HONOLULU – The Hawaii Medical Service Association celebrated its 19th class of the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program recipients at Oahu Country Club today. The awards ceremony recognized 15 outstanding Hawaii high school seniors for their achievements and nine local high schools for all-around excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship.
“This program is an investment in Hawaii’s future. For 19 years and counting, it’s been an honor to support some of the best and brightest graduating seniors in Hawaii, as well as select schools that work tirelessly to nurture the next generation of leaders,” said HMSA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. “Many of our scholarship recipients continue to make meaningful contributions to our communities and we’re grateful to play a small part in their journey.”
HMSA has sponsored the Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program in partnership with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) 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 2024 with a GPA of 2.75 or higher, 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 help pay for higher education, including tuition, books, computers, and room and board.
Dr. Mugiishi presented the awards and was joined by emcees Steve Uyehara and Liz Chun Uyehara. Uyehara is an anchor at Hawaii News Now and Chun Uyehara is the director of communications at Hawaii Pacific Health.
The scholarship selection committee included 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.
The students and winning schools include:
2024 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program: Winning Students
Big Island Interscholastic Federation
- Marissa Boerner, Kealakehe High School
- Andrew Paresa, Waiakea High School
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
- Sydney Endo, Punahou School
- Kylee Hamamoto, Punahou School
- Diyora Kamilova, Iolani School
- Elle Mizue, Iolani School
Kauai Interscholastic Federation
- Talen Koerte, Kauai High School
- Shyloh McCann, Kapaa High School
Maui Interscholastic League
- Madison Strand, King Kekaulike High School
- Jasmyn Yoshikawa, Baldwin High School
Oahu Interscholastic Association
- Kayuga Jade de Guzman, Waialua High and Intermediate School
- Rafael Firme, Campbell High School
- Ahryanna McGuirk, Kalaheo High School
- Catalina Naki-Alforte, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School
- Eve Nawahine, Kahuku High and Intermediate School
2024 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): Hawaii Baptist Academy
Kauai Interscholastic Federation
- Waimea 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): Kalaheo High School
- Large School (1,300 students or more): Moanalua High School
To learn more about the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program, visit 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 statewide to serve our members, HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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