By Staff Reports
(Maui) – Mayor Alan M. Arakawa recently received lifetime achievement awards from both the Boy Scouts of America Maui County Council and the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA).
A former Boy Scout, Mayor Arakawa was presented with a “Distinguished Citizen” Award for applying the principles of scouting to his professional and community service. “We are honored to be recognizing Mayor Arakawa at this special dinner for his lifetime of community service,” said Boy Scouts of America Maui Council President, Grant Chun. “As a former Boy Scout, he inspires today’s youth to strive to become strong, brave, trustworthy and responsible citizens – honorable characteristics that are defined in our Scout Laws.”
“We felt that Mayor Arakawa was deserving of this honor based upon his tireless work on behalf of our community,” said Maui Council’s Scout Executive Robert Nakagawa. “The Mayor sees his job as an honor and a privilege, and he truly believes that we live in the best place in the world.”
The Mayor also was recognized with a Legacy Award from the Hawaii United Okinawa Association for his outstanding achievements and significant contributions to our Okinawan community and to our local, national and international communities.
“Ohana, hard work, responsibility and caring for others are the defining values that guide Mayor Alan Arakawa and his lifetime of service to the community,” said HUOA Advisor David Arakawa (no relation to Mayor Arakawa). “A practical and effective leader, Mayor Arakawa has been a long-time member of the Maui Okinawa Kenjin Kai, and served as its 2000-2001 President. He supports its programs to promote fellowship and mutual understanding with the greater Okinawan community, and to promote and perpetuate Okinawan heritage, culture and the arts, as well as the 50-year Sister City relationship between Maui County and Miyakojima City.”