Kaimana Award & Scholarship Program Recipients

HMSA would like to congratulate all Kaimana Award winners and Kaimana Scholarship recipients.

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Big Island Interscholastic Federation

Rylan Colbert

Waiakea High School

Athletic highlights: Captain of the Waiakea Cross Country Team, which won the BIIF Championships in two out of the three years he served as captain. He also ran track and field and played baseball.

Academic highlights: Represented his school’s Engineering Pathway as a student ambassador and was president of his school’s robotics team.

Community service highlights: Eagle Scout, student program leader for NexTech Hawaii's drone program, president of the Waiakea Technology Learning Center, and a youth program coordinator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp.

What’s next? Stanford University in California, in the aeronautics and astronautics department. “I hope to innovate significantly within the astronautical engineering sector,” he says. “I hope my work in space can contribute to more life-changing technologies here on Earth.”

Kamahao Halemanu

Kamehameha Schools Hawaii

Athletic highlights: Two-time BIIF champion in judo, state champion in club judo, and fifth place at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Judo State Tournament. He’s also involved in wrestling and swimming.

Academic highlights: Kamehameha Schools Hawaii student body president, National Distinguished Student Leader, and Kamehameha School’s Poo Kula Scholarship recipient every semester for all four years of high school.

Community service highlights: Involved in the Civic Engagement Advocacy Group where he supported the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Convention, coordinating logistics and content for more than 2,100 attendees and dignitaries.

What’s next? Amherst College in Massachusetts, majoring in political science. Kamahao says, “My goal is to eventually become a state politician. I aspire to represent my Native Hawaiian community and ensure that our values and issues are represented in the political arena.”

Katherine Keizer

Kealakehe High School

Athletic highlights: BIIF Championship winner in girls fastpitch softball.

Academic highlights: Maintained a 4.0 GPA through all four years of high school and member of the National Honor Society.

Community service highlights: Founded the Kealakehe Nursing Club, which supports students pursuing health care careers. President of the Kealakehe Interact Club and recipient of the Sarah Rosenberg Most Charitable Award. Served community by volunteering through her church.

What’s next? University of Hawaii at Hilo, majoring in nursing. “There’s an immense shortage of health care professionals in Hawaii and the situation is even more dire on Hawaii Island,” she says. “This community has given me so much. I feel a sense of duty to remain here and work in the hospital where I was born, to help families through some of the most difficult challenges of their lives.”

Kaimana School Winners

Small school: Parker School

Large school: Keaau High School

Interscholastic League of Honolulu

Austen Kinney

Punahou School

Athletic highlights: Competed in girls softball and bowling.

Academic highlights: One of three freshmen to win the Principal’s Award and fluent in Hawaiian language after six years of study.

Community service highlights: Founded a youth organization called the Hanawai Sisterhood to support teens in need of menstrual products. Helped pass a state law that funded free period products in public and charter schools across the state.

What’s next? Recruited to play softball at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and will major in public health and safety. She says, “As a Native Hawaiian woman with my own health issues, I’ll be able to raise awareness around autoimmune disorders and contribute to research or programs that promote early diagnosis, equitable treatment, and culturally informed health care.”

Tehana Maurice

Sacred Hearts Academy

Athletic highlights: ILH Varsity Division II champion in tennis. Competed in track and field.

Academic highlights: National Honor Society president and Hawaii Youth Sustainability Challenge participant, where her team developed climate change curriculum for elementary school students. Presented research on the connection between literacy and health at the Na Liko Naauao Science Symposium at Chaminade University.

Community service highlights: Founded the Cards for a Cause club to support pediatric cancer patients at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Volunteers with environmental nonprofit 808 Cleanups to help clean Hawaii’s beaches and natural spaces.

What’s next? University of Hawaii at Manoa, studying engineering. She says, “I hope to apply my degree in ways that align with aloha aina, contributing to a future where people and the environment harmoniously thrive.”

Shay Mc Elroy

Mid-Pacific Institute

Athletic highlights: Top goal scorer for his soccer team. Competed in volleyball, water polo, track and field, and judo.

Academic highlights: Recipient of the school’s Na Ohana Pueo award, Owl of Honor award, and inducted into the Holomua Honor Society for strong character and commitment to his school’s values. Member of the National Honor Society.

Community service highlights: President of the Mid-Pac Model United Nations club, where he wrote a 5,000-word guide for a conference on Northern Ireland. Participated in community service projects and volunteered with elementary schools.

What’s next? Boston College, studying international studies. “Through policy work, I hope to contribute to a future where Hawaii remains not only a cultural bridge, but also a figure in global conversations,” he says. “Hawaii taught me valuable lessons of fostering understanding, bridging divides, and driving meaningful change.”

Alisa Senaga

St. Andrew’s Schools – The Priory

Athletic highlights: ILH Varsity Division II winner in sailing. Competed in paddling and cross country.

Academic highlights: Jubinsky Scholar-Athlete Endowed Scholarship recipient for three consecutive years. Pacific Asian Affairs Council Club member, National Honor Society secretary, and Japanese Club president.

Community service highlights: Eagle Scout who led a project designing and building handcrafted recycling bins to encourage recycling and sustainability. Gathered $1,500 worth of donations from various companies to fund materials for the project.

What’s next? Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, majoring in biology or chemistry. “Returning to Hawaii to live and work in health care will undoubtedly come with its challenges,” she says. “But the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on my community and contribute to the growth of Hawaii’s health care workforce is one I eagerly anticipate.”

Siena Settle

Le Jardin Academy

Athletic highlights: Competed in girls swimming and water polo, and coaches at Windward Water Polo Club in Kailua, Oahu.

Academic highlights: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme graduate and founder of the Hana Pono Semester Program, which gave 40 high school students hands-on outdoor learning experience. Launched an invasive species detection and outreach program that helped organizations protect native trees in Hawaii.

Community service highlights: Junior counselor volunteer and guide at the Wild Communities Foundation, where she led a fundraising effort that collected $30,000 for environmental student scholarships.

What’s next? Stanford University in California, majoring in environmental science. She says, “Whether it’s creating livable housing, improving wastewater management, or preserving freshwater resources, I want to contribute to solutions that make it possible for young professionals to live and work in Hawaii without sacrificing financial stability.”

Kaimana School Winners

Small school: Hanalani Schools

Large school: Hawaii Baptist Academy

Kauai Interscholastic Federation

Rain Hannsz

Kapaa High School

Athletic highlights: Ranked at the top of her varsity tennis team and earned the No. 2 seed in girls singles in the KIF.

Academic highlights: Received a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academic certificate at Kauai Community College. Co-founded the school’s Climate Action Club, historian for National Honor Society, and member of Interact Club, which coordinated service projects on Kauai.

Community service highlights: Raised $500 through a campaign called “Cookies for Climates,” which helped bring awareness to environmental issues and diverted construction waste from the landfill.

What’s next? Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, majoring in engineering. She hopes to return to Kauai to give back to her community and protect its environment. She says, “My dedication to environmental engineering stems from more than just a passion, but a responsibility to the land that raised me.”

Yekaterina Morozova

Kauai High School

Athletic highlights: Competed in tennis and track and field.

Academic highlights: Passed seal of biliteracy in Russian, earned International Communication Nagoya certificate in Japanese language, Kauai High School science fair project advanced to regionals, and president of the high school PRIDE club.

Community service highlights: Member of Key Club and Teen Book Club Advisory Board, where they helped with library events. Volunteered more than 200 hours of community service with Aloha Kauai Yoga & Peace Festival, serving as lead media design manager.

What’s next? Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, majoring in business administration and design. Yekaterina says, “By mixing my artistic abilities with business, marketing, and technology, I hope to contribute to Hawaii’s creative industries by creating projects that highlight local culture, storytelling, and innovation.”

Andrew Sadamitsu

Kauai High School

Athletic highlights: Starting catcher in the 2023 Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Division II State Baseball Championship and captain of the air riflery team for three years, leading them to three district championships and winning the HHSAA State Championship title. He also played golf.

Academic highlights: Principal’s list, athletic scholar, and placed fifth in the 2024 Kauai District Science Fair. Graduated with academic honors, STEM distinction, and Career and Technical Education recognition.

Community service highlights: Volunteered at Lihue First Church, helping with renovations and infrastructure improvements on the 100-year-old building. Helped with beach cleanups and worked with the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai and Shaka Baseball, a Kauai youth nonprofit.

What’s next? Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, to study civil engineering. He says, “I want to gain the knowledge and ability to utilize the latest technology and cost-efficient strategies to aid with the island’s aging infrastructure and new housing developments to ensure our next generation can live here and experience how special our island and community are.”

Kaimana School Winner

Waimea High School

Maui Interscholastic League

Kamakanoweo Kekauoha-Schultz

King Kekaulike High School

Athletic highlights: Two-time all-star athlete, Alexander & Baldwin Sports Spotlight Athlete, and 2025 MIL champion for the varsity boys and mixed paddling division. Served as team captain for the paddling team.

Academic highlights: Made honor roll all four years of high school, Outstanding Academic Achievement Award recipient in 2022, and Upcountry Rotary Student of the Month. Will graduate from college a year early, having accumulated enough dual-credit college credits.

Community service highlights: Volunteered 500 hours with the Kahumoku Family Farms in Wailuku, where food is grown and donated using traditional Hawaiian practices. Volunteered with Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to support conservation efforts.

What’s next? University of Hawaii at Hilo, double majoring in Hawaiian studies and environmental science and minoring in agriculture. “I am pursuing environmental science because the aina is central to my Hawaiian identity,” he says. “My passion for conservation, agroforestry, and traditional agriculture was shaped by years of hands-on experience.”

Logan Oshiro

Molokai High School

Athletic highlights: Competed in high school swimming for three years, placing fifth in the 200-yard freestyle timed finals in the 2025 MIL Championship.

Academic highlights: Graduating a year early with a 4.0 GPA. President and social media manager of her school’s Health Occupations Students of America chapter. Completed a hands-on internship at John A. Burns School of Medicine.

Community service highlights: Volunteers at her local food bank and participates in environment cleanups. Member of the Molokai Environmental Sustainability Association and has volunteered at free mini health clinics in her community.

What’s next? Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, to major in biology on the pre-medicine track. “With the experiences and lessons learned from my island community, I’m prepared to face the challenges of pursuing a career in medicine,” she says.

Jacob Romero

Seabury Hall

Athletic highlights: Served as captain for his school’s cross country and track teams, competing in various championships and earning medals in cross country, paddling, and track and field.

Academic highlights: Completed 15 Advanced Placement (AP) classes, AP scholar with distinction, National Hispanic Recognition Award recipient, and National Small Town and Rural Recognition Award recipient. State qualifier in sports medicine for the Health Occupations Students of America.

Community service highlights: Served on the school student council and engages with sustainability groups focused on keeping Maui’s beaches and oceans clean. He volunteers as a youth referee for the Maui Middle School Basketball League and coaches the Valley Isle Road Runners.

What’s next? University of Washington to study mechanical engineering. He says, “From making renewable energy more affordable and accessible to the greater public to lowering construction costs with new 3D materials and design techniques, there are ways for engineers to help make Hawaii more practical for local families to stay and continue to live here.”

Kaimana School Winners

Small school: Maui Preparatory Academy

Large school: Kamehameha Schools Maui

Oahu Interscholastic Association

Tiger Ader

Pearl City High School

Athletic highlights: Competed in football and track and field. Overcame several serious injuries.

Academic highlights: First-generation college student.

Community service highlights: Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity Leeward, where he helps with community service projects supporting the west side of Oahu.

What’s next? Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, where he plans to major in health and exercise science. His goal is to support young athletes through the same challenges he faced. “I had to get treatments from orthopedics, podiatrists, sports trainers, and physical therapists,” he says. “They understood the importance of sports and what it meant to me and encouraged me emotionally when I felt defeated. My hope is to be the same support to young athletes who will experience what I had.”

Nyla Bonisa

Kalaheo High School

Athletic highlights: Paddled all four years of high school.

Academic highlights: Member of the National Honor Society, consistently made the principal’s list and honor roll. Selected for Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders Fellows Program, a year-long advanced leadership program for outstanding high school students.

Community service highlights: Served on the Hawaii State Student Council, Windward District Council, and the Kalaheo Student Council. Served as president of the Kalaheo Key Club, where she led fundraising efforts and organized community service projects. As part of Malama Lahaina, she supported students from Lahainaluna High School after the Maui wildfires.

What’s next? Awarded the Regents Scholarship and direct admission to the University of Hawaii at Manoa Shidler College of Business, where she will be double majoring in international business and management. “I am deeply committed to making our islands a better place for everyone,” she says. “Guided by the principles of aloha, I strive to lead with compassion, humility, and respect, ensuring my actions contribute positively to the global community.”

Alana Deeley

Kapolei High School

Athletic highlights: Competed in track and field, girls soft tennis, and girls tennis.

Academic highlights: Maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. Served as vice president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Go Green Club and Key Club. Completed her high school’s nursing training program.

Community service highlights: Dedicated more than 100 total hours volunteering at The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oahu in the hospital’s telemetry units and supporting community events at The Salvation Army Kroc Center.

What’s next? University of Hawaii at Manoa, majoring in nursing. She says, “My drive for success, passion for health care, and compassion for others will contribute to my success in nursing to help my community.”

Kolby Kaneko

Henry J. Kaiser High School

Athletic highlights: Served as captain of both the soccer and track and field teams. Placed fourth in the triple jump at the Eastern Division Boys Varsity Track Championships.

Academic highlights: Served as the vice president of the National Honor Society and was on the principal’s list for four years, receiving Career and Technical Education honors, and was recognized as “Most Responsible Member” of his school’s student body government.

Community service highlights: Special Olympics Hawaii volunteer throughout high school and completed over 100 hours of community service through various volunteer events. Served as a leadership ambassador who organized 30 school events a year.

What’s next? University of Hawaii at Manoa to major in biology, with plans to pursue physician assistant school. “The health care workforce in Hawaii has inspired me with its resilience, knowledge, and dedication,” he says. “Their strength and compassion have shown me the transformative power of medicine and reinforced my desire to serve others.”

Malakai Vendiola

Kahuku High & Intermediate School

Athletic highlights: Varsity baseball team captain, Kahuku High School Baseball Player of the Year, and the 2022 and 2023 Division II OIA Shortstop of the Year. Also played football through all four years of high school.

Academic highlights: Maintained a 4.0 GPA, landing on the honor roll and the principal’s list every year.

Community service highlights: Completed over 220 hours of community service with youth mentorship programs and aina-based cultural projects. Served as a Special Olympics Hawaii volunteer, supporting young athletes and promoting inclusivity through sports.

What’s next? Junior college to study computer science. He says, “I want to use my education and skills to create meaningful change. Whether it’s through technology, mentorship, or community service, my goal is to give back to Hawaii and the people who have shaped me.”

Malia Wagatsuma

Mililani High School

Athletic highlights: Captain of her school’s soccer team for three years, and club’s soccer team for four years.

Academic highlights: Maintained a 4.0 GPA and received Career and Technical Education honors. Served on the student council and Interact Club, where she was involved in leading youth activities and community service projects.

Community service highlights: Dedicated 10 years volunteering with Plant Aloha, a local nonprofit focused on community and environmental stewardship. Organized beach cleanups and collaborated with the Salvation Army and Special Olympics Hawaii.

What’s next? San Francisco State University in California to study business administration and business management, while continuing to play soccer. “I envision a future where business leaders help drive innovation and sustainability across Hawaii,” she says. “My goal is to return home with the tools and knowledge to create meaningful opportunities for both the business and health care industry.”