From left: Chapter president Carol VanCamp; Russell Oda; Gregg Taketa (’73–’75 Hilo; BBA ’77 Mānoa); Ronald Ibarra (’66–’68 Hilo; BBA ’70 Mānoa); Gerald De Mello, UHH director of university relations (MA ’73 Mānoa); Yu Yok Pearring, UHH marketing and alumni relations director (BBA ’85 Hilo); and Wayne Subica (BS ’78 Hilo)

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Alumni and Friends Association hosted its 11th Annual Distinguished Awards Banquet Feb. 25, 2011.

The 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are Ronald Ibarra, Third Circuit chief judge; Gregg Taketa, CPA and partner in accounting firm Taketa, Iwata, Hara and Associates; and Wayne Subica, community historian and author.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to architect Russell Oda.

A highlight of the evening was recognition of the Class of 1971, marking the 40th anniversary of the first UH Hilo baccalaureate degrees, conferred on 37 individuals May 22, 1971.

Proceeds from the event benefit the UH Hilo Alumni and Friends Association scholarship fund.

Tags: alumni, Distinguished Alumni Award, UH Alumni Association, UH Hilo, Vol. 36 No. 2