The Herald Salutes

Noboru Hayase and Dr. Robert N. Huey were recently conferred imperial decorations by the Government of Japan. The decorations were presented by Consul General of Japan Koichi Ito at his official residence. Noboru Hayase, who served as president of the Hawaii Meijikai from 2011 to 2018, was presented The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver....

Students in the Kaimukï Middle School Symphonic Winds, directed by Susan Ochi-Onishi, performed to four standing ovations in the 28th annual Music for All National Festival in March in Indianapolis, Ind. The Music for All National Festival showcases America’s finest high school and middle school music ensembles and student musicians. It spotlights outstanding music-making and....

The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai presented scholarships of $1,000 each to Waiäkea High School senior Meghan M.B.Y. Nagai and Hilo High School senior Kara Yoshiyama. The two were recognized for their excellence in academic, co-curricular and extracurricular achievements. Nagai, who is the daughter of Kenjin Kai members Sylvia and Michael Nagai, was a valedictorian....

Moloka‘i High School sophmore Mallory Go won first place at the Hawai‘i HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) National Leadership Conference, held from Feb. 26 to 27 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Go competed against other Hawai‘i high school students in epidemiology –– or the study of the distribution, incidence and control of disease in....

Kanoelani Elementary School principal Stacie Kunihisa was named the 2019 Hawai‘i National Distinguished Principal by the Hawai‘i Elementary School and Middle School Administrators Association at the Hale Koa Hotel on April 28. She will join the National Association of Elementary School Principals and awardees from the other 49 states in Washington, D.C., in October. Just....

Kuakini Health System president and CEO Gary K. Kajiwara was presented The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by Consul General of Japan Koichi Ito on Feb. 1 at the Japanese Consulate. Kajiwara was recognized for his contributions to strengthening and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United States in the....

Gwen Fujie has been selected as executive director of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association, succeeding the late Jane Serikaku, who held the post for approximately 12 years before passing last summer. Fujie assumed the position on Jan. 2. Fujie’s ancestral roots in Okinawa are in Oroku and Yomitan. She is a member of Yomitan Club,....

An award presentation ceremony recognizing the 2018 MEXT — Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology — Japanese Studies student (Nihongo Nihonbunka Kenshu Ryugakusei) scholarship recipients was held Aug. 30 at the Japanese Consulate in Nu‘uanu.

The East Hawaii Hiroshima Kenjin Kai presented scholarships of $1,000 each to Waiakea High School seniors Jairus Iwasaki and Deylyn Nekoba in recognition of their excellence in academic, co-curricular and extracurricular achievements. Kenjin Kai president Jon Arizumi presented the awards to Iwasaki and Nekoba at the school’s senior awards assembly on May 1.

Kipapa Elementary School principal Corinne Yogi received the 14th annual Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award from the Island Insurance Foundation. Yogi was presented the $25,000 award at the annual Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation banquet at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel on April 19. The award is named in honor of Island Insurance Company,....