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
- 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
