Maintenance Award Winner

2013
James Yamaguchi

James “Kimo” Yamaguchi is a facilities manager at the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu

Yamaguchi played a central role in planning and preparing the UH West O‘ahu campus for its transition from Pearl City to Kapolei. He met frequently with architects to discuss specific details of each building and he oversaw the installation of fixtures, equipment and furniture at the brand new campus. Yamaguchi also worked closely with the interim library director to set up the UH West O‘ahu library building, and with very little staff.

Yamaguchi is commended for juggling a variety of duties and big projects and working long hours and on weekends. He is always focused, professional and determined and keeps his sense of humor in tact.

Now that UH West O‘ahu is open and running smoothly, Yamaguchi has turned to maintenance and landscaping the new campus. His colleagues say his hard work, leadership and compassion for UH West O‘ahu have resulted in a truly beautiful campus that inspires creativity, reflection, peace and a commitment to learning.