They're bright, they're awesome, and they're making a difference in the world. They're HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program recipients! Every year for the past 20 years, HMSA has awarded scholarships and awards to outstanding high school seniors and schools statewide. With the Kaimana class of 2025, HMSA will have invested a total of $1.62 million and awarded 361 scholarships through the program.
As HMSA celebrates 20 years of Kaimana scholarships, we look back at the history of the program and see how past recipients have become today’s leaders.
Leaving a legacy
The inaugural HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program was held in 2005. It was the same year that YouTube officially launched!
Today, the program is one of HMSA President and CEO Mark Mugiishi's favorite events of the year because it honors the best and brightest youth and is an investment in Hawaii’s greatest asset – our people.
2015 Kaimana scholarship winners.
Former HMSA President and CEO Mike Stollar and long-time HMSA employee Bill Tobin were instrumental in introducing and supporting the Kaimana program. They both retired from HMSA, but their legacy lives on.
"Mike and Bill not only played an important role in establishing the program, but in guiding the team over the years. Neither of them would want a lot of fanfare, so we’ll simply say, ‘thank you,’ to them for their vision and leadership," said Dr. Mugiishi.
Bill Tobin and Mike Stollar.
Tobin once said, "As a parent, I must add that these students are a direct reflection of their parents and family’s values. It takes good parents to raise good students."
Tobin is credited with starting the annual Kaimana awards luncheon tradition of having the audience and scholarship recipients give a round of applause to the parents, family members, and support systems in the room. It’s a heartwarming moment for recurring emcees and parents of growing children, Steve Uyehara and Liz Chun Uyehara. Uyehara is an anchor at Hawaii News Now and Chun Uyehara is the director of communications at Hawaii Pacific Health.
The Uyeharas emceeing a past Kaimana luncheon.
Where are they now?
A scholarship selection committee comprised of business and community leaders selects the Kaimana recipients from hundreds of applications each year. It’s a competitive process and a challenge to choose from the best of the best. The Kaimana class of 2025 will be announced in the spring.
From 2005 to 2024, HMSA awarded a total of 341 scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Today, those recipients are:
- Astrophysicists.
- Biomedical engineers.
- Cybersecurity specialists.
- Doctors.
- Educators.
- Engineers.
- Health care professionals.
- Information technology specialists.
- Medical students.
- Nurses.
- Ph.D. candidates.
- Physician assistants.
- Scientists.
- Veterinarians.
- White House communications professionals.
- And more!
The most recent recipients are earning their degrees at top colleges and universities. Some of the recipients are now parents themselves. We caught up with a handful of them to see what they’re up to now and how Kaimana supported their educational endeavors.
Amy Hunt (Kaimana 2009), a Mililani High School graduate, attended the University of Colorado Denver. Hunt earned a degree in international studies and went on to earn a master’s in management. Today, she works in cybersecurity and IT for the U.S. military.
Colton Manley (Kaimana 2009), a Molokai High School graduate, attended Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, Calif. Manley earned a degree in graphic design and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in organizational leadership. He recently moved back to Maui and works as the director of education for a nonprofit organization focused on aid and development work in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Lalo Respicio (Kaimana 2009), a Campbell High School graduate, attended Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo. Respicio earned a degree in radiology and is working as a radiologic technologist, performing X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other diagnostic imaging exams.
Tanaka.
Malia Tanaka (Kaimana 2009), a Konawaena High School graduate, attended Chapman University in Orange, Calif. She double majored in political science and communication studies and went on to earn an MBA with an emphasis in human resources management. Tanaka moved back home to the Big Island and works remotely as a senior human resources business partner for a cybersecurity company. She and her husband welcomed their daughter in 2024.
Chu.
Devin Chu (Kaimana 2010), a Hilo High School graduate, attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. Chu double majored in physics and astronomy and went on to receive a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics at University of California, Los Angeles. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in astrophysics at UCLA and is in the process of moving back to his hometown in Hilo.
Yamagata.
Trevor Yamagata (Kaimana 2012), a Konawaena High School graduate, attended Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. He earned a degree in biology. Today, Yamagata works on a team that designs, develops, and markets optical wear for athletes and Olympic athletes.
Tiana Grant (Kaimana 2013), a Kaleheo High School graduate, attended Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu. Grant majored in nursing and went on to earn a master’s in nursing from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot School of Anesthesia in Erie, Pa. Today, she works as a locum (substitute) anesthesiologist in New York. “My plan is to work across the U.S. experiencing every state I only dreamed about as a little kid from Oahu. One day I’ll return home to Hawaii and settle down to care for the people I love the most,” Grant shares.
Lauren Uhr (Kaimana 2013), an Iolani School graduate, attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. She earned a degree in brain and cognitive science with a minor in anthropology. Uhr obtained a medical degree at UCLA and is currently a neurology resident at UC San Francisco.
Hori.
Trent Hori (Kaimana 2014), a Maui High School graduate, attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the class of 2018. Hori earned a degree in ocean engineering. He’s commissioned as a weapon systems officer and currently flies in high performance tactical aircraft for the U.S. Navy executing real world missions like the ones you’d see in Top Gun.
Bean.
Nina Bean (Kaimana 2015), a Kaimuki High School graduate, attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Bean earned a degree in marine biology. She went on to earn a master’s in marine biology and is currently earning a Ph.D. in coral epigenetics at Florida International University in Miami.
Kikukawa.
Luke Kikukawa (Kaimana 2015), a Molokai High School graduate, attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt. Kikukawa majored in molecular biology and biochemistry. Today, he works as a research technician in New Orleans, La. He plans to return to Hawaii to start a physician assistant program in May.
Kim.
Christopher Kim (Kaimana 2015), a Maui High School graduate, attended Yale University in New Haven, Conn. He earned a degree in computer science and became interested in law along the way. Kim went on to graduate from New York University School of Law and is an associate at a litigation firm in New York.
Uehisa.
Kimberly Uehisa (Kaimana 2015), an Island Pacific Academy graduate, attended University of California, Los Angeles and earned a degree in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics, with a minor in global health. Uehisa went on to earn a master’s degree in biomedical science. She is currently earning a master’s in public health and interning with the California Department of Public Health. Uehisa is passionate about health and education and is working to establish a heart health education nonprofit. In 2023, she founded the Island Pacific Academy (IPA) Alumni Mentorship Program, which brings together IPA alumni and students.
Yamagata.
Cory Yamagata (Kaimana 2015), a Kealakehe High School graduate, attended Santa Clara University in Calif. Yamagata earned a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in aerospace engineering. Today, he works as a mechanical engineer who travels across the U.S. and internationally for work.
Anderson.
Alexa Anderson (Kaimana 2016), a Kaleheo High School graduate, attended Yale University in New Haven, Conn. She earned a degree in astrophysics and went on to earn a master’s degree in astronomy from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Anderson lives in Honolulu and expects to receive a Ph.D. in astronomy in 2026.
Wong.
Emily Wong (Kaimana 2016), a Kaimuki High School graduate, attended University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. Wong graduated with a degree in biological sciences with minors in chemistry liberal arts and sociology. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Red Rocks Community College and expects to graduate this November. “I intend to return to Hawaii after practicing rural family medicine in Colorado for a few years,” she says.
Santiago Jr.
Elray Santiago Jr. (Kaimana 2017), a Campbell High School graduate, attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. He majored in electrical engineering. Santiago is a power distribution engineer who moved back to Hawaii to support the electric utility work in the islands.
Kekaula at a previous Kaimana program luncheon.
Santiago had a special mahalo for long-time Kaimana selection committee member and beloved newscaster, Robert Kekaula, who passed away in 2021. “Mr. Robert Kekaula was the one who really pushed to help me win this award, which allowed me to further my education and professional opportunities. I want to send my aloha to the Kekaula ohana and express my deepest gratitude to the HMSA scholarship team,” he shared.
Fujita.
Michele Fujita (Kaimana 2017), a Pearl City High School graduate, attended Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Fujita majored in exercise science and completed a master’s program in medical sciences. She graduated from physician assistant school in December and hopes to move back to Hawaii to find a job in orthopedics or primary care.
Gomard.
Kiarah Gomard (Kaimana 2017), a Sacred Hearts Academy graduate, attended California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Gomard majored in animal science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. Today, she is working toward earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. “The Kaimana scholarship played a large role in supporting my initial educational journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it helped me achieve,” she shares.
Narayan.
Alexa Narayan (Kaimana 2017), a Maui Preparatory Academy graduate, attended Duke University in Durham, N.C. Narayan majored in biomedical engineering with a minor in finance. Today, she is the head of growth and strategy at a real estate technology startup in San Francisco.
Jackson.
Kailee Jackson (Kaimana 2019), a University Laboratory School graduate, attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. She earned a degree in biology. Jackson was also on the Division I women’s rowing team for Gonzaga and the team won three West Coast Conference championships during her career. After graduating from Gonzaga, Jackson briefly worked as a park ranger at Glacier National Park in Montana before moving home to Hawaii. Today, Jackson shadows physical therapists at a local clinic and works as a substitute teacher for Oahu elementary schools. She plans to complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy program and work as a physical therapist.
Pfau.
Justin Pfau (Kaimana 2019), a Pearl City High School graduate, attended Linfield University in McMinnville, Ore. Pfau earned a degree in exercise science. He’s completing a master’s degree in sports science and analytics, while working as an applied scientist intern at the University of Texas at Austin. “Overall, I am very thankful for the Kaimana scholarship as it helped with my path to get my undergraduate degree and later helped me decide that graduate school was right for me. Now, I'm working with one of the best football teams in the nation and I am thankful for all the experiences that I have,” Pfau shares.
Chow.
Catherine Chow (Kaimana 2020), a Keaau High School graduate, attended Dartmouth College. Chow earned degrees in engineering sciences and mechanical engineering. Today, she is a mechanical engineer in Honolulu. “I look so fondly back on my time at college and am extremely grateful for the HMSA Kaimana scholarship for helping to make my attendance possible,” she shares.
Bravo, Kaimana recipients! To learn more about past recipients and the Kaimana Awards & Scholarship program, visit their website.
Are you an aspiring 2025 Kaimana scholar? Scholarship applications are due Friday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. School points are due Friday, April 25. Learn more at hmsa.com/kaimana.
Keep reading
Feeling nostalgic? Read more about Kaimana winners, past ceremonies, and more:
first look: previous kaimana scholarship winners
Kaimana recipients Vinson Diep, Nina Lima, Kimberly Uehisa, and Alia Weiss share how the Kaimana program helped them in their careers.
hmsa celebrates exceptional schools and students
Take a look at the 2022 Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program luncheon.
kaimana 2024: a celebration of achievement
Excitement, pride, and gratitude filled the air during the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program luncheon at Oahu Country Club last June. See photos and a video from the event.
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