Posted on: Friday, May 2, 2003

DOE recognizes top employees

Advertiser Staff

Waikiki Elementary's Valerie D'Amato yesterday was named the Department of Education's Employee of the Year.

D'Amato is the school's parent/community networking center coordinator and has been a state employee for 12 years. She received a $200 award and is the department's nominee for the Governor's Award for Distinguished State Service.

The DOE yesterday also presented its Sustained Superior Performance awards to: June Char, school administrative services assistant, Kalaheo High; Esther Gandeza, custodian, Kaua'i complex office; Don Okuno, power mower operator, Operations and Maintenance section, Kaua'i; Gertrude Oshiro, clerk typist, Moanalua High; Jennifer Watanabe, school administrative services assistant, Pearl City High; and Kathryn Yanagisawa, secretary, Hawai'i complex office.

Awarded Certificates of Achievement for outstanding contributions to improve government service were: Judy Belisario, school baker and temporary cafeteria manager, Hale'iwa Elementary; Valerie Daoang, school administrative services assistant, Kapolei High; Wayne Goto, accountant, Business Services branch; Peggy Heisman, clerk typist, Volcano School of Arts and Sciences charter school; Catherine Pang, school food services manager, Mokulele Elementary; Mel Seo, auxiliary services specialist, Safety and Security Services section; and Gayle Sugita, principal, Kaiser High.

The Team Excellence Award of Merit went to the Positive Behavior System Team from Maunaloa Elementary on Moloka'i. Members are Kalani Pagan, Liko Mawae, Kim Pagan, Elly Mae Abafo, Kari Tilini, Steve Clark and Patty Kuwaye.