HMSA Awarding $80K in College Scholarships

Lahainaluna High School. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Sonia Isotov

The Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA) will award 21 high school seniors with a total of $80,500 in college scholarships under its Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program in 2013,

HMSA is now accepting scholarship applications from Hawaii high school seniors graduating in 2013 and the application deadline is Feb. 15.

Kaimana Scholarships are awarded to student athletes who are role models for other students. Awards are based on the student’s athletic and academic achievement, sportsmanship, and community involvement.

“We realize the value of being well-rounded and this scholarship is unique because it celebrates that very characteristic,” said Michael A. Gold, HMSA president and chief executive officer, in a written statement.

“Each year, this program gives us the opportunity to honor outstanding young men and women who are athletic, intelligent, compassionate, and will no doubt achieve great things in the future. It’s gratifying to know that we will be able to help them along the path to success.”

Baldwin High School football. Courtesy photo.

HMSA will award 21 scholarships, valued at $3,000 each. Five distinguished recipients will be selected from the 21 honorees and will receive an additional $2,000 each.

This year HMSA will also be unveiling a new $7,500 scholarship in honor of former president and chief executive officer Bob Hiam. Details of the new scholarship will be made public at a later time.

Applicants must be Hawaii high school seniors graduating in 2013 with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) 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, 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 for download at hmsa.com/kaimana and on the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) website at www.sportshigh.com. Applications must be submitted to the HHSAA by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15.

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 Prince Hotel in Waikiki.