Contact: Sandra Goya
Date: September 4, 2008


DOE Celebrates its Employee and Team of the Year


Darryl Nakagawa, school food services manager at Highlands Intermediate School, was named the Department of Education's 2008 "Employee of the Year," and the Radford Complex Resource Teachers were named DOE's 2008 "Team of the Year" at the DOE's annual Incentive & Service Awards Program, September 4, in the State Capitol Auditorium.

The Incentive and Service Awards program salutes DOE employees who have made special and continued contributions to improve the quality and effectiveness of school services. The program recognizes employees in five categories:

A brief narrative about the awardees is given below, followed by a complete list of all individual and team member recipients. A pdf including winners and narratives and photos of Employee of the Year Darryl Nakagawa and the Team of the Year Radford Complex Resource Teachers are attached at the end of this posting.


Darryl Nakagawa is Employee of the Year

DARRYL NAKAGAWA -- School Food Services Manager, Highlands Intermediate School, Leeward Oahu District. State employee: 18 years.

Darryl promotes healthy eating habits while delivering 1700 meals a day. He believes in proactively planning and implementing program initiatives so that students can function at their fullest potential - - academically, emotionally, physically, and socially. His dedication to students and the school goes well beyond the cafeteria. Students say, “Mr. Nakagawa is cool.”

The Employee of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed on a DOE Employee. The EOY is selected from among the Sustained Superior Performance Award recipients. Nakagawa received a $200 monetary award, and is the DOE’s nominee for the Governor’s Award for Distinguished State Service. DOE employees won State Employee of the Year honors in 2002, 1997, 1995, 1992, and 1990



Sustained Superior Performance

Nakagawa was selected from among six employees who were honored for exemplary service and consistently superior performance over a period of not less than 12 consecutive months. The other Sustained Superior Performance awardees are:

SUSTAINED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AWARDS - for exemplary service and consistent superior performance over a period of not less than 12 consecutive months. These awardees included Nakagawa and the following employees:

• BERGINIO BARENG, School Custodian, Kihei Elementary, Maui District. A state employee for 9 years. With his positive attitude, Berginio who is better known as “Bert,” motivates others. The pride in his work is evident in the spotless campus. Rain or shine, from sunrise to sunset, when Bert has a task to do, you know he will get the job done.

• ALIKI LABRADOR, Account Clerk, Windward District Office, Windward Oahu District. A state employee for 4 years. When the Windward District Office has a question about its funds, Aliki always has the answer at her fingertips. She juggles multiple demands with competence, efficiency, and a smile. Aliki is always willing to go the extra mile to help a fellow employee or school in need.

• ELLEN NAKAMOTO, Private Secretary, Central District Office, Central Oahu District. A state employee for 19 years. An exceptional communicator, Ellen possesses the gift of being able to make complex subjects understandable. Her excellent rapport with people and extensive knowledge in a variety of subjects makes her an invaluable resource in the Central District.

• PETER RAYNO, School Security Attendant, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, Kauai District. A state employee for 3 years. While making his rounds on campus, Peter reaches out to help others without being asked. His calm demeanor and rapport with others allows him to diffuse volatile situations with ease. Staff and students always feel safe and secure with Peter in charge.

• STEPHEN YOUNG, School Custodian, Anuenue Elementary School, Honolulu District. A state employee for 7 years. Known as `Anakala Stephen, his hard work has transformed Anuenue into a clean and safe campus. Dedicated to making every school activity a success, he overcomes challenges and obstacles with professionalism, enthusiasm, and teamwork.




Certificate of Achievement

Two certificates were presented for outstanding contributions to the improvement of government services::

• NELSON CORPUZ, Custodian, Maui High School, Maui District. A state employee for 16 years. Nelson’s willingness to help others and his work ethic in keeping the campus in order is legendary at Maui High School. He is well-respected by students and teachers, and is a true member of the school family.

• KAZUMI ISHIHIRO, School Administrative Services Assistant, Holomua Elementary School, Leeward Oahu District. A state employee for 30 years. Kazumi’s expertise in school operations has been instrumental in Holomua’s growth to becoming the largest elementary “multi-track” school in the state. With heart and commitment, she delivers exceptional service.



Radford Complex Resource Teachers win Team of the Year

The 2008 DOE Team of the Year is the Radford Complex Resource Teachers from the Central Oahu District. The team members are Linda Nakashima and Tricia Tamayose-Okamura.

The Radford Complex Resource Teachers work together to provide the finest learning environment for students, parents, teachers, and adult learners. Exceptional people skills and leadership abilities combined with a positive attitude, deep passion, and effective teaching strategies have resulted in truly inspired instructional practices in Radford Complex whose goal is, “we all succeed together.”

The DOE Team of the Year is selected from among the Team Excellence Award of Merit recipients. The Radford Complex Resource Teachers received a $200 monetary award for their team, and are the DOE’s nominee for the Governor’s Award for TEAM of the Year.



Team Excellence Award of Merit

This year's Team of the Year was selected from among five teams recognized with awards of merit. The others are:

• Hokulani Elementary School Custodial Staff (Honolulu District) - REYNALDO BERGONIO, WAYNE KATAYAMA, and LARRY OHTA. The team’s dedication to customer service and school operations are grounded in their strong belief that a campus environment makes a difference on student achievement and behavior. Students always greet them with a respectful “Mister” or “Uncle,” and have even started a litter patrol during recess. From dawn to dusk, “going beyond the call of duty” is this team’s motto.

• Holomua Elementary School Office Staff (Leeward Oahu District) - GINA ACOSTA, KAZUMI ISHIHIRO, ELLEN NAKAMURA, ADDIE TUFONO, RENEE WHITAKER, and GAYLYN WILKERSON. Like soldiers moving to the beat of a drum, this team has blended their skills and personalities to become one. Dependable, efficient, and organized, no challenge is too big or too small for them to tackle. The team constantly takes on projects that will make a positive difference for their ohana and other schools with the belief that “none of us is as good as all of us!”

• Kauai High School Cafeteria Staff (Kauai District) - KAUI GIMINIZ-BUSTAMANTE, BELINDA GONDA, MARSHA MIYASATO, MICHAEL NG, and WADE TASAKA. Taking the best interest of the school to heart, this team takes great pride in their work and it shows. Every day students and staff are treated to at least nine different healthy, quality, and delicious meal choices. This team sizzles with sales double the average of most public schools. From student activities to parent’s night, their actions say “it’s all for the students.”

• Supplemental Education Services (Windward Oahu District) - KRISTI CARVALHO, DIANE TANAKA, GAYE TERAYAMA, and SUSAN YAMAMOTO. Complying with federal requirements in delivering supplemental education services to Title I schools and students is no simple chore. However, this team has developed an efficient operation that shares information, monitors services, collects data, plans meetings, and troubleshoots concerns. From Waimanalo to Kahuku, this team knows what needs to be done!



Following is a list of all individual and team member honorees:




Hawaii State Department of Education
2008 INCENTIVE & SERVICE AWARDS

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR (The Employee of the Year was selected from among the Sustained Superior Performance honorees.)
• DARRYL NAKAGAWA -- School Food Services Manager, Highlands Intermediate, Leeward Oahu District.

Sustained Superior Performance Award (6 recipients)



TEAM OF THE YEAR (The Team of the Year was selected from among the Sustained Superior Performance honorees.) • RADFORD COMPLEX RESOURCE TEACHERS - - Central Oahu District, Linda Nakashima and Tricia Tamayose-Okamura

Team Excellence Award of Merit (5 team recipients, 20 team members)

Certificate of Achievement (2 recipients)

Attachments:
The above list with backround and descriptions in pdf
InfoExchangeSept04.pdf

Photo of Employee of the Year, Darryl Nakagawa

2008 DOE Employee of the Year.JPG

Photo of Team of the Year, Radford Complex Resource Teachers (from left to right -Tricia Tamayose-Okamura and Linda Nakashima)
2008 DOE Team of the Year.JPG


-- DOE --