GOVERNOR LINGLE AND LT. GOVERNOR AIONA LAUD TOP STATE MANAGER, EMPLOYEE AND TEAM OF THE YEAR
For Immediate Release: October 19, 2007
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor James R.
“Duke” Aiona, Jr. today named Walter Kawamura, workers’ compensation
hearings officer with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as
State Manager of the Year, and Ricky Sasaki, architect with the Department
of Accounting and General Services as State Employee of the Year. The
Governor and Lt. Governor also named the “Leeward Homeless Shelter Project
Team” with the Department of Accounting and General Services as the State
Team of the Year.
“The professionalism demonstrated by these state employees is outstanding,”
said Governor Lingle. “I appreciate their dedication and their
innovative ideas to help make government more efficient and to improve the
quality of life for the people of Hawai‘i.”
The three winners were selected from 53 exceptional group and individual
nominees, which included 18 teams made up of 183 state employees.
A volunteer selection committee of five individuals from non-state
government organizations carefully reviewed the 53 nomination packets and
rated them according to defined categories. The committee presented
their recommendations for the three awards to Governor Lingle.
Lt. Governor Aiona presented the awards to the winners and acknowledged the
exemplary work of all the nominees in serving the public.
“All of us who choose to work in public service have done so because we want
to make Hawai‘i a better place,” Lt. Governor Aiona said. “Today’s
recipients have shown their devotion to that cause. No matter what
their jobs or which department they work in, they have performed their
duties with distinction.”
Manager of the Year – Walter Kawamura, Department of Labor and Industrial
Relations
As a result of Kawamura’s insight and outstanding leadership, workers who
get injured on the job are now receiving workers’ compensation benefit
payments sooner, overall workers’ compensation costs have been reduced, and
employers are paying 12 percent less in workers’ compensation insurance
premiums.
Kawamura has done an exceptional job by ensuring Hawai‘i’s workers’
compensation laws are properly applied and decisions are fair and
clear.
“Walter has made a major impact on the workers’ compensation program,”
Governor Lingle said. “His hard work in helping to carry out the
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations objectives has increased the
economic security and well-being of Hawai‘i’s workforce.”
Employee of the Year – Ricky Sasaki, Department of Accounting and General
Services (DAGS)
The many successful projects Sasaki has managed will have a far-reaching and
lasting impact on individual families and on our community.
Sasaki accepted the challenge of serving as project coordinator to build a
homeless emergency shelter in Wai‘anae as part of the Lingle-Aiona
Administration’s efforts to find solutions to the homeless problem along
O‘ahu’s Leeward Coast. Within a record seven months, under Kawamura’s
management, the state’s Pai‘olu Kaiāulu shelter opened its doors on March 1,
2007 to its first residents.
Sasaki also carefully managed the construction of the new Waipahu
Intermediate School cafeteria, which provides a new, full-service,
sustainable cafeteria facility that is highly functional, maintainable,
energy efficient and provides a healthy environment for the school and the
public. This building is the first in the Department of Education
system to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Certification Awards from the U. S. Green Building Council.
“Ricky’s ‘can-do’ attitude, volunteerism on projects which saved the State
thousands of dollars, and untiring dedication to his job are greatly
appreciated,” said Governor Lingle.
State Team of the Year – “Leeward Homeless Shelter Project Team,”
Department of Accounting and General Services
The Department of Accounting and General Services’ Leeward Homeless Shelter
Project Team was named State Team of the Year.
As part of the Administration’s homeless solutions efforts, this team took
quick action in building an emergency shelter for homeless families and
individuals living on the beaches on O‘ahu’s Leeward Coast. Despite
the many challenges they faced throughout the project development, the team
remained focused, and Pai‘olu Kaiāulu opened its doors to its first
residents in a record seven months. The shelter can accommodate 300
people.
As a result of the hard work and dedication of DAGS’ Leeward Homeless
Shelter Project Team, Pai‘olu Kaiāulu has served close to 500 people who had
been living in parks and on beaches along the Leeward Coast, and has helped
113 people transition into housing. The facility currently shelters
and serves 279 people, including 115 children.
“This team, under the direction of DAGS Director Russ Saito, exemplified
team work at its best while working under extreme pressure,” said Governor
Lingle. “They put their hearts into this project because they knew
families and children were depending on them. Because of their
efforts, people who previously had no place to stay now have shelter and
hope as they work to rebuild their lives. This team shows how public
service truly does make a difference.”
Governor’s 2007 Selection Committee
The volunteer members of the Governor’s 2007 Selection Committee reviewed
the nominations and pertinent information prior to judging. The
committee is comprised of representatives from businesses of non-State
government organizations. This year’s members are: Coralie Chun
Matayoshi, CEO, American Red Cross Hawai‘i State Chapter; Howard Dicus,
reporter, KGMB-TV 9; Tammy Kubo, owner, Hawai‘i Pet Nanny; Charles
Memminger, newspaper columnist, Honolulu Star-Bulletin; and Lois Perrin,
legal director, ACLU of Hawai‘i.
The Governor’s Awards are designed to honor state executive branch
employees, managers and work teams who exemplify the highest caliber of
public service and dedication in serving the people of Hawai‘i. The
Department of Human Resources Development administers the statewide program.
For more information, contact Wilma Iwasaki, Department of Human Resources
Development, at (808) 587-1074.
For more information about the 2007 outstanding state employees, visit the
Governor’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/gov.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Marie Laderta
Director, Dept. of Human Resources Development
Phone: (808) 587-1100
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor - Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
