GLSS is grateful to continue its partnership with Farrington High School’s Business Academy, located in Honolulu, supporting the next generation of Hawaiʻi’s business leaders through real-world Lean Six Sigma training and certification.
This year, GLSS donated Lean Six Sigma Certifications to 50 students—equipping them with the same structured problem-solving skills used by Fortune 500 companies. Through this experience, students aren’t just learning theory. They are applying proven tools and methods to improve real processes within their school and local community.
Turning Learning into Real Impact
Last school year, students in the Business Academy have taken what they’ve learned and applied it to meaningful projects such as:
- Optimizing student-led financial literacy fairs
- Improving school clubs and academic programs
- Streamlining workflows at their own workplaces and local businesses
By working on real challenges, students build confidence, strengthen analytical thinking, and learn how to identify root causes—not just treat symptoms. They experience firsthand how structured problem-solving can drive measurable, sustainable results.
1st Place winner Viane Nicole Ines is honored at the 2025 Tao Award Ceremony for her project, Transforming Financial Literacy in Hawaii, promoting financial literacy among high school students with system-level impact. Her measurable results impressed leaders including U.S. Department of Commerce Director John Holman and Philippine Vice Consul Leizel Caasi, among others.
Investing in Hawaiʻi’s Future Leaders
As part of this continued partnership, GLSS is also supporting student achievement through the Tao Scholarship funding. The top three project teams will be awarded scholarships totaling $10,000, reinforcing GLSS’s commitment to education, leadership development, and opportunity for Hawaiʻi’s youth.
This collaboration reflects GLSS’s belief that powerful business skills should be accessible early—especially when students are motivated to create positive change in their schools and communities.
Mahalo to the students and educators at Farrington High School’s Business Academy for their dedication, creativity, and leadership. We are honored to support your journey and excited to see the impact you continue to make.
2026 Judges & Distinguished Guests
For 2026, we’re honored to have the following international business and community leaders observe and determine our scholarship winners on March 27, 2026 at Farrington High School’s Auditorium.
Pamela Durian-Bailon
Deputy Consul General,
Philippine Consulate General
Nathalie Carisey
President,
Kona Brewing Hawai’i
Susan Utsugi
Group Sr. VP, Business Banking,
Central Pacific Bank
Lama Mingma Sherpa
Regional Supervisor,
Kagyu Thegchen Ling
Elvinse Moleta
Founder & CEO,
Blend House Studio
Jerome Adarna
Founder & President,
Visionary Views LLC
Gloria Ikei
Manager, Consumer Banking,
Hawaii State Federal Credit Union
Natalie Ka’u
Retired Educator,
Pearl City High School
Daniel K. Inouye Elementary
