• Vanita Rae Smith, long-time producer-director of Hawai'i's Army Community Theatre, has received the David C. Bryant Outstanding Service Award from the American Association of Community Theatres in recognition of significant service to community theater in America.

Smith received the honor at an awards luncheon in New York at Sardi's. Smith recently opened the Army Community Theatre's 66th season with the Broadway hit musical "Oliver."

• Ruth Ota has been named recipient of the 2008 AAP Child Health Advocate Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The award acknowledges the accomplishments of advocates and government officials who have served as a voice for children in the state and local government arenas.

Ota was a state public health nurse for 37 years and chief of the Public Health Nursing Branch for 14 years.

• State Sen. Rosalyn "Roz" Baker of Maui recently received the Mauka Makai Award from the Cancer Research Center of Hawai'i for her contributions to the progress of cancer research, treatment and education.

Baker is a 32-year cancer survivor and healthcare advocate. She is the author of the Cigarette and Tobacco Tax law, which increased taxes on cigarettes to deter smoking and provided funding for the Cancer Research Center's planned comprehensive cancer research facility in Kaka'ako.

• Miles Nakahara, a state Department of Land and Natural Resources wildlife biologist, has been named the 2007 Outstanding Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International.

Nakahara was cited for outstanding contributions to DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, where he also serves as fire management commander on the West Hawai'i branch wildfire management team. He has also established strong working relationships with government and private agencies on the Big Island to facilitate effective responses in emergencies.

• Linda Maeno, an information technology specialist, has been named a recipient of the 2008 University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu Chancellor's Award.

The award recognizes a civil service or administrative, professional and technical employee for outstanding performance.