Awards
Advertiser Staff
Healthcare charity honored
The Hawaii Muscular Dystrophy Association has won an Award of Excellence as the top team of 34 in the Western Division. MDA was honored for quality client services, achieving yearly goals, more income growth through key fund-raisers, an excellent volunteer program and an active and strong executive committee.
"Health Care Services coordinator Audrey Taniguchi deserves a lot of the credit for this award," said Hawai'i District Director Kathleen Hurtubise. "She has spearheaded the expansion of the MDA clinics on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island.
In other MDA news, three people were honored at the recent "Rainbow of Hope" ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) Dinner sponsored by the association: Tony Masamitsu of the Tony Group, recipient of The Humanitarian Award; John Fujieki, president of Star Markets, recipient of The Bruce Kippel Memorial Award; and artist Peggy Chun, who received The Courage Award.
Big Island kupuna honored
The Waikoloa Foundation has selected Big Island resident and kupuna Aunty Marjie Spencer for its third annual Naupaka Award.
The long-time 'ukulele and hula teacher was chosen for perpetuating the aloha spirit and preserving Hawaiian culture. She received a trophy and $3,000 at a special celebration at Waikoloa Beach Resort.
The Waikoloa Foundation was formed to preserve and protect Hawai'i's unique culture and environment.
Volunteer of year chosen
Pauline Kawamata has been selected as the 2002 Network of Volunteer Leader of the Year. The award recognizes an individual who has made great strides in the field of volunteer program management and enhanced volunteerism in the organization and community.
Kawamata is the volunteer coordinator for the Hawai'i Nature Center. Her duties include connecting kids to nature and fostering awareness about Hawai'i. She continues to recruit volunteers for the organization and helps them to find their niche.
Kawamata is also co-chairwoman of the Network of Volunteer Leaders Education Committee and has been a major force in introducing innovative programs such as the FISH! Philosophy and Southwest Airlines' "It's So Simple" to O'ahu and Neighbor Islands members.
Verizon names award winner
A Verizon employee who keeps the company focused on meeting the needs of Asian customers has won the Corporate Achievement Award from the Organization of Chinese Americans Inc.
Deborah Lau Okamura of Honolulu was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Asian-American community.
Group manager of Asian markets in Verizon's retail markets organization, Okamura develops and implements national marketing programs for Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino and Japanese consumers. Using various media, Okamura tries to help her customers understand how communications services can help them protect their privacy and manage their time.
School honors ex-governor
Former Gov. George Ariyoshi and retired attorney Ronald Lee were honored recently by California-based Newport Asia Pacific University for their contributions to education in Ha-wai'i.
Ariyoshi, board chairman of the East-West Center, was granted a lifetime achievement award.
Lee, who last year assumed chairmanship of Chung Shan language school, received the Horace Mann Award for reviving interest in the school, recently renamed Sun Yat Sen Academy in honor of the institution's founder. There are plans to expand its academic and cultural pursuits through ties with sister campuses on the Mainland and in Asia.
NAPU, based in Newport Beach, Calif., is a pioneer in online education. It conducts Japanese language classes at the local Sun Yat Sen facility in Chinatown's Chinese Cultural Plaza.
