MHS Wins Kaimana Award

HMSA News Release 

For the first time in three years, the Hawaii Medical Service Association celebrated winners of the 17th annual HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program in person at the Hawaii Convention Center. Nine local high schools and 15 exemplary college-bound students were recognized for their achievements and excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship. Molokai High School won a Kaimana Award for the first time.

“Every year, I’m amazed by the wonderful talent we have in our high school communities and, to me, this is one of the most meaningful awards out there because it celebrates the best and most well-rounded kids,” said HMSA President and Chief Executive Officer Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. “At HMSA, we’re proud to support and honor our inspiring leaders of tomorrow and I’m thrilled we could celebrate our winners in person.”

HMSA has sponsored the Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program in partnership with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association since 2005 to recognize all-around accomplishments by high schools and reward individual students with scholarships.

At the awards ceremony, 15 students from across the state each received scholarships worth $5,000. 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.

Molokai High School won in the Maui Interscholastic League Large School (350 students or more) category. This year, Molokai High School participated in six state tournaments: cross country, air riflery, girls volleyball, wrestling, judo, and baseball. Their girls volleyball team was the consolation bracket winner in the state tournament and they placed second in the MIL.

On the community front, Molokai High School students wrote letters of encouragement to hospital staff on Molokai and Maui. They also participated in various community beautification projects and hosted multiple food and toy drives throughout the holidays.

The scholarship selection committee included the following Hawaii 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, community relations, Hawaiian Airlines; Dave Reardon, sports columnist, Honolulu Star-Advertiser; and Steve Uyehara, anchor, Hawaii News Now.

To learn more about the HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program, visit hmsa.com/kaimana.