Aloha United Way established the Spirit of Community Awards to recognize and publicly thank Hawaii’s donors, whose commitment through financial and in-kind support has enabled Aloha United Way to further its purpose. 

If you are interested in information on how to apply to become a Spirit of Community Awards nominee, please contact the Campaign Department at 543-2254.

One winner is selected for each of the following awards:

Company of the Year Award

Awarded to the organization whose level of commitment to Aloha United Way year-round is as outstanding as the exceptional campaign results they achieved.

Coordinator of the Year Award

Awarded to the volunteer coordinator whose exceptional leadership and dedication led his or her organization to a successful campaign.

Non-Profit of the Year Award

Awarded to the non-profit organization whose year-round commitment to Aloha United Way is as exceptional as their campaign results.

Public Sector of the Year Award

Awarded to the organization within the public sector whose year-round commitment to Aloha United Way is as outstanding as their exceptional campaign results.

Small Business/Big Heart Company of the Year Award

Awarded to the small business organization whose level of commitment to Aloha United Way year-round is as outstanding as the exceptional campaign results they achieved.

Learning Institution of the Year Award

Awarded to the organization within the field of education whose year-round commitment to Aloha United Way is as outstanding as their exceptional campaign results.

Norman Ahakuelo Labor Award

The Norman Ahakuelo Labor Award has been established to honor the memory of IBEW 1260 Business Manager Norman Ahakuelo.  He strongly supported the United Way and was one of the founding fathers of our local Community Services Program.  This award is given to an Individual or Union who has volunteered and made a significant contribution to our community.

Society of Young Leaders' Award

Awarded to a Society of Young Leaders' member whose exceptional leadership and dedication to Aloha United Way extends through their giving and their community service involvement with our organization.

Volunteer Hawaii Volunteer of the Year Award

Awarded to a company, group or individual whose voluntary efforts supports the programs and mission of Aloha United Way.

2009 Spirit of Community Award Winners & Nominees

Company of the Year Award
Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. (WINNER)
Bank of Hawaii
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd.
Hawai'i Medical Service Association
Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
Tesoro Hawaii Corporation

Small Business Big Heart Company of the Year Award
University of Hawai'i Federal Credit Union (WINNER)
Aon Risk Services Inc. of Hawaii
Architects Hawaii Ltd.
CH2M Hill
IKON Office Solutions
PacificBasin Communications

Public Sector Organization of the Year Award
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (WINNER)
Department of Prosecuting Attorney
Hawai'i State Judiciary

Learning Institution of the Year Award
Damien Memorial School (WINNER)
Kamehameha Schools
Windward Community College

Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award
PATCH (WINNER)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu
East-West Center
YMCA of Honolulu

Coordinator of the Year Award
Tesoro Hawaii Corporation - Sam Aucoin, Pete Boksanski, Eileen Leong, Lani Ornelas (WINNER)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu - Alan Castillo
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands - Hawaiian Home Lands' Aloha United Way Campaign Team
Department of Prosecuting Attorney - Prosecuting Attorney's Aloha United Way Campaign Team
Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Dee Lim
First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. - First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd.'s Aloha United Way Campaign Team
Halekulani Hotel - Nicole Bonenfant & Gayle Pimental
Hawai'i Medical Service Association - Madelyn Fern
Hawai'i State Judiciary - Barbara Bradbury, Jayna Chong Kee, Yvonne Texeira
Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc. - Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc.'s 2009 Aloha United Way Campaign Committee
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa - Eileen Nepomuceno & Ai Lee Wong
Nordic PCL Construction, Inc. - Debbie Asato, Felicia Rios, Erik Ruffing, Tehani Tanabe & John Voorhees
PacificBasin Communications - Melanie Plamer
Pacific Guardian Life Insurance Company - Jefferson Niles
PATCH - Virginia Lord
University of Hawai'i Federal Credit Union - Aaron Obayashi & Debbie Wilson
YMCA of Honolulu - C. Kent Coarsey

Norman Ahakuelo Labor Award
Wayne Cahill - Hawaii Newspaper Guild Local 39117 (WINNER)

Society of Young Leader's Award
Kimberly Horan - ALTRES (WINNER)
Kevin Matsuda - American Savings Bank
Sherry Menor-McNamara - The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
Hauoli Smith - Law Offices of Marvin S.C. Dang, LLLC

Volunteer Hawaii Volunteer of the Year Award - Engagement Stage
Bank of Hawaii (WINNER)

Volunteer Hawaii Volunteer of the Year Award - Mobilization Stage
Jamba Juice Hawaii (WINNER)

Volunteer Hawaii Volunteer of the Year Award - Individual
Jalee Fuselier (WINNER)