The goal of this scholarship is to assist college students pursing a degree in civil engineering, construction management, construction engineering, and other degrees related to the design and construction infrastructure improvements.
We are pleased to introduce you to the 2026 HAPI Scholarship Recipients.
$1,000 Scholarship Recipients
Kaylee Noguchi Kaylee is a second time scholarship recipient. She is a third-year civil engineering student at Cal Poly Pomona. She discussed her interest in transportation design and project management. She highlighted her summer internship with HNTB on the Brightline West high-speed rail project, where she gained experience in CAD design, communication with project teams, and understanding of transportation infrastructure. Kaylee expressed her desire to work on complete streets and improvement projects, and she thanked the HAPI organization and her family for their support.
Romel Gasper Romel is a second time scholarship recipient. Romel is enrolled in the Hawaii Pacific University, Master of Science in Construction Engineering program. Since my previous HAPI award, he has become directly involved in the paving industry. Romel has overseen three IDIQ projects on the Big Island, two from preconstruction through closeout, and one that will be finalized next month. He also completed a project on Kauai, serving as a Field Engineer and helping boost production by over 50 percent. Through these experiences, he has gained a strong understanding of paving logistics, AC properties, and the coordination required for successful roadway construction.
Harvey Chu Harvey a senior at the University of Hawaii pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, discussed their academic and professional background. He highlighted his interest in geotechnical engineering, experience with internships at Geolabs and HDR, and ongoing research work on landslide detection. Harvey expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his experiences. He is very thankful for this scholarship. He is committed to continuing his education, and hopes to make an impact on Hawaii’s future infrastructure.
Scholarship Recipients at HAPI Lunch Meeting
At our HAPI January 2026 lunch meeting, the scholarship recipients gave a brief presentation about themselves and what receiving the scholarship met to them.
(Kaylee Noguchi was not able to attend the meeting and gave her presentation via Zoom)
(L to R) Harvey Chu, Kaylee Noguchi, and Romel Gaspar
