Newsmaker
Monday, October 25, 1999
Name: Ronald Hajime
Age: 54
Education: University of Hawaii
Occupation: Program administrator, Adult Probation Division
Hobbies: Reading, walking
No matter how tedious the task, Ronald Hajime can get the job done. Seeking a better system
Hajime said he can easily get obsessed with something simple -- like repairing a broken fan -- and simply lose track of time. He picked up the habit from his father, now a retired electrician, who taught him about hard work, dedication and commitment.
Hajime said he applies the same principle to his work as a program administrator of the Adult Probation Division on Oahu. He said he's always in search of running a better system and never thought of pursuing any other line of work.
Hajime recently got the state Judiciary's Distinguished Service Award, which honors employees with at least 15 years of service in the Judiciary who have consistently exhibited exceptional skills and abilities in improving operations and service. He is one of only nine people in the last 20 years to receive the prestigious award.
Hajime began his career as a state probation officer in 1970. In later years, he became a program specialist, and then a program administrator, in 1990. He currently supervises a staff of 80 employees, 55 of them probation officers.
Nathaniel Kim, chief court administrator for the First Circuit Court, said Hajime has significantly contributed to the development of Adult Probation's statewide policy manual and implementation of the Drug Court program.
Always concerned about his staff members and their workload, he is consistently open-minded and innovative in implementing special programs, Kim said.
"I have always found him to be receptive to change," he said.
As early as elementary school, Hajime pictured himself as an underdog, fighting for and extending compassion toward people who were less privileged. But he realized early in his career that expecting felons to make a quick turnaround was a naive way of thinking.
"It was a rude awakening to what the real world was like," he said. "These guys were not motivated. You see so much disappointment in your work. That's what's so hard."
In his business, he said, success stories are hard to come by. Sex and drug offenders are not like average people, who go through ups and downs knowing that there's always a better tomorrow.
"A guy changes his attitude toward something and you have to recognize and pick it up quickly," he said. "If not, you lost it and bingo, he's back to using drugs."
In Honolulu alone, there are an estimated 5,500 sex, drug and other types of offenders under supervision. Hajime said the challenge of his job is raising awareness of the need for probation as part of the criminal justice system, in spite of the lack of resources.
He said he wants to see offenders contribute something back to the community and make an effort to restore what was damaged.
"Making the connection is my next goal," he said. "That's my hope."
By Shirley Iida, Star-Bulletin
