Posted on: Friday, November 26, 2004

DOE award-winners honored

Advertiser Staff

The Board and Department of Education recently honored the teachers, principals and employees who have won this year's awards of distinction during a luncheon. The honorees were:

Principals of the Year — Gail Awakuni (Campbell High and National Principal of the Year), Roger Kim (Mililani Middle), and Eileen Hirota ('Ewa Beach Elementary).

Teachers of the Year — Winona Oato (Windward and State), Cynthia Bennett (Maui), Gail Anne Pottenger (Honolulu), Rene Relacion (Kaua'i), June Sheffield (Hawai'i), Tracy Taylor (Leeward), and Don Tsuha (Central).

Milken "National Educator" Awards — Clyde Hashimoto (Kalaheo Elementary) and Katherine Nakamura (Moanalua Elementary).

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching — Pascale Pinner (Hilo Intermediate, science).

"Everyday Heroes" — Sande Arakaki (Jarrett Middle), Decy Belmonte (Ahrens Elementary), Merry Blechta (Kea'au Elementary), Heidi Brown (Kahuku High & Intermediate), Lt. Col. Antoinette Correia (Farrington High), Joanne Dennis (Lahainalua High), Jeffrey Fukushima (Noelani Elementary), Barbara Fuller (Olomana School), Deira Itagaki (Mililani High), Sarah Michaelis (Kohala Middle), Janet Okamura ('Ewa Beach Elementary), Kristin Parsons (Waiakeawaena Elementary), Jan Saiki (Moanalua Middle), Melissa Speetjens (Kamakahelei Middle), and Mary Weeks (Kekaulike High).

"Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award" — Winner, Patricia Pedersen (Waipahu High). Finalists Joan Aluag (Webling Elementary), Gail Awakuni (Campbell High), Darrel Galera (Moanalua High), Vivian Hee (Jefferson Elementary), Eileen Hirota ('Ewa Beach Elementary), Roger Kim (Mililani Middle), Michael Nakano (Lahainaluna High), and Kenneth Nomura (formerly at Lihikai Elementary).

Employee of the Year — Winner, Alan Akagi (State Office of Business Services). Finalists Kristie Araki (Kane'ohe Elementary), Joann Fu (Moanalua Middle), Cathy Haraguchi (Kaumuali'i Elementary), Amy Masuhara (Jefferson Elementary), Sandra Matias (Campbell High), Bonnie Pierce (Wailuku Elementary), and Alvin Rho (West Hawai'i office).

Certificates of Achievement — Sharon Mikami (Waikiki Elementary), Betty Nakata (Jarrett Middle), and Helene Shinjo (Moanalua High).

Employee Team of the Year — Winner, Moanalua High Professional Development Team (Kenneth Fukada, Merle Harada, Robin Martin, Ellen Miyasato, Carolyn Morita, Priscilla Shimamoto, Teri Ushijima and Kathleen Yamashiroya). Finalists Kamakaheli Middle Cafeteria Staff (Rachelle Colobong, Leticia Diaz, Dean Furumoto, Brian Hasegawa, Chong "Kay" Nakagawa, Nathan Nishioka, Lydia Sone and Linda Texeira); Kapolei Middle Custodial and Cafeteria staffs (Liza Canuela, Edwin Carlos, Leonila Char, Guy Figueroa, Curtis Haida, Eddie Kato, Daryl Jean Kea, Emma Miyashiro, Barbara Moniz, Ginger Moniz, Alma Peterson and Erlinda Watson); and Waikiki Elementary Cafeteria Staff (Nelson Horio, Randall Kaaloa, Sharon Mikami, Stanley Sanchez and Paul Teruya).