HMSA awards $75,000 in 2026 scholarships to 15 exemplary high school seniors

HONOLULU - The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) celebrated its 21st class of the HMSA Kaimana Scholarship Program at Oahu Country Club on Sunday. The awards ceremony recognized 15 outstanding 2026 Hawaii high school graduates for their achievements and all-around excellence in academics, athletics, community service, and healthy activities.

"This is one of the most meaningful events of the year for HMSA," said HMSA Chief Executive Officer Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. "It's a privilege to recognize Hawaii's best and brightest students and to reaffirm our commitment to investing in their futures as they go on to strengthen our communities."

Dr. Mugiishi and Jenn Diesman, HMSA's senior vice president of government policy and advocacy, presented the scholarships at the ceremony, which brought together students, their families, and school representatives.

The 2026 Kaimana Scholarship recipients completed an application process earlier this year and were evaluated by a scholarship selection committee. Eligible students needed to meet academic, athletic, and community service requirements. From a large pool of applicants, the committee selected 15 students to receive scholarships worth $5,000 each, which can be used to help pay for higher education, including tuition, books, computers, and room and board.

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.

The 2026 Kaimana scholars include:

Hawaii County

• Giselle Minez-Cruz - Kealakehe High School
• Aysha Pham - Makua Lani Christian Academy

Honolulu County

• Joseph Abreu - Saint Louis School
• Sahana Ahmed - Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
• Mia Ha Rozewski - Pearl City High School
• Zaira Marley Marcellino - Halau Ku Mana 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 - Kauai High School
• Brynn Lee Hirata - Waimea High School

Maui County

• Jeremiah Jacinto - Baldwin High School
• Timika McLaurin - Molokai High School

To learn more about the HMSA Kaimana Scholarship Program, visit hmsa.com/kaimana.

About HMSA

Caring for the people of Hawaii is our promise and our privilege. Working together with employers, partners, and physicians and other health care providers, we promote well-being; develop reliable, affordable health plans; and support members with clear, thoughtful guidance. Established in 1938 by social workers, HMSA is the most experienced health plan in the state. Starting in 2025, HMSA is supporting TriWest Healthcare Alliance to administer the U.S. Department of Defense's TRICARE program, providing health care for uniformed service members, their families, and survivors locally. With the addition of TRICARE, HMSA provides health care to nearly 1 million people in Hawaii. We embrace our responsibility as a recognized leader to strengthen the health and well-being of our community. Headquartered on Oahu with centers statewide to serve our members, HMSA is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

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HMSA has respectfully removed all diacritical markings from this news release for media and web formatting purposes.

PHOTOS & VIDEO: To access photos and video footage from the event as well as photos of the student scholarship recipients, use the following link: [Link forthcoming]. Please credit HMSA.