Blind vendor earns
$6.1M Navy contract
James "Ted" Chinn, a blind vendor, was awarded a five-year, $6.1 million contract from the United States Navy to operate its Kunia Galley cafeteria at Schofield Army Barracks.
Chinn was trained under the Ho'opono branch of the state Department of Human Services' Vocational, Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division.
This is the second food service contract the Navy awarded to Chinn and his staff. In 2002, the Navy recognized Chinn for outstanding performance as a civilian food service manager.
"Ted is an inspiration to the blind community and a great example of what an individual can accomplish with teamwork, perseverance and a can-do attitude," said DHS director Lillian Koller.