The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has named a Hawai'i business a winner of the Blue Ribbon Small Business Award for its dedication to excellence in entrepreneurship.

Environmental Waste Management Systems Inc. was one of 55 small businesses from across the country that were named Blue Ribbon winners yesterday. The award, which is sponsored by Sam's Club, honors businesses that excel in a variety of categories, including financial performance and business history, staff training and motivation, community involvement, customer service, and business planning.

Harold Nagato, president of Environmental Waste Management Systems, said he was honored to be named a Blue Ribbon winner. Nagato developed a septic tank system that safely discharges treated wastewater into the ground.

"It's been a slow process, but it's been a progressive process and just to be honored on a national level gives me a good feeling about what we've been doing," Nagato said. "And the people that have been supporting us, without them we couldn't be where we're at."

Winners will be honored at the Small Business Summit April 16-18 in Washington, D.C. Nagato's company also is in the running for the U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year Award.