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News Release

June 19, 2010
HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program honors 21 high school students and 30 schools

Laura Lott
(808) 952-7566

More than 200 students, principals, athletic directors, and their family members from across the state gathered today for the annual HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki. Hawaii’s outstanding students and top public and independent high schools received honors for achievements in athletics, academics, sportsmanship and community service during the 2009-10 school year.

At today’s ceremony, three student athletes received distinguished scholarships valued at $3,000 each, and 18 students received scholarships worth $2,000. In addition, 10 high schools received Kaimana Awards for achieving the highest program scores in their league and division. A check for $1,500 was also presented to each of the 10 winning schools.

Today’s ceremony was emceed by University of Hawaii sports broadcaster Jim Leahey and KHON 2 sports director Kanoa Leahey, and the keynote speech was presented by Dana Takahara-Dias, University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine head basketball coach. Guest presenters included OC 16 sports director Dave Vinton, Hawaii News Now sports director Brooks Baehr, as well as former Honolulu Advertiser sportswriter Wes Nakama.

“Congratulations to those who earned scholarships and awards. We’re proud to sponsor the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program, which is the only program in the state to combine academics, sportsmanship and community service with athletics,” said Bob Hiam, HMSA president and chief executive officer. “Today’s ceremony was a wonderful tribute to the achievements of Hawaii’s high school students and their schools.”

“We view this program as a long-term investment in our young people and our community,” said Hiam. “With increasing challenges at home and abroad, it’s imperative to support these talented student athletes and to help strengthen and build Hawaii’s future leaders.”

Hawaiian Airlines supported the Kaimana luncheon ceremony by providing free travel arrangements for several of the Neighbor Island students and guests.

Introduced in August 2005, the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program recognizes all-around accomplishments by high schools, rewards individual student athletes with scholarships, and supports coaches’ education. The program is administered by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA), and success is measured in the areas of athletics, academics, sportsmanship and community service.

HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that includes representatives from health care, business, labor, government, education, clergy, and the community at large. HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Nationally, HMSA and 38 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans provide worldwide coverage to more than 100 million members.

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