UHAA Distinguished Alumni Awards

The University of Hawai‘i Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding alumni who have used their education to excel professionally, provide inspirational leadership to others, and provide service for the benefit of UH and the community.

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Proceeds from this event benefit the University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association — a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to serve the University of Hawai‘i and the UH alumni ‘ohana. Your support of the Distinguished Alumni Awards not only honors UH alumni for their outstanding achievements, but also helps fund UHAA’s endowed scholarship, legislative advocacy for higher education, and alumni engagement.

Please consider giving back today!

2017 Distinguished Alumni Award

  • Rockne Freitas
    Rockne Freitas

    EdD ʼ95, MEd ʼ83 (Mānoa), Former Chancellor, University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu
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  • James Hirai
    James Hirai

    BEd ʼ74 (Mānoa), Brigadier General (Retired), U.S. Army
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  • Kitty Lagareta
    Kitty Lagareta

    BA ʼ81 (Mānoa), Chief Executive Officer, CommPac
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  • Harold Nishimura
    Harold Nishimura

    BEd ʼ78 (Mānoa), Retired Professor, Carpentry, Hawai‘i Community College
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  • University of Hawai‘i Founders Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award

    The UH Founders Alumni Association began the tradition of recognizing outstanding University of Hawai‘i alumni. The Founders continue honoring alumni who have made a significant impact throughout their lives with the UH Founders Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
     

    Sam SlomSamuel Slom
    BA ʼ63 (Mānoa)
    Former State Senator, Hawai‘i Senate District 9
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  • UHAA President’s Award 

    The UHAA President’s Award recognizes and honors those who have dedicated themselves to and made significant contributions to the University of Hawai‘i, its alumni and students, Hawai‘i and the world. Recipients are selected by the UHAA president.


    K. Mark Takai
    MPH ʼ93, BA ʼ90 (Mānoa)
    Former U.S. Representative, Hawai‘i Congressional District 1
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Mahalo to our DAA Sponsors!

UHAA thanks the following companies and individuals for their generous support …

Gold Sponsors

  • Jay Shidler on behalf of The Shidler College of Business
  • Kamehameha Schools

Silver Sponsors

  • Gary Kai and Jadine Nielsen

About the Distinguished Alumni Awards

This award, given by UHAA since 1989, pays tribute to alumni who have used their University of Hawai‘i education to bring the highest level of excellence to their professional achievements, provide inspirational leadership to others, and develop exceptional qualities. Honorees are selected from an outstanding group of alumni from all campuses in response to an international solicitation.

The event will raise essential funding for the UH Alumni Association, a not-for-profit organization that awards student scholarships, connects alumni through its events, supports UHAA chapters and UH campuses, and facilitates communication between UH and its alumni.

University of Hawai‘i Alumni