Joseph E. Spadaro Memorial Scholarship awarded

WAIKOLOA VILLAGE — In May, the Joseph E. Spadaro Scholarship was awarded by Friends of the Library — Waikoloa Region (FL-WR) to Kealakehe High School graduate Gene Maluyo.

The full scholarship covers two years’ tuition, fees, books and supplies in the Transportation and Applied Technology Department at Hawaii Community College.

Maluyo was selected for his excellent academic record, as well as his desire to study auto mechanics. He stands out as a team player who, according to his Kealakehe High School advisor, is “reliable, responsible, persistent, polite and a great communicator who is always willing to help others.”

Maluyo was involved in extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, cross country track team and paddling with the Keauhou team.

The scholarship is funded by Luella Spadaro, in memory of her husband, Joseph, and administered by FL-WR. The Spadaros lived in Waikoloa Village for many years.

Born in Italy and a veteran of WWII, Joe was successful in several careers: while working at Honolulu Gas Co., he converted Aloha Airlines’ fleet of ground equipment to propane and later repaired hydraulic systems on minesweepers. He later taught auto mechanics at Kamehameha School.

Because Joe was a passionate advocate of trade education — automotive mechanics in particular — when he died in 2013 his family chose to honor his memory by helping future mechanics. Automotive mechanics is one of the trades that does not receive much financial support.

The Spadaro Scholarship is one of several FL-WR programs that support education and the love of reading. Fl-WR maintains and staffs a bookmobile, and provides leadership in its mission to bring a public library to the Waikoloa region.