The University of Hawaiʻi Alumni Association presented its trio of service awards during UH Mānoa Homecoming 2011 festivities.

“Our success as an organization would not be possible without the continued support of our chapters, partners and communities,” says Alvin Katahara, UHAA executive director, who joined UHAA officers in presenting the awards.

Community Service

UHAA President Douglas Inouye, left, and Executive Director Alvin Katahara, right, present the award to Chevron’s Albert Chee Jr. and Carina Tagupa

The 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award was presented to Chevron Hawaiʻi in recognition of its outstanding support of UHAA’s mission and the University of Hawaiʻi during halftime of the Homecoming football game on Oct. 22.

Chevron Hawaiʻi sponsors numerous collegiate scholarships for students enrolled full-time at the UH Mānoa College of Engineering, Shidler College of Business and School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

As a diamond level sponsor of Mānoa Athletics, Chevron’s involvement spans many sports, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. Chevron sponsors the annual football camp dinner, installed the Taraflex floor at the Stan Sheriff Center for volleyball and has provided much-needed rehabilitation equipment for athletic trainers.

Chevron Hawaiʻi also supports many more programs throughout the state, improving the quality of life in the islands.

Chapter of the Year

UHAA President Douglas Inouye presents award to UHAA-East President Karen Liu as chapter Secretary David Liu, left, and UHAA Executive Director Alvin Katahara hold the chapter banner

The 2011 Chapter of the Year Award and a chapter banner were presented to the UHAA–East Chapter at the Wahine volleyball match on Oct. 23.

The award recognizes the chapter’s outstanding support for UHAA’s mission and the University of Hawaiʻi.

Connecting UH alumni and friends on the East coast since 1989, UHAA–East participates in the Annual Hawaiʻi Potluck Picnic in Central Park, an event bringing together more than 300 people from New York City’s Hawaiian community for ono food, hula and Hawaiian music. The alumni chapter hosts receptions to share Hawaiian culture and to highlight the achievements and expertise of UH alumni in and around the New York area.

This past year, the chapter and its volunteers made the UHAA Road Warrior football tailgate at West Point possible.

Partner of the Year

UHAA Vice President Patrick Oki, left, and UHAA Executive Director Alvin Katahara present the award to Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, Hawaiian Airlines senior manager for government and community relations

The 2011 Partner of the Year Award was presented to Hawaiian Airlines during the Wahine volleyball match on Oct. 21 for Hawaiian’s outstanding commitment to supporting UHAA’s mission to promote the University of Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiian Airlines has been a UHAA benefit partner for six years, providing members with discounts on online airfares. The company has also been a loyal supporter of the annual UHAA Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner and many other association and chapter events.

Hawaiian Airlines has led U.S. carriers in on-time performance for the last seven years and is ranked as the number one domestic airline serving Hawaiʻi by several top consumer travel surveys. Now in its 82nd year of continuous service, Hawaiian provides 150 daily jet flights between the Hawaiian Islands and is the largest provider of nonstop passenger service to Hawaiʻi from the continental U.S., South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti.

Tags: alumni, UH Alumni Association, UH Manoa, Vol. 36 No. 3