University of Hawai'i President David McClain recently announced nominees for the 2007 Governor's Awards for Distinguished State Service.

The awards, administered by the state Department of Human Resources Development, include: Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year and Team of Excellence Award of Merit.

The UH nominee for Employee of the Year is Milton Yamasaki, an agricultural research technician at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawai'i County. Yamasaki oversees five West Hawai'i county research stations as a farm manager, ensuring the well-being of a herd of more than 200 head of beef cattle and providing 24-hour security. In the aftermath of the October 2006 earthquakes, Yamasaki immediately began addressing research station needs at Mealani, Lalamilo, Hamakua, Kona and Kainaliu. He has been instrumental in the market expansion of Hawai'i grass-raised beef.

The UH selection for the Manager of the Year is Gene Awakuni, chancellor of UH-West O'ahu. He was selected for his work in facilitating the transition of UHWO toward its new campus and a full, four-year curriculum. Awakuni works at all levels of both physical and academic planning for the new UHWO campus at Kapolei and has been instrumental in the addition of the career development and job placement center and an expanded writing center, among other new functions and positions.

This year's UH pick for the TEAM award includes: Roxanne Bega, O'ahu; Theresa Fernandez, Maui; Alicia "Kehau" Keller, O'ahu; Jodi Leslie, Kona, Hawai'i; and Linda Martinez. All are program assistants in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. They are nominated in recognition of the collaborative efforts and significant contributions in providing basic nutrition, food safety and family resource management. The program services limited-resource families with school-aged children within the communities where they reside.

UH nominees receive a $300 award and Board of Regents recognition. They will be also honored at a fall awards ceremony at which statewide winners will be announced.

$10,000 GRANT FOR CHAMINADE LIBRARY

American Savings Bank recently awarded Chaminade University a $10,000 grant through the Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation to help fund its Sullivan Family Library laptop computer loan program.

The grant will be applied toward the purchase 12 laptop computers for Chaminade University's Sullivan Family Library. The library, now under construction, is scheduled for dedication in April. The new 30,000-square-foot library will be equipped with wireless access points and a wireless network.

The HEI Charitable Foundation, funded by the shareholders of Hawaiian Electric Industries, awards grants to nonprofit groups focusing on education, family services, and environmental and community development matters.

ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATING AND WIN BIG

The Love Your Veggies Nationwide School Lunch Campaign offers a $10,000 grant to one school in every state that uses creative ways to encourage children to eat healthful meals.

The campaign, which got under way yesterday, is sponsored by Hidden Valley in conjunction with the School Nutrition Association and the Produce for Better Health Foundation's Fruits and Veggies: More Matters program.

Schools interested in applying for the grants can visit www.loveyourveggiesgrants.com. The grants must be used to support increasing student access to fresh fruits and vegetables and getting children excited about eating them. The grant must also help fund equipment toward a vegetable station as well as nutrition training for school faculty and staff.