By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Mayor Rick Blangiardi awarded the employee and manager of the year for the City and County of Honolulu on Thursday during a ceremony at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.
Rebecca Choquette, of the Department of Enterprise Services, was selected as the 2024 employee of the year, and Battalion Chief Blake Takahashi, of the Honolulu Fire Department, was honored as the manager of the year.
The announcement was made on Nov. 7 as part of the 2024 Mayor’s Awards Program. The awards program recognizes city employees who have performed their jobs in an exemplary manner, as well as those who have dedicated 25, 35, 45, and 50 years of service to the City.
“I am inspired by the hard work and dedication of the 2024 honorees, and it is my privilege to come to work every day with colleagues who care so much about their communities,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Our honorees have demonstrated outstanding work, and we value their contributions to public service in the City and County of Honolulu. They are truly an inspiration for us all.”
Choquette, the City’s employee of the year, is a Zoo Keeper II with the Honolulu Zoo. The 30-year City employee was recognized for her work with the zoo’s conservation efforts through its propagation and breeding programs, which have successfully helped preserve two species native to Hawaiʻi.
Takahashi, the manager of the year, is a Battalion Chief for the Honolulu Fire Department. He was honored for leading the department’s training programs to help enhance public safety and maintain response readiness. Takahashi was also pivotal in the development of the department’s Mentorship Program for its recruits.
The Exceptional Achievement Award was presented to employees from the Department of Information Technology, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services, and Department of Human Resources, for their work on the upgrade to the City’s CGI Advantage Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, also known as C2HERPS. Additionally, Moana Yost was honored as the Outstanding Deputy Corporation Counsel, for her exceptional efforts on behalf of the department as deputy of the Counseling and Drafting Division, and the Outstanding Deputy Prosecuting Attorney award went to veteran attorney Mark Yuen, for his dedicated service as the division chief of the Screening and Intake Division.
Below is a list of Managers of the Year, departmental Employees of the Year, Outstanding Attorneys, Exceptional Achievement award recipients, 50-year, 45-Year, and 25-Year of Service Award honorees.
Manager of the Year
- Henderson L.K. Nuuhiwa, Board of Water Supply
- Dennis R.A. Kanno, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
- Jennifer K. Tobin, Department of Human Resources
- Francis Amar V. Tabios, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Blake A.K. Takahashi, Honolulu Fire Department
Employee of the Year
- Bryan K. Chong, Board of Water Supply
- Tarra K. Coleman, Board of Water Supply
- Reid T. Goto, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
- Ronell B. Badua, Department of the Corporation Counsel
- Velma C. Joshua-Eliptico, Department of Customer Services
- Lynn M. Ikeda, Department of Design and Construction
- Rebecca E. Choquette, Department of Enterprise Services
- Julie Ann U. Leano, Department of Environmental Services
- Richard N. Nieves, Department of Environmental Services
- Jesus Aburto, Department of Facility Maintenance
- Starla K. Takahara, Department of Facility Maintenance
- Wendy K.W. Lee, Department of Human Resources
- Ralph Dexter C. Dela Cruz, Department of the Medical Examiner
- Johnny P. Retuta Jr., Department of Parks and Recreation
- Lindsey L. Watanabe, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Michael A. Kat, Department of Planning and Permitting
- Leeann A. Domingo, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
- Stuart A. Ujimori, Department of Transportation Services
- Alisa T. Vincent, Honolulu Emergency Services Department
- Brent K. Dillabaugh, Honolulu Fire Department
- Keahi J. Ho, Honolulu Fire Department
- Brittnie S. Lau, Honolulu Fire Department
- Bonnie Ann S.L. Lee, Honolulu Police Department
- Kaiminaauao S.E. Mead, Honolulu Police Department
- Jonathon W.Y. Rakieten, Honolulu Police Department
- Deena J. Thoemmes, Honolulu Police Department
Outstanding Deputy Corporation Counsel
- Moana A. Yost
Outstanding Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
- Mark S.P. Yuen
Exceptional Achievement
Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
- Nancy Abilay
- Kelli J. Nishimura
- Phyllis W. Fujiwara
- Sarah R. Matsumura
- Rina J. Mew
- Connie T. Kaneshiro
- Nicole K. Masaki
- Taryn A. Taw
- Emerald T. Le
- Yeuk Lan L. Lau
- Nozomi K. Tamanaha
- Alii-Mana T. Fujii
- Dave A. Gandule
- Naomi J. Mochizuki
- Nancy Y. Pyun
- Zhe Sheng Wen
- Naomi K. Ho
- Kelly K. Nakano
- Joan Alexander
Department of Human Resources
- Jacqueline L. Bali-Park
- Nicol L. Bega
- Renee H. Cho
- Peggy S. Kanemori
- Mary E. Keomaka
- Kessy K. Kepaa
- Sanreen L. Lian
- Valerie T. Miner
- Tannequah K. Nunies
- Charliene D. Perez
- Shannon S. Tolentino
Department of Information Technology
- David M. Au
- Ada C. Auw-Robinson
- Gigi P. Chan
- Cullen C. Cheng
- Layne N. Fujioka
- Travis K. Kamioka
- Gavin T. Lemasa
- Jenny H. Marion
- Jerry S. Miyahira
- Jonathan M. Ortal
- Karl E. Sueyoshi
- Liwen Yao
- Johny Zheng
- Sheldon K. Kono
- Brian T. Miyata
- Jessica S. Viyar
- Raymond M. Yee
- Kevin J. Kunisaki
- Byron Chu
- David R. Ross
- Wilson G. Chan
50-Year Service Award
- Robert P.L. Yee, Department of Design and Construction
45-Year Service Award
- Leonard K.K. Chang, Board of Water Supply
- Earle R. Chang, Department of Environmental Services
- Vicki K.N. Chung, Office of the City Clerk
35-Year Service Award
- Orrin G. Batalon, Board of Water Supply
- Clayton J. Lee, Board of Water Supply
- Veronica K. Leoiki-Mutch, Board of Water Supply
- Lance S. Topas, Board of Water Supply
- Becky H. Uchida, Board of Water Supply
- Michelle M. Denault, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
- Derwin R. Shimabukuro, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
- Paul B. Javier, Department of the Corporation Counsel
- Allyn Y.S. Lee, Department of Design and Construction
- Noreen M. Akagi, Department of Enterprise Services
- Edleen U. Doctorello-Hayme, Department of Enterprise Services
- Alden I. Abe, Department of Environmental Services
- Rex Chong, Department of Environmental Services
- Lyman M. Furuto, Department of Environmental Services
- David H. Heard, Department of Environmental Services
- Bobby K. Kelii, Department of Environmental Services
- Clement Kock-Wah Jr., Department of Environmental Services
- Terry K. Onizuka, Department of Environmental Services
- Shannon K. Preece, Department of Environmental Services
- Charles J.A. Sermersheim, Department of Environmental Services
- John J. Tabangcura, Department of Environmental Services
- Dennis M. Tsuruda, Department of Environmental Services
- Arthur C.T.C. Wong, Department of Environmental Services
- Gordon F. Komesu, Department of Facility Maintenance
- Clyde S. Takahashi, Department of Facility Maintenance
- Romney A. Bitanga, Department of Human Resources
- Joann K. Beall, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Alma J. Ho, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Benjamin F. Kanae Jr., Department of Parks and Recreation
- Mason K. Kataoka, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Darlene E. Makekau, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Scot M. Mitamura, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Carl J. Phillips, Department of Parks and Recreation
- Wesley M. Shiroma, Department of Parks and Recreation
- April K. Aiwohi, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
- Adele Choy, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
- Tammy M. Hurley, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
- Ty T. Fukumitsu, Department of Transportation Services
- Scott Y. Matsumoto, Department of Transportation Services
- Eric W.Y. Kop, Royal Hawaiian Band
- Joy N. Yamane, Office of the City Clerk
25-Year Service Award
Shawn A. Yoshimura, Honolulu Fire Department
Wesley W. Buendia, Board of Water Supply
Andrew C. Freitas, Board of Water Supply
Kauai G. Hilo, Board of Water Supply
Keith T. Ishinaga, Board of Water Supply
Terrence T. Kim, Board of Water Supply
Chester M. Nakachi, Board of Water Supply
Karen N. Wago, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services
Brian T. Imai, Department of Design and Construction
Rana-Ann F. Kowal, Department of Enterprise Services
Dominador A. Manzano, Department of Enterprise Services
Merlita B. Alimagno, Department of Environmental Services
Toma D. Barrett, Department of Environmental Services
Victor S. Cruz, Department of Environmental Services
Henry D. Gabriel, Department of Environmental Services
Benjamin T. Goshert, Department of Environmental Services
Russell H. Hatada, Department of Environmental Services
Kelly G. Jenkins, Department of Environmental Services
Anderson E. Keaunui, Department of Environmental Services
Stephen A. Martin, Department of Environmental Services
Jeffrey K. Okagawa, Department of Environmental Services
Glenn J. Parker Jr., Department of Environmental Services
John R. Pobuk, Department of Environmental Services
Marlon R. Reyes, Department of Environmental Services
Byran K. Sherwood Sr., Department of Environmental Services
Michael S. Talalotu, Department of Environmental Services
Charlie A. Abe, Department of Facility Maintenance
Claire S.T. Kodama, Department of Facility Maintenance
Melita D. Pedrina, Department of Facility Maintenance
Denise L. Tsukayama, Department of Human Resources
Robert L. Craft II, Department of Parks and Recreation
Harlan T. Kubo, Department of Parks and Recreation
Randal A. Iwane, Department of Parks and Recreation
Lester Y. Yamashiro, Department of Parks and Recreation
Marymae K. Bennett, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
Debra M. Takehara, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
Loren J. Thomas, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney
Kelly A. Akasaki, Department of Transportation Services
Robert T. Sato, Office of the City Council
Christopher K. Akiona, Honolulu Fire Department
Jason J. Apuya, Honolulu Fire Department
Stanford J. Aquino, Honolulu Fire Department
Kainoa N. Asato, Honolulu Fire Department
Todd B. Cabral, Honolulu Fire Department
Joseph C. Condlin, Honolulu Fire Department
Alan A. Hackbarth, Honolulu Fire Department
William M. Harris, Honolulu Fire Department
Dean I. Hashimoto, Honolulu Fire Department
Dave A. Higa, Honolulu Fire Department
Keahi J. Ho, Honolulu Fire Department
Alexander Y. Ibi, Honolulu Fire Department
Jonathan J. Kam, Honolulu Fire Department
Ocean P. Kaowili, Honolulu Fire Department
William M. Kapua Jr., Honolulu Fire Department
Reid N. Kawachika, Honolulu Fire Department
Dwayne K. Kodama, Honolulu Fire Department
Joseph B. Lapinad, Honolulu Fire Department
Colin K.W. Lee, Honolulu Fire Department
Kirk A. Maluo, Honolulu Fire Department
Jesse K. Meyers, Honolulu Fire Department
Jonathan K. Miwa, Honolulu Fire Department
Joel K. Nakaya, Honolulu Fire Department
Jay K. Nourrie, Honolulu Fire Department
Dyron K. Ota, Honolulu Fire Department
Kaikane S. Parker, Honolulu Fire Department
Jay K. Peloso, Honolulu Fire Department
Cody E. Racoma, Honolulu Fire Department
Jeffrey D. Roache, Honolulu Fire Department
Anthony L. Sabatini, Honolulu Fire Department
Blake A.K. Takahashi, Honolulu Fire Department
Brent I. Takemoto, Honolulu Fire Department
Nestor B. Tumacder, Honolulu Fire Department
Aina K. Watson, Honolulu Fire Department
Stewart N. Williams Jr., Honolulu Fire Department
Kalu A. Wolfe, Honolulu Fire Department
Shaun M. Wray, Honolulu Fire Department