HONOLULU – The Hawaii Medical Service Association celebrated its 20th class of the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program at Oahu Country Club today. The awards ceremony recognized 20 outstanding Hawaii high school graduates for their achievements and nine local high schools for all-around excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship.
“We’re incredibly proud to uphold our tradition of supporting Hawaii’s youth and investing in the future leaders of our state,” said HMSA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. “Each year, we look forward to celebrating students who have dedicated themselves to their studies, sports, and communities. Our past Kaimana scholars have achieved remarkable success in their academic and professional endeavors, and we’re excited to see the outstanding accomplishments this new class will bring.”
Dr. Mugiishi and Jenn Diesman, HMSA’s senior vice president of government policy and advocacy, presented the scholarships and school awards at the ceremony, which brought together students, their families, and school representatives. The program was emceed by Cole Cabrera, Spectrum Sports commentator, and Dawn Kurisu, assistant vice president of community and government relations, HMSA.
The 2025 Kaimana Scholarship recipients completed an application process earlier this year and were evaluated by a scholarship selection committee. Eligible students needed to meet academic, athletic, and community service requirements. From a large pool of applicants, 20 students were selected to receive scholarships worth $5,000 each, which can be used to help pay for higher education, including tuition, books, computers, and room and board.
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 schools received $1,500 each, which totaled $13,500.
The scholarship selection committee included Christopher Chun (non-voting), executive director, Hawaii High School Athletic Association; April Nakamura, interim 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.
The 2025 Kaimana scholars and schools include:
2025 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program: Winning Students
Big Island Interscholastic Federation
- Rylan Colbert – Waiakea High School
- Kamahao Halemanu – Kamehameha Schools Hawaii
- Katherine Keizer – Kealakehe High School
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
- Austen Kinney – Punahou School
- Tehana Maurice – Sacred Hearts Academy
- Shay Mc Elroy – Mid-Pacific Institute
- Alisa Senaga – St. Andrew’s Schools – The Priory
- Siena Settle – Le Jardin Academy
Kauai Interscholastic Federation
- Rain Hannsz – Kapaa High School
- Yekaterina Morozova – Kauai High School
- Andrew Sadamitsu – Kauai High School
Maui Interscholastic League
- Kamakanoweo Kekauoha-Schultz – King Kekaulike High School
- Logan Oshiro – Molokai High School
- Jacob Romero – Seabury Hall
Oahu Interscholastic Association
- Tiger Ader – Pearl City High School
- Nyla Bonisa – Kalaheo High School
- Alana Deeley – Kapolei High School
- Kolby Kaneko – Henry J. Kaiser High School
- Malakai Vendiola – Kahuku High & Intermediate School
- Malia Wagatsuma – Mililani High School
2025 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): Hanalani Schools
- 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): Kahuku High & Intermediate 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. Established in 1938 by social workers, HMSA is the most experienced health plan in the state. Starting in 2025, HMSA is supporting TriWest Healthcare Alliance to administer the U.S. Department of Defense’s TRICARE program, providing health care for uniformed service members, their families, and survivors locally. With the addition of TRICARE, HMSA provides health care to nearly 1 million people in Hawaii. We embrace our responsibility as a recognized leader 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 Blue Shield Association.