Awards given to those who ‘Keep it Hawaii’
The 15th annual "Keep it Hawaii" recognition awards were presented by the Hawaii Tourism Authority yesterday at the Hawaii Convention Center.
The awards "honor those who have demonstrated commitment to honor and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and community, providing visitors and residents with opportunities to experience the true culture through creative and responsible efforts," said Rex Johnson, HTA president and chief executive officer.
The HTA added an award category this year to honor a person or organization that has demonstrated commitment to honoring and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture.
This year's winners were:
» The "He Kuleana Ke Aloha Awards" went to the late 'Anakala Edward Todoc Ka'anana, a revered cultural educator who died July 16, artist Herb Kawainui Kane, navigator Pius Mau Piailug and the late Hawaiian language perpetuator and publisher R. Dwayne "Nakila" Steele.
» The "Keep it Hawaii" Koa Award went to Pacific Islands Institute Ltd., an educational tourism and destination management company run by Andrew and Karen Lockwood. The HTA honored the business for its "Hawaiian Traditions: History, Culture and Music" program.
» The "Keep it Hawaii" Kahili Awards are offered to businesses, individuals and community organizations. An out-of-state category was added this year. Winners this year were Francis S. Oda , Hawaiian Airlines, Kauahea Inc. of Maui County, the Aloha Beach Resort on Kauai, Waimea Plantation Cottages on Kauai, and Ad Wave Advertising, a quarterly publication in Japan dedicated to the art of hula.