HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association held its 18th annual Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program awards ceremony at the Hawaii Convention Center today. HMSA recognized nine local high schools and 15 outstanding Hawaii high school seniors pursuing higher education for their achievements and excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship.
“This is my favorite event of the year at HMSA,” said HMSA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. “It’s our honor to recognize these amazing standout students and future leaders of Hawaii for their many accomplishments.”
HMSA has sponsored the Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program in partnership with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association since 2005.
At the awards ceremony, 15 students across the state received scholarships worth $5,000 each. Nine high schools were recognized for achieving the highest program scores in their league (classified by enrollment) in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship. The nine highest-scoring schools received $1,500 each.
To be eligible for a scholarship, student recipients had to graduate from a Hawaii high school in 2023 with a 2.75 or higher GPA, participate in at least one HHSAA league-sanctioned sport, and demonstrate involvement in community service throughout their high school career. Recipients can use their scholarships to pay for tuition, books, computers, and room and board.
Dr. Mugiishi presented the awards during today’s luncheon. He was joined by Hawaii News Now Anchor Steve Uyehara and Hawaii Pacific Health Director of Communications Liz Chun.
The scholarship selection committee included the following local business leaders: Katie Chang, executive director, Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders; Jenn Diesman, senior vice president of government policy and advocacy, HMSA; Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director, government and community relations, Hawaiian Airlines; Dave Reardon, sports columnist, Honolulu Star-Advertiser; and Steve Uyehara, anchor, Hawaii News Now.
2023 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program: Winning Schools
Big Island Interscholastic Federation
- Small School (fewer than 500 students): Parker School
- Large School (500 students or more): Keaau High School
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
- Small School (fewer than 400 students): University Laboratory School
- Large School (400 students or more): Saint Louis School
Kauai Interscholastic Federation
- Kapaa High School
Maui Interscholastic League
- Small School (fewer than 350 students): Maui Preparatory Academy
- Large School (350 students or more): Kamehameha Schools Maui
Oahu Interscholastic Association
- Small School (fewer than 1,300 students): Kahuku High & Intermediate School
- Large School (1,300 students or more): Moanalua High School
2023 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program: Winning Students
Big Island Interscholastic Federation
- Tayler Guerrero, Honokaa High & Intermediate School
- Rebecca Tang, Parker School
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
- Landon Choy, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
- Kaimana Kau, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
- Chancen Law, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
- Jasmine Lianalyn Rocha, Maryknoll School
Kauai Interscholastic Federation
- Emma Burgess, Kauai High School
- Hope Newton, Waimea High School
Maui Interscholastic League
- Kristen Otsubo, Baldwin High School
- Gabriella Pinheiro, Kamehameha Schools Maui
Oahu Interscholastic Association
- David Kalili, Nanakuli High & Intermediate School
- Andrew Lee, Kalani High School
- Erin Nakamura, Roosevelt High School
- Aimee Vierra, Kaiser High School
- Maverick Yasuda, Waipahu High School
To learn more about the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program, visit https://hmsa.com/kaimana.
About HMSA
Caring for the people of Hawaii is our promise and our privilege. Working together with employers, partners, and physicians and other health care providers, we promote well-being; develop reliable, affordable health plans; and support members with clear, thoughtful guidance.
HMSA is the most experienced health plan in the state, covering more than half of Hawaii’s population. As a recognized leader, we embrace our responsibility to strengthen the health and well-being of our community.
Headquartered on Oahu with centers and offices statewide to serve our members, HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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PHOTOS & VIDEO: To access photos and video footage from today’s event as well as photos of the student scholarship recipients, use the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V5yhK42wd7kUEv6oyfsvG3sapLmIzWu-?usp=sharing. As a courtesy, please credit HMSA.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Anna Koethe, HMSA
(808) 226-8379 (mobile)