Achievement Award is given to a student who consistently demonstrates an interest in intellectual pursuits, love of knowledge, and a positive attitude toward learning, accompanied by achievement at the highest academic level.
Ocean Hayes ’28
Jaron Alarcon ’27
Kāhiau Award
Kāhiau means to give without the expectation of anything in return. This award honors students who, over the course of their time at IPA, have consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to service to the school and others within the community — a consistent willingness to serve, to offer help without being asked, whose selfless efforts have enhanced the school community.
Wyatt Doney ’32
Vivienne Arvman ’31
Madeleine Noonan ’30
Carina Pupillo ’29
McKenzie Godish ’28
Casey Motas ’27
Bostyn Tsukamoto ’26
Generosity of Spirit Award
The Generosity of Spirit Award honors students who consistently exhibit an attitude characterized by sensitivity to the needs of others, a willingness to help whenever possible, and a genuine care for the welfare of their fellow IPA community members.
Peter Cornthwaite ’32
Rhys Okimoto ’31
Autumn Evans ’30
Charis Okumoto ’29
Kyler Koga ’28
Nancy Arashiro ’27
Mila Dul ’26
