Posted on: Sunday, November 14, 2004
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Japan's emperor bestows honors
Advertiser Staff
Two Hawai'i community leaders have been honored by the emperor of Japan for their contributions to Japan-U.S. relations.
Walter Dods Jr., Hawai'i chairman of the Japan-Hawai'i Economic Council, and Joyce Tsunoda, former senior vice president of the University of Hawai'i, were named to receive Japanese imperial decorations.
Dods received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for "the promotion of friendship and economic exchange between Japan and the United States," according to an announcement from the Consulate-General of Japan.
He will retire at the end of the year as chief executive officer of BancWest Corp., and its subsidiary, First Hawaiian Bank.
Tsunoda was tapped to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
"Dr. Tsunoda contributed to the promotion of academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States," according to the announcement.
Two city employees were honored last week for outstanding work in computer information systems and security training.
Lyann Okada, a Board of Water Supply engineer, was named City Employee of the Year for creating a user-friendly Geographic Information System application for the agency.
The Web-based application, known as Honolulu Online Utilities, interfaced three critical systems and became an award-winning program that helps the agency better serve the community, officials said.
Police Capt. Paul S. Epstein was named Manager of the Year for developing and implementing programs that trained police officers in homeland security skills.
Epstein is the Honolulu Police Department's Civil Defense coordinator and representative for the city's Emergency Operations Center for natural disasters. The training included hazardous materials awareness and recognizing and responding to terrorist attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials.
HILO, Hawai'i — 'Anuenue Playground at Waimea Park will be closed today and tomorrow for repairs and regular oiling.
Waimea Outdoor Circle is calling for volunteers to help with the cleanup of the playground today starting at 9 a.m.
The project will include repairs to the wooden play structure, graffiti removal and spreading of wood chips donated by Jacunski's Complete Tree Service.
The Rotary Club of North Hawai'i donated the oil, according to the Big Island Department of Parks and Recreation.
For more information, contact Arlene Block, president of the Waimea Outdoor Circle at 885-5210.
HILO, Hawai'i — The task force groups of the organization "Solutions: Neighborhoods In Action" will have a video conference tomorrow to discuss three issues.
The Traffic Task Force will meet from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to discuss "Speeding In Neighborhoods" and a community flier. For more information, contact Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or e-mail konalil@hawaii.rr.com. The Animal Control Task Force will meet from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. to continue work on proposed animal control ordinances and an informational brochure. For more information contact Nancy Zorn at 328-9931 or nzzorn2@kona.net. The Property Crimes Task Force will meet from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to discuss burglary, theft and vandalism awareness. The contact is Lil Beaufrere at 325-0039 or e-mail konalil@hawaii.rr.com. The meeting rooms will be the West Hawai'i mayor's office and the Big Island prosecutor's Hilo office.
For more information, visit the Solutions Web site at www.solutionsislandhawaii.com.
Students looking for college scholarships can now use the Hawai'i Scholarship Search from College Connections Hawai'i.
The free search tool contains more than 300 Hawai'i-specific scholarship opportunities ranging from $200 to full scholarships. Some scholarships are based on financial need, while others are based on merit in academics, athletics or other achievements.
The tool allows users to search according to several criteria, including ethnicity, college major, residence, high school and grade point average.
The database combines scholarships from the Hawai'i Community Foundation, the state Department of Education, the University of Hawai'i system, Kamehameha Schools and other sources.
The search tool is available at www.collegeconnections.org.
Students at 25 high schools will have special celebrations on Wednesday as part of "Gear Up Scholars Day."
The event celebrates the enrollment of 1,700 high school freshmen who have pledged to prepare for college.
More than 5,600 students are enrolled in the Gear Up Scholars Program, which encourages more of Hawai'i's youth, particularly those in low-income communities, to prepare for college.
Two city employees recognized
Playground to be fixed at Waimea
'Solutions' group meets on Big Isle
Scholarship database online
College prep event this week
