Hawaii’s top public and independent high schools today gathered to receive student and school honors for achievements in community service, sportsmanship, athletics and academics during the 2006-07 school year. Principals, athletic directors, students and family members from across the state attended the annual presentation of the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program honors. Over 200 attendees participated in the awards ceremony, which was held at the Hawaii Convention Center. (See attachment for list of winners.)
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, 29 high schools received Kaimana Awards for achieving the highest program scores in their league and division. The Kaimana Award is a unique crystal trophy on a lava-rock pedestal. A surprise bonus of $1,500 was also presented to each of the 10 winning schools.
Today’s ceremony was emceed by Jim and Kanoa Leahey, and the keynote speech was presented by the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors basketball coach, Bob Nash. Special guest presenters included sports directors from KGMB-9, KHNL-8, KHON-2, and Honolulu’s ESPN Radio 1420 AM, as well as sportswriters from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, The Honolulu Advertiser, and Midweek.
“Today’s ceremony was an exciting celebration of the achievements of Hawaii’s high school students and their schools,” said Bob Hiam, HMSA president and CEO. “Congratulations to those who earned scholarships and awards. We’re proud to sponsor the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program, the only program in the state to combine community service, academics and sportsmanship with athletics.”
“We know that healthy, active teenagers are more likely to be healthy, active adults,” said Hiam. “So we view this unique program as a long-term investment in the good health of our young people and the community at large.”
Hawaiian Airlines supported the Kaimana luncheon ceremony by graciously providing free travel arrangements for some 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 excellence in 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.
As part of the HMSA Kaimana Awards Scholarship Program, HMSA donated defibrillators to 95 Hawaii high schools in November 2006. The HHSAA brought to HMSA’s attention the critical need for the devices in Hawaii schools. The easy-to-use electronic devices can give Hawaii high school coaches and athletic trainers the ability to save lives in situations where medical professionals are not immediately available. This unique donation is one of the many ways HMSA is able to help Hawaii’s public and independent schools. For more information, visit
www.HMSA.com.
HMSA is a nonprofit, mutual benefit association founded in Hawaii in 1938. It is governed by a community board of directors that serves without compensation and 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 37 other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans provide worldwide coverage to more than 94 million members.
HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program 2007 Award and Scholarship Winners
HMSA Kaimana Awards for 29 High Schools
Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF):
Division I
| 1st place: Hilo High School
2nd place: Waiakea High School
3rd place: Keaau High School |
Division II
| 1st place: Hawaii Preparatory Academy
2nd place: Parker School
3rd place: Konawaena High School |
Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH):
Division I
| 1st place: Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama
2nd place: Mid-Pacific Institute
3rd place: Maryknoll School |
Division II
| 1st place: Christian Academy
2nd place: Hawaii Baptist Academy
3rd place: University High School |
Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA):
Red Division
| 1st place: Mililani High School
2nd place: Waipahu High School
3rd place: Campbell High School |
Blue Division
| 1st place: Roosevelt High School
2nd place: Pearl City High School
3rd place: Kahuku High School
|
White Division
| 1st place: Anuenue School
2nd place: Kailua High School
3rd place: Nanakuli High School
|
Kauai Interscholastic Federation (KIF):
| 1st place: Island School
2nd place: Waimea School
|
Maui Interscholastic League (MIL):
Division I
| 1st place: Lahainaluna High School
2nd place: Kamehameha Schools-Maui
3rd place: Maui High School |
Division II
| 1st place: Hana High School
2nd place: St. Anthony High School
3rd place: Seabury Hall Academy |
HMSA Kaimana Scholarships for Three Distinguished Athletes ($3,000 scholarships)
- Kyle Monette, Mililani High School
- Ian Dela Cruz, King Kekaulike High School
- Carolyn Pearce, Mid-Pacific Institute
HMSA Kaimana Scholarships for 18 Athletes ($2,000 scholarships)- Jasmine Blaine, Island School
- Timothy Ho, Roosevelet High School
- Jasmine Enos-Amanonce, Waianae High School
- Leslyn Ibara, Waimea High School
- Amanda Tanhchaleun, Aiea High School
- Kimberly Hall, Punahou School
- Farin Ota, Keaau High School
- Carrie Yap, Baldwin High School
- Jessica Benito, Christian Academy
- Janna Ahu, Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii
- Jennifer Noborikawa, Kalani High School
- Kellie Kitaoka, Konawaena High School
- Stephanie Kawamura, Kapaa High School
- Zachary River Kim, Punahou School
- Shayna Kapaona, Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama
- Britney Cambridge, Mililani High School
- Dominic Hart, Hawaii Baptist Academy
- Lipoa Kahaleuahi, Hana High and Elementary School
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