Feb. 19 is the deadline for applications for 21 scholarships to be awarded this year to high school seniors in the Hawaii Medical Serv-ice Association's Kaimana Awards & Scholarship Program.

Applications are available on the HMSA Web site (hmsa.com) and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Web site (www.sportshigh.com).

Each scholarship is worth $2,000, and three outstanding recipients will receive an additional $1,000.

Winners will be selected based on athletic and academic achievement, community involvement, sportsmanship and letters of recommendation.

Applicants must be Hawaii high school seniors graduating this year with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in their senior year. They must have played on at least one of their school's athletic teams in a league-sanctioned sport during high school.

Student athletes must submit a short essay on why they think they deserve a scholarship. Applications must include recommendations from two faculty members, and the student's GPA must be verified in writing by a faculty member.

Scholarship winners will be notified in May and recognized at a luncheon June 12 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel.

HMSA began the scholarship program August 2005 to recognize outstanding all-around achievement by public or independent high school students.