HONOLULU — Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA) announced today that applications for the 22nd annual Kaimana Scholarship Program are now open. Each year, HMSA honors Hawaii high school seniors for excellence in academics and community service.

Scholarship applications are available online to graduating high school seniors. HMSA will award 15 students scholarships of $5,000 each. New this year, students are no longer required to participate in a sport to be eligible. Students who plan to pursue a career in health care are strongly encouraged to apply.

“Hawaii’s students have the talent, compassion, and drive to help shape a brighter future for our communities,” said HMSA CEO Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. “The Kaimana Scholarship recognizes their hard work, service, and commitment to helping others. We especially encourage students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care to apply as we invest in the next generation of leaders who will help build a healthier Hawaii.”

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Graduate from a Hawaii high school in 2027 with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, verified by a transcript submitted by a school faculty member.
• Be involved in community service and school activities.
• Write a personal statement and essay.
• Provide two letters of recommendation from school faculty, mentors, or coaches.

Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, school fees, books, on-campus room and board, computers, and other education-related expenses. Scholarship use is subject to National Collegiate Athletic Association rules and regulations for recipients who participate in collegiate sports.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by email in April 2027. Recipients will be invited to the HMSA Kaimana Scholarship luncheon in June 2027, where they’ll be recognized for their achievements.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and apply, visit hmsa.com/kaimana. All applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, 2027.

About HMSA

Caring for the people of Hawaii is HMSA’s promise and 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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VISUALS

To access photos and video footage of last year’s student scholarship recipients, use the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UC1Fk9BZqsw0ZJVMc1OTXvGuuN9WMS_x?usp=sharing. For courtesy, please credit HMSA.