2026 Awards and Scholarship Gala
This year’s HAH Awards and Scholarship Gala will be held on October 24 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
Hawaii Healthcare Heroes
Steven Chau, MD
Otolaryngologist (ENT)
Kaiser Permanente
James Ham, MD
Emergency Medicine Physician
Division Chief of Emergency Medicine
Straub Benioff Medical Center/Hawai’i Pacific Health
Hawai’i Pacific Health Medical Group
Shane Y. Morita, MD, MBA, PhD, FACS, FSSO
Medical Director of Surgical Oncology & Vice Chief of Staff
The Queen’s Medical Center
Daniel Murariu, MD, MPH, MBA, FACS
Double Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Hawaii Aesthetics & Robotic Plastic Surgery
Yvonne Quidilla, RN
Staff Nurse
Kaiser Permanente
Peer Awardees
Advocacy
Matthew Koenig, MD, FNCS
Medical Director of Virtual Care
The Queen’s Health Systems
Distinguished Service
Traci Hashiro
Nursing Administrative Support
Maui Health
Executive
Lance Segawa
CEO
HHSC Kauai Region
Leadership
Kingsley Simeona
Director of Food and Nutrition Services
HHSC Kauai Region
Physician of the Year
Michael S. Firstenberg, MD, FACC, FAIM
Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Maui Health (Hawaii Heart Associates)
Professional with Heart
Audrey Grossman, RN, OCN
Registered Nurse
Kaiser Permanente
Kona Medical Office
Rose Ann Poyzer Caregiver
Christopher Solusod, COTA
Occupational Therapy Assistant
BAYADA Home Health
Legislator of the Year
Rep. Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy
Legislator of the Year
Rep. Chris Todd
Achievement in Advocacy
Senator Karl Rhoads
Scholarship Recipients
Amber Humber
Associates Degree
Maui Health
Vanessa Hernandez
Associates Degree
Kaiser Permanente
Brenna White
Baccalaureate Degree
Ohana Care Maui LLC
Caylev Obrero
Baccalaureate Degree
Kaiser Permanente
Jenna Savusa
Master’s Degree
The Queen’s Health Systems
Melissa Sotelo
Doctorate Degree
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa School of Nursing
Hawaii News Now PSA
iHeart Radio Sponsor Spots
Sponsorships
HAH still has Ruby, Emerald, and Pearl sponsorships available. The Awards & Scholarship Gala honors healthcare professionals from across Hawaii doing exemplary work in healthcare.
The event draws more than 400 guests, including state legislators, healthcare executives, and guests from other industries.
Click here to see the sponsorship levels and benefits.
If you have questions please email Jamie Velasco at jvelasco@hah.org
Mahalo Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Ruby Sponsors
Emerald Sponsors
Silent Auction and Wine Wall Donations
The Healthcare Association of Hawaii is now accepting Silent Auction and Wine Wall donations in preparation for the October 24th HAH Awards and Scholarship Gala at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. All proceeds from the Silent Auction and Wine Wall will go towards the HHERF Scholarships.
Popular items include spa gift certificates, electronics, nonperishable food items, restaurant and store gift cards, artwork, sports memorabilia or equipment, fashion items, travel gift certificates, and gift certificates for golf or other recreation.
We welcome donations of wine valued at $35 – $40 or higher for the Wine Wall.
Click here for the Silent Auction/Wine Wall donation form.
Please contact Sharie Higashionna-Ibarra at sibarra@hah.org if you have questions.
