HONOLULU — More than 200 students, principals, athletic directors and their family members from across the state gathered Saturday for the annual HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program at the Hawai‘i Prince Hotel Waikiki. Hawai‘i’s outstanding students and top public
HONOLULU — More than 200 students, principals, athletic directors and their family members from across the state gathered Saturday for the annual HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program at the Hawai‘i Prince Hotel Waikiki.
Hawai‘i’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.
Three student athletes received distinguished scholarships valued at $3,000 each, and 18 students received scholarships worth $2,000, according to a press release from HMSA. 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.
Three students from the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation received scholarships. Waimea High School’s Natasha Abadilla (cross country, soccer, track and field) and Jade Cano (cross country, tennis), along with Kapa‘a High School’s Alia Weiss (cross country, swimming, track and field) were individually recognized for their accomplishments.
Island School was the first-place finisher from the KIF for its program scores, and athletic director Kaipo Kealalio was on hand to accept the check.
The ceremony was emceed by University of Hawai‘i sports broadcaster Jim Leahey and KHON 2 sports director Kanoa Leahey, and the keynote speech was presented by Dana Takahara-Dias, University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine head basketball coach. Guest presenters included OC 16 sports director Dave Vinton, Hawai‘i News Now sports director Brooks Baehr, as well as former Honolulu Advertiser sportswriter Wes Nakama.
“Congratulations to those who earned scholarships and awards,” said Bob Hiam, HMSA president and chief executive officer. “We’re proud to sponsor the HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program, which is the only program in the state to combine academics, sportsmanship and community service with athletics.
“Today’s ceremony was a wonderful tribute to the achievements of Hawai‘i’s high school students and their schools,” Hiam added. “We view this program as a long-term investment in our young people and our community. With increasing challenges at home and abroad, it’s imperative to support these talented student athletes and to help strengthen and build Hawai‘i’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 and 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 Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i 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.
