Awards
Advertiser Staff
Kelly Hill noted for leadership
At age 16, Kelly Hill was lured into prostitution. During the next seven years she endured severe depression, suicide and drug addiction.
After turning her life around, she founded and continues to serve as adviser to Sisters Offering Support, a nonprofit organization based in Hawai'i and now in Los Angeles, which works to stop commercial sexual exploitation of women and children.
Hill, who now splits her time between Honolulu and Los Angeles, recently received one of 10 Outstanding Young Americans Awards, which recognize the best, brightest and most inspirational leaders.
"Kelly is helping thousands of women and teens escape prostitution and domestic violence by giving them the support and the options they need to achieve their dreams for a better life," said actor Andrew Shue, whose Do Something organization and Rolling Stone magazine recently named Hill as Americans' Best Young Community Leader. "Kelly is a powerful example of how each of us can turn adversity into strength and dedicate ourselves to helping people in need."
Her efforts through SOS have resulted in 85 percent of her clients escaping and remaining free from prostitution and domestic violence. Her legislative advocacy has helped create three state laws providing additional rights and new protections for victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
"I believe the most powerful tool for change is to inspire others by leading by example," Hill said. "I hope that people look at me and hear my story and know that no matter what adversity you are facing, you can be anything, do anything and achieve anything you put your mind to."
Kellan Kubo to D.C. conference
• Kellan Kubo of Honolulu has been selected to attend the National Young Leaders Conference July 29 in Washington, D.C. She will participate in leadership skill-building activities and a role-playing activity called "If I Were President." Kubo will interact with leaders and newsmakers from the three branches of government, the media and the international community.
Keiki coloring winners named
• Winners of the eighth annual Keiki "Color a Historic Building" Contest sponsored by Historic Hawai'i Foundation are: Rayna Nakao, Sage Long, Christopher Tsang, Eugene Kim, Max Nakamoto, Sam Kurpis, Kian Quinlan, Sali Lei Morioka, Cara Kamehiro, Brian Blevins, Seanna Pieper-Jordan, Amber Oda, Devin Blake and Daniel Kirnbauer.
Professors honor Mink
• Congresswoman Patsy Mink has been honored by the American Association of University Professors with the Henry T. Yost Congressional Recognition Award for 2002.
Her selection was based on her efforts to defeat legislation that would compromise the integrity of federal student aid and for her longstanding support for students and the higher education community.
Toast raised to Tomimbang
• District 49 Toastmasters have presented their 2002 Communication and Leadership Award to island personality Emme Tomimbang.
The award is presented to someone who is not a member of Toastmasters who has made major contributions in Hawai'i in communication and leadership.
Through her TV specials, "Emme's Island Moments," she has shared experiences of Hawai'i.
