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UH Manoa Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service

Service Award Winner

Eunice Domingo, headshot

Eunice Domingo

Eunice Domingo, the civil service award winner, started working as a clerk steno at the Hawai‘i County’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) in 1991. She became the department’s secretary in early 1996. Domingo’s coworkers were unanimous in raving about her positive attitude, knowledge, efficiency and good nature.

CTAHR maintains three extension offices, eight agricultural research stations, two research laboratories and several outreach sites shared with other agencies. As secretary, Domingo is responsible for personnel matters and maintains expenditure records for faculty research for the facilities’ 82 employees. Remarkably, she also continues her duties as a clerk steno since her previous position was never filled.

Wayne Nishijima, interim county administrator and Domingo’s supervisor, credits her with keeping him "out of trouble." "Although I try to minimize her work load by doing my own letters, she maintains my calendar, makes all of my travel arrangements and keeps track of deadlines. She is extremely efficient and anticipates my travel needs such as a car, parking pass, hotel room and even reminds me of appointments." Nishijima wrote. "I would hate to think about losing her!"

Instead of being overwhelmed by her many duties, Domingo approaches her work with enthusiasm. She is credited for establishing "gung ho" sessions. She decorates the office during holidays, hosts luncheons and volunteers to lead the office food drive. Little things like thank yous, words of encouragement and goodies in mailboxes remind everyone that someone cares. More accurately, it reminds everybody how lucky they are to work with Domingo.

"Domingo is genial, generous and outgoing to employees and visitors alike," wrote Ruth Niino-Duponte, a research associate at CTAHR. "She makes sure we celebrate our successes, big or small. Eunice is also often the first to extend words of comfort or encouragement to others despite facing her own personal challenges."

The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service honors Manoa staff members who demonstrate outstanding work performance, service and leadership. Criteria include record of competence and efficiency, exceptional contribution in the attainment of program objectives, creative solutions to difficult problems, integrity and dedication to the mission of a program.