Waialua Teens Win HMSA Kaimana Grants
Two Central Oahu high schools and two students were among the 61 recipients who were recognized by the 2014 HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program.
Waialua High School students Amber Alejandro and William Blaser III were among the $3,000 Student Scholarship winners.
Alejandro, who will study criminal justice at Sacramento State, is active in YMCA Youth Government, Special Olympics and Leo Club, when she’s not playing soccer, softball or volleyball. Blaser III focused on Bulldog Robotics teamwork, North Shore Political Forum and bon dances. He participates in tennis, golf, basketball and air riflery and will study mechanical engineering at UH Manoa …
The awards ceremony and luncheon June 14 at Hawaii Convention Center was attended by principals, athletic directors, students, and family members to honor Hawaii’s top high schools and the finest scholar-athletes.
“The students and the schools we’re honoring understand the value of giving back to our communities,” stated Elisa Yadao, HMSA’s senior vice president of Consumer Experience.
“In addition to the countless hours they worked to excel academically and athletically, they all made time to make a difference and give back.
“These are young people making positive change in the world, and we want to do whatever we can to help them because that’s the best way to create healthy, vibrant communities.”
The Kaimana program, which was established in 2005, recognizes all-around accomplishments by high schools and rewards individual student athletes with scholarships. It’s sponsored by HMSA and administered by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
Thirty high schools were recognized for achieving the highest program scores in their league and division in athletics, academics, sportsmanship and community service.
The 10 highest-scoring schools received checks for $1,500. In total, $88,000 was awarded to the schools and students.
Mililani High School was judged the top OIA Red school, and Waialua High took second among OIA Blue schools.
Emcees were KGMB Sunrise news anchor Steve Uyehara and Pali Momi Medical Center’s director of philanthropy Liz Chun.
Guest presenters included Robert Kekaula, Ron Mizutani Dave Reardon, Dana Takahara-Dias and Dave Vinton.
