For the second time in three years, Hawaii Baptist Academy received the Kaimana Award as the top school in its league and division. The awards program, sponsored by the Hawaii Medical Service Association, recognizes school excellence based on four criteria: academics, athletics, community service, and sportsmanship. Each school earns points based on its athletics participation, championships won, athletes' grade point averages, and community service hours accrued by the total student body. Schools have points deducted in the sportsmanship category if their athletes or coaches are cited for various negative behaviors.
Representing the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (Oahu's private schools), HBA won the division II first place award (out of 17 total schools). HBA also finished first in 2006 and second last year and is the only ILH division I or II school to be recognized all three years of the program.
Athletic director Deren Oshiro was on hand to receive the award at the Kaimana Awards luncheon banquet June 14, 2008 at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel. All told, HMSA presented over $70,000 in awards and scholarships to the winning schools and to the 21 student-athletes representing all five interscholastic leagues from across the state. HBA received a $1,500 check and a rock and crystal trophy.
The keynote speaker was former Hawaii sports journalist and current ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett.
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