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News Release

July 30, 2011
Kauai Island coaches attend HMSA Kaimana Coaches Clinic: Hot topics include concussions, working with parents, and more

Moani Wright-Van Alst
(808) 952-7566

The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) today brought together high school coaches from around the island to attend Kauai’s first-ever HMSA Kaimana Coaches Clinic. The clinic, part of the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program, was held at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Lihue and offered a variety of presentations on some of the top challenges facing coaches today.

“Coaching high school sports and working with student athletes is far more complicated these days,” said Elisa Yadao, HMSA vice president of community affairs, marketing, and communications. “Coaches must be knowledgeable about many important issues, from preventing and recognizing concussions, to weight room safety and alternative training techniques, to working with parents. At today’s clinic, coaches learned about these issues and networked with their peers and the experts.”

Opening remarks were made by William Arakaki, Kauai Complex Area superintendent, and Lt. Col. Robert Levoit, West Point Field Force volunteer for Kauai. Speakers presented information on the following topics:

  • “Working with Parents” – by Jeaney Garcia, Positive Coaching Alliance.
  • “Weight Room Safety and Alternative Training Techniques” – by Samantha Henriques and Keith Burgess, certified athletic trainers.
  • “Concussions: What a Coach Should Know” – by Ross Oshiro, Hawaii Department of Education.

“The health and safety of our student athletes is our primary goal, and the concussion workshop for coaches helps us move toward achieving that goal,” said Ross Oshiro, athletic health care trainer/coordinator at the Hawaii Department of Education. “The Kaimana Coaches Clinic is a terrific forum to share knowledge and keep coaches up-to-date on the best practices for preventing concussions.”

The HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards student excellence in athletics, academics, sportsmanship, and community service. The program also supports coaches’ education. Today’s HMSA Kaimana Coaches Clinic in Lihue was part of a series of clinics being conducted this month across the state.

On June 25, the annual HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program ceremony was held at the Hawaii Prince Hotel on Oahu, where Hawaii’s top schools received awards and outstanding athletes from across the state were awarded scholarships.

About HMSA

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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