As graduation lei begin to dry out and summer winds down, many of Hawai‘i’s newest high school graduates are preparing for college. For 15 outstanding students from across the state, the HMSA Kaimana Scholarship Program is helping them make that transition a little easier. Now in its 21st year, the program honors graduates who have excelled in academics, athletics, community service, and healthy activities while making a positive impact on their schools and communities.
Scholarship recipients are selected from a competitive pool of applicants from across the state. In addition to academic achievements in the classroom, this year’s recipients demonstrated leadership, dedication, and a commitment to serving others through their involvement in school activities, athletics, and community programs.
Each recipient receive $5,000 to help support their higher education journey, including expenses such as tuition, books, computers, and room and board. Scholarship recipients were chosen by a selection committee that carefully evaluated applicants based on their accomplishments, character, and overall contributions to their schools and communities. This year, the program welcomed even more applicants by expanding eligibility to those who participated in any school or club sport during high school. Previously, applicants had to participate in a school league-sanctioned sport to be eligible.
The scholarship selection committee included Katie Chang, executive director, Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders; Jenn Diesman, senior vice president of government policy and advocacy, HMSA; Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, director, community and cultural relations, Hawaiian Airlines; Dave Reardon, sports columnist, Honolulu Star-Advertiser; and Steve Uyehara, anchor, Hawaii News Now.
Recognizing Hawai‘i’s future leaders
The Kaimana Class of 2026 was honored at a celebration held at Oahu Country Club, where scholarship recipients were joined by family members, educators, and other school representatives who have helped guide them along the way. Dr. Mark Mugiishi, HMSA's chief executive officer, and Jenn Diesman, HMSA’s senior vice president of government policy and advocacy, presented the scholarships during the ceremony, recognizing the students’ achievements and celebrating their bright futures ahead.
From left, row 1: Vera Wang, Maria Pineda, Giselle Minez-Cruz, Soleil Soares, Aysha Pham, Zaira-Marley Marcellino. Row 2: Jeremiah Jacinto, Joseph Abreu, David Braman, Wes Yamaguchi, Anna Steed.
Class of 2026 recipients
This year’s Kaimana scholars include:
Hawaii County
- Giselle Minez-Cruz – Kealakehe High School
- Aysha Pham – Mākua Lani Christian Academy
Honolulu County
- Joseph Abreu – Saint Louis School
- Sahana Ahmed – Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
- Mia Ha Rozewski – Pearl City High School
- Zaira Marley Marcellino – Hālau Kū Māna Public Charter School
- Maria Pineda – Pearl City High School
- Soleil Soares – Le Jardin Academy
- Anna Steed – Kapolei High School
- Vera Wang – Henry J. Kaiser High School
- Wes Yamaguchi – Punahou School
Kauai County
- David Braman – Kaua‘i High School
- Brynn Lee Hirata – Waimea High School
Maui County
- Jeremiah Jacinto – Baldwin High School
- Timika McLaurin – Moloka‘i High School
Learn more about the HMSA Kaimana Scholarship Program and this year's recipients at hmsa.com/kaimana.
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Christina Rivera, college and career counselor at University Laboratory School, shares advice on how to apply for and win scholarships to help make paying for college a little easier.
celebrating 20 years of kaimana scholarships: where are they now?
Take a look back at two decades of excellence and see where past scholarship recipients are today.
kaimana: a legacy in the making
Learn how the Kaimana Scholarship Program continues to support former recipients as they follow their passions, build their futures, and carry its legacy forward.
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See how HMSA marked the 20th anniversary of the Kaimana Scholarship Program and reflected on memorable moments from the program’s history.
