Darryl Nakagawa, food services manager at Highlands Intermediate School, was named the Department of Education's 2008 Employee of the Year.

Radford complex resource teachers Linda Nakashima and Tricia Tamayose-Okamura were named the 2008 Team of the Year.

Sustained Superior Performance Awards for exemplary service over a period of at least a year went to Nakagawa and Berginio Bareng, school custodian, Kihei Elementary School; Aliki Labrador, account clerk, Windward District Office; Ellen Nakamoto, private secretary, Central District Office; Peter Rayno, school security attendant, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School; and Stephen Young, school custodian, Anuenue Elementary School. Two certificates of achievement for outstanding contributions to the improvement of government services went to Nelson Corpuz, custodian, Maui High School; and Kazumi Ishihiro, administrative services assistant, Holomua Elementary School.

Girl Scouts of Hawaii is honoring four businesswomen with 2008 Woman of Distinction awards. They are Bev Gannon of Bev Gannon Restaurants; Beadie Kanahele Dawson, Dawson Group Inc.; Anne Namba, Anne Namba Designs; and Mary Worrall, Mary Worrall Associates Sotheby's International Realty.