UH officer is employee of year
A Big Island airports manager also earns state recognition
Star-Bulletin staff
The state's employee of the year is University of Hawaii fiscal officer John Awakuni, who was "one of the true heroes" following the Manoa flash flood last October that caused millions in damage to Hamilton Library, said Gov. Linda Lingle in a news release.
Chauncey Wong Yuen, Big Island airports district manager, was named manager of the year; and the 21 staffers in the Attorney General's Office who created the state's first sex offender Web site were selected as the team of the year.
The Governor's 2005 Selection Committee chose the three winners, who exemplify the "highest caliber of public service and dedication," from 49 group and individual nominees.
Awakuni, chief financial and fiscal officer for the UH's Library Services Program, accurately and efficiently administers an annual budget of more than $13 million, Lingle said.
In the wake of the Oct. 30, 2004, flood, Awakuni successfully managed the fiscal and reporting demands and deadlines with determination and grace, she said. He guided and advised the library staff during the enormous project of having to inventory and document losses for insurance reporting.
"John's outstanding competence, tireless dedication and sheer perseverance displayed during the difficult months following the flood make him one of the true heroes on campus," Lingle said.
Wong Yuen, in his two short years as manager of the four state airports on the Big Island, has created a cohesive and motivated workforce, instituted employee and passenger safety programs, initiated plans to create a regional fire training facility, and worked with the taxi industry.
"Chauncey's networking abilities have brought first responders for aircraft/disaster control from governmental agencies and local organizations together, reviving a strong sense of ohana amongst these groups," Lingle said.
The Hawaii Criminal Justice Center's Web site team reviewed, researched and classified more than 2,000 sex offender records, dedicating more than 1,500 hours to this project, Lingle said.
The names, public information and photos of more than 1,400 registered convicted sex offenders living in the community were made available to the public just moments after Lingle signed into law the Sex Offender Registration and Notification bill.
The volunteer members of the Governor's 2005 Selection Committee was comprised of representatives from businesses or non-state government organizations.