Jarryn Villegas (Leilehua), Lucas Gushikuma (Kauai), Christina Chow (Keaau), Lauren Uhr (Iolani), Noelani Kingery (Assets) and Michael Kikugawa (Molokai) were selected as recipients of the Kaimana Awards Distinguished Scholarships for 2013. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Clarissa Chun was the keynote speaker for the Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program luncheon. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Kauai's Lucas Gushikuma poses with Bob Hiam and Clarissa Chun after being named the inaugural winner of the Robert P. Hiam Scholarship. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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The twenty-two recipients of the 2013 HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program pose for a group picture. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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HONOLULU -- Twenty-one student-athletes and thirty high schools were recognized for academic and athletic success at the HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program awards luncheon Saturday at the Hawaii Convention Center.

More than $80,000 in scholarships was awarded to the individual recipients, who hailed from six different islands and were narrowed down from an initial applicant pool of 535 high school seniors.

Lucas Gushikuma, a recent Kauai High graduate, was honored as the inaugural winner of the Robert P. Hiam Scholarship, which is named for the former HMSA president and CEO. He will receive an additional $7,500 on top of the $3,000 given to all individual winners.

"It's a really big honor to have won this award," Gushikuma said. "It's kind of surreal, I didn't really expect it."

Gushikuma, who participated in cross country, soccer, track and field and volleyball for the Red Raiders, was selected personally by Hiam for his volunteer work with special needs children on the Garden Isle.

"What I liked about Lucas is that his community service is really something that he created that is really helping under-privileged kids and he's just got a really good heart and that's what stood out for me," Hiam said.

Gushikuma is also an AYSO soccer coach, member of the National Honor Society and serves as a worship leader at his church. He will attend the University of Portland in the Fall and intends to major in nursing.

Five other individuals were selected as recipients of $5,000 distinguished scholarships: Christina Chow (Keaau), Katy Noelani Kingery (ASSETS), Lauren Uhr (Iolani), Michael Kikukawa (Molokai) and Jaryn Villegas (Leilehua).

Chow was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Cougars' tennis team and served as captain of the cross country team this school year. Chow, who will attend Weber State, wants to become a teacher and return to Keaau. Her older brother, Jonathan, also was a Kaimana Award recipient.

Kingery participated in cheerleading, golf and volleyball for the Admirals and was involved in student government. She also volunteered as an assistant to the school nurse and as a preschool aide. She will study nursing at Chaminade.

Uhr was a first-team All-ILH paddler and also participated in track and field as well as volleyball. The valedictorian has done charitable work with the homeless and was the recipient of the Raiders' Eddie Hamada One Team Award. She will major in biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she will also play volleyball.

Kikukawa competed in cross country, swimming, tennis, golf and track and field for the Farmers. He is also participated in robotics, National History Day and was a National Merit Scholar. Kikukawa was a valedictorian of his class, student body president, served an internship at the governor's office last year and has logged more than 900 hours of volunteer service to date. He will attend Harvard and major in government.

Villegas was a captain of the Mules' football and judo teams in the Fall and Spring, respectively, and won a state wrestling championship in the Winter. Villegas, who will be the first in his family to attend college, volunteered his time playing soccer with special needs children. He will be on a football scholarship at Army, where he intends to major in engineering.

"Every year I come here and I just go away feeling like the world is in good hands," Hiam laughed. "These kids are all so bright – and the athletic part is just a piece of it – they're all into community service."

The following schools were awarded Kaimana Awards based on athletic and academic performance, as well as sportsmanship and community service: Keaau (BIIF DI), Hualalai Academy (BIIF D2), Mid-Pacific (ILH D1), Hawaii Baptist (ILH D2), Island School (KIF), Lahainaluna (MIL D1), Maui Prep (MIL D2), Mililani (OIA Red), Anuenue (OIA Blue) and Kaiser (OIA White).

The six-person selection committee was made up of Chris Chun (Hawaii High School Athletic Association Executive Director), Robert Hiam (retired HMSA president and CEO), Robert Kekaula (KITV4 Sports Director), Debbie Nakanelua-Richards (Hawaiian Airlines Senior Manager of Government and Community Relations), Elisa Yadao (HMSA Senior Vice President of Consumer Experience) and Dana Takahara-Dias (Department of Education Title IX Athletic Specialist).

It was the eighth consecutive year that HMSA has partnered with the HHSAA for the scholarship program.

"This all started as an idea that one of our staff had eight or nine years ago and it's just grown into something that's really special," said Hiam, who retired in November of last year. "It's a really good opportunity for us to recognize some really bright, energetic young people that are going to be leading this community down the road."