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News Release

June 25, 2011
Thirty high schools and 22 student athletes receive honors at 2011 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program ceremony

Moani Wright-Van Alst
(808) 952-7566

More than 200 high school students and their family members, school principals, and athletic directors from across the state gathered today at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki to honor Hawaii’s finest scholar athletes and top high schools at the 2011 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program ceremony.

“We’re very proud to sponsor the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program, the only program in the state to reward academics, sportsmanship, community service, and athletics,” said Robert P. Hiam, HMSA president and chief executive officer. “Today’s ceremony was inspiring and uplifting. It was a tribute to the outstanding achievements of Hawaii’s high school students and schools.”

At the awards ceremony, three student athletes received distinguished scholarships valued at $3,000 each, and 19 students received scholarships worth $2,000. In addition, 30 high schools were recognized for achieving the highest program scores in their league and division in athletics, academics, sportsmanship, and community service. The 10 schools with the highest points also received a check for $1,500.

“For HMSA, this program is a long-term investment in our young people and the community,” said Hiam. “We consider it an honor and a privilege to be able to support Hawaii’s future leaders.”

Today’s ceremony was emceed by longtime University of Hawaii sports broadcaster Jim Leahey. The keynote address was presented by Kealoha, an internationally acclaimed poet and storyteller. Guest presenters included Steve Uyehara with Hawaii News Now, Dave Vinton with OC16, Dave Reardon with The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Josh Pacheco with ESPN radio, and Wes Nakama with Scoringlive.com.

The HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program began in August 2005, and 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.

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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