Kaimana Awards Celebrating 10th Anniversary

By MauiNow Staff

The 10th annual HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program for Hawaii high school seniors graduating in 2015 is officially open to all interested individual applicants.

The Kaimana Scholarships are based on the student’s athletic and academic achievement, sportsmanship and community involvement. HMSA will award up to 15 scholarships valued at $5,000 each.

“This is the 10th anniversary of the Kaimana Scholarship program, and each year we’re astounded by the quality of applicants,” said HMSA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Gold.

There are two parts to the program:

*   HMSA Kaimana Awards for schools.

*   HMSA Kaimana Scholarships for student athletes

Awards for schools

The HMSA Kaimana Awards recognize Hawaii high schools for all-around excellence.  All high schools participating with Hawaii’s five interscholastic leagues are eligible for an HMSA Kaimana Award.

Schools earn points for their students’ athletic achievements, academic performance, sportsmanship, healthy activities, and service to the community.

Scholarships for student athletes

Image courtesy HHSAA.

Each year, the winning students and schools are honored at a special luncheon that includes local celebrity guest speakers.

“Kaimana” is the Hawaiian word for diamond, a symbol that aptly represents this multifaceted program. The Kaimana Award is a crystal trophy with diamond-like features.

Applicants must be Hawaii high school seniors graduating in 2015 with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.75 in their senior year. They must also have played on a league-recognized team during at least one of their high school years. Special focus will be on student athletes in lower-profile sports.

Student athletes must submit a completed application, a short essay on their high school experience and plans after high school, two letters of recommendations from faculty members, and verification of their GPA in writing by a member of the school faculty.

Applications are available at www.hmsa.com/kaimana and on the Hawaii High School Athletic Association website at www.sportshigh.com. Applications must be submitted to HMSA by 4 p.m. Feb. 13.

Scholarship recipients will be notified in writing in April and will be recognized at the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program luncheon in June at the Hawaii Convention Center.

For more information, visit www.hmsa.com/kaimana or call Tai Matsuoka at 952-7989 on Oahu.