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-Hibbs, 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
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
Shawn A. Yoshimura, Honolulu Fire Department
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