University of Hawaii employees nominated for the 2005 Governor's Awards for Distinguished State Service

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Arlene Abiang, (808) 956-5637
Mia Noguchi, (808) 956-9095
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Aug 30, 2005

The University of Hawaiʻi has selected its employee and employee team to be nominated for the 2005 Governor‘s Awards for Distinguished State Service. They will compete with employees from other government agencies for statewide honors to be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, October 8, at the State Capitol.

John Awakuni, fiscal officer with the Library Service Fiscal Office, is the university‘s representative for Employee of the Year. The Library Services Fiscal team of John Awakuni, Nora Goya, Jane Kageura, Audrey Nishioka and Faith Tanaka, was nominated for the Team Excellence Award of Merit.

Awakuni was selected to represent UH as Employee of the Year for his dedication and service to the library. His depth of knowledge, as well as his initiative and resourcefulness, has enabled him to manage a variety of impromptu tasks all while managing the library‘s day-to-day business in the aftermath of the October 30, flood. Awakuni effectively guided and advised the library in the recovery by coordinating the purchasing, documentation and execution of tasks. Colleagues say, "his genuine caring attitude, meticulous attention to detail, tireless dedication and sheer perseverance, make him one of the true heroes of the university."

The Library Services Fiscal team of John Awakuni, Nora Goya, Jane Kageura, Audrey Nishioka and Faith Tanaka was nominated for their outstanding work and significant contribution to furthering the libraries‘ mission to acquire and make unique research materials accessible to scholars. They have demonstrated creativity in achieving cost savings and accomplishing complex financial transactions on behalf of the library‘s special collections. Nominators say "their efforts during the flood recovery process are an inspiration to all and yet demonstrate the standard dedication and service which they apply at all times."

The State seeks nominations for the annual Governor‘s Awards for Distinguished State Service each year. They are part of the State‘s employee recognition and incentive program administered by the Department of Human Resources Development to honor executive branch employees who exemplify the highest standards of public service and dedication to serving the people of Hawaii.

About the University of Hawaiʻi

Established in 1907 and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Hawaiʻi is the state‘s sole public system of higher education. The UH System provides an array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and community programs on 10 campuses and through educational, training, and research centers across the state. UH enrolls more than 50,000 students from Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and around the world. For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu.