Annual Matson Scholarships Awarded

Since 2013, Matson has awarded several scholarships to children of Matson employees set to attend college in the fall. Each student receives $2,500 for the academic year, renewable up to three times, for a possible total of $10,000 in education financial support. Matson Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, promise in their chosen field of study, civic awareness, and personal integrity. An impartial group of three individuals with no connection to Matson or its subsidiaries selects the winners. For 2023, Matson congratulates Pravindi Gurusinghe, Lauryn Kaohu, Ethan Kwong, and Grace Lane on being selected to receive the Matson Scholarship. Congratulations to all!

Pravindi Gurusinghe is a senior at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Ariz., Pravindi will be a member of the graduating class of 2024. Upon graduation, she is looking forward to attending the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she will major in either biomedical science or chemical engineering. She is considering biomedical science because she has a brother with autism and would like to contribute towards the research and eventual cure for those similarly afflicted.

A four-year varsity athlete on the badminton and tennis teams, Pravindi also played trombone for the school marching band and bass guitar for the school jazz band. She is involved in several extra-curricular activities, including being the treasurer of the National Honor Society. She has planned and organized fundraisers and loves to bake and draw portraits. Pravindi is the oldest daughter of Poorna Gurusinghe, account specialist team lead in Matson’s Customer Service Center in Phoenix.

Lauryn Kaohu, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Miliani High School class of 2023, is currently attending the University of Hawaii where she plans on pursuing degrees in Science and Art. A fan of theater and art, Lauryn volunteers as a stage production coordinator for the University’s Performing Arts Center. Recognizing the importance of equity, she is a volunteer in the University of Hawaii’s Office of Equity, Excellence, and Diversity. Once a week, Lauryn acts as coordinator and host of a student coffee hour in the UH Campus Center. Lauryn is the daughter of Kapena Kaohu, container yard supervisor, Matson Terminals, Honolulu.

Ethan Kwong is a junior at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he is majoring in computer science and piano performance. Ethan plans on becoming a software engineer. Ethan co-founded Virtual Tutoring SF, a free online tutoring service for 3-8th grade students. Created to fill the learning gap created by the pandemic, student tutors meet weekly with small groups of students for one hour via Google Meets.
Ethan is a three-year member of the Dean’s List at Carnegie Mellon as well as a member of the Asian Students Association. He has been a teacher’s assistant in computer science since his sophomore year, competes in computer hackathon events, participates in recreational volleyball clubs, and enjoys playing the piano, violin, and basketball. Ethan is the son of Herman Kwong, trade analyst, Commercial Division, Oakland Corp.

Grace Lane graduated with honors from Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown, Pa., and attends The  George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is a business major with a concentration in marketing strategy and analytics. Grace plans a future in international marketing at a sustainable, high-end fashion company.

At Bishop Shanahan, she was selected for the school’s Eagle Business Academy and served as a representative for the Community Service Club, a student council officer, the PR officer of the school’s DECA team, and a National Honor Society member.

Grace started a Habitat for Humanity club to help construct affordable housing in low-income communities. She was awarded scholarships for top performance in her Business Academy’s capstone course and for outstanding community service.

Grace also received a scholarship from The Traffic Club of New York. Grace is the daughter of Gina Lane, director of strategic accounts, Matson Logistics.