WAIKIKI - Maui County student athletes took top honors at the HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship program ceremony on June 16 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel in Waikiki.
Taylor Hori of Seabury Hall, Cheyenne Pico of Hana High School, Joni Lynne Sanchez Casio of King Kekaulike High School and Charisse Manley of Molokai High School were each awarded $3,000 scholarships. Pico and Manley were also recognized as a distinguished scholars, receiving an additional $2,000.
As the top scoring schools from the Maui Interscholastic League, Baldwin High School and Maui Preparatory Academy were each awarded $1,500.
Article Photos
HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship award winners (from left) Charisse Manley of Molokai High School, Cheyenne Kamaleionalani Pico of Hana High and Elementary School and Joni Lynne Sanchez Casio of King Kekaulike High School pose with Steve Van Ribbink, executive vice president and chief financial officer of HMSA. Not pictured is Taylor Hori of Seabury Hall.
Photo courtesy HMSA
"The HMSA Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program is the only program in the state that rewards academics and athletics as well as sportsmanship and community service," said Robert P. Hiam, HMSA's chief executive officer. The program started in August 2005, recognizes all-around accomplishments by high schools, rewards individual student athletes with scholarships, and supports coaches education. The program is sponsored by HMSA and administered by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
Twenty-two students received scholarships worth $3,000. Five of those students were named distinguished scholars and received an additional $2,000 each. 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 a check for $1,500.
The keynote address was presented by Norm Chow, head football coach for the University of Hawaii Warriors. Longtime University of Hawaii sports broadcaster Jim Leahey and KHON2 sports director Kanoa Leahey emceed the awards luncheon. Guest presenters included Fred Guzman of Pacific Radio Group's ESPN-AM Radio; Josh Pacheco of ESPN Radio; Dave Reardon of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; Steve Uyehara, news anchor with Hawaii News Now; and Dave Vinton, director of sports programming for OC-16.
