Eight women were recognized last week for their contributions as military spouses.

Susan Panaro (Air Force), Lisa McCafferey (Army), Cereto Bean (Coast Guard), Lancia Stewart (Marines), Shilo Phelchat (Navy), Florrenda "Pua" Adona-Duropan

(Hawai'i Air Guard), Caroline Tumpap (Hawai'i Army Guard), and Gayle Hammerstrom (Special Operations Command) were named Hawai'i's outstanding military spouses for 2008.

They were presented with certificates of appreciation from the state by Rep. Mark Takai, D-34th (Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City, Waimalu) in a ceremony at Honolulu Hale hosted by Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

Recipients of this year's awards have functioned as the volunteer communication and organizational focal point for units that were or still are deployed in combat operations.