HONOLULU – School principals, athletic directors, students, and family members came from across the state to the Hawaii Convention Center today to honor Hawaii’s top high schools and the finest scholar athletes at the 2016 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program luncheon.

“This is the 11th year of the program and our honorees never cease to amaze,” said Elisa Yadao, HMSA’s senior vice president of Consumer Experience. “They’re accomplished scholars, tremendous athletes, and wonderful ambassadors of health and well-being. But above all, they’re compassionate young men and women who’ve dedicated themselves to making a difference. We’re proud to recognize their achievements and support them in their future endeavors.”

The Kaimana program was started in August 2005 by HMSA and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA). It recognizes all-around accomplishments by high schools and rewards individual students with scholarships.

At today’s awards ceremony, 15 students received scholarships worth $5,000. Nine high schools were recognized for achieving the highest program scores in their league (classified by student enrollment) in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship. The nine highest-scoring schools received a check for $1,500.

KGMB Sunrise News Anchor Steve Uyehara and Pali Momi Director of Philanthropy Liz Chun emceed the awards luncheon. Guest presenters included KITV4 sports anchor and UH Rainbow Warrior football play-by-play announcer Robert Kekaula, ESPN Hawaii radio personality Josh Pacheco, and Dave Vinton, director of sports programming for OC-16.

HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program 2016 Winning High Schools

• Big Island Interscholastic Federation
  • Small School (fewer than 200 students): Parker School
  • Large School (200 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): Lanai High School
  • Large School (350 students or more): King Kekaulike High School
• Oahu Interscholastic Association
  • Small School (fewer than 1,300 students): Kailua High School
  • Large School (1,300 students or more): Kapolei High School

HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program 2016 Student Scholarship Winners

• Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF)
  • Destiny Jarrett-Stroud, Makua Lani Christian Academy
  • Jordan Virtue, Hawaii Preparatory Academy
• Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH)
  • Serena Le, Punahou School
  • Shaylin Marn, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
  • Sergei Scharer, Saint Louis School
  • Ai Yokogawa, Hawaii Baptist Academy
• Kauai Interscholastic Federation (KIF)
  • Devon Hartsell, Waimea High School
  • Makenna Olson, Island School
• Maui Interscholastic League (MIL)
  • Joseph Baldwin, Kihei Charter School
  • Cendall Manley, Molokai High School
• Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA)
  • Alexa Anderson, Kalaheo High School
  • Samantha Churchill, Kalani High School
  • Vanessa Roybal, Mililani High School
  • Rylan Tangonan, Castle High School
  • Emily Wong, Kaimuki High School

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 wellness; 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.