Wong to receive Kekumano Award
UH Mānoa alumnus Maj. Gen. Darryll D.M. Wong (Mānoa, BA ’72; MBA ’09) will receive Maryknoll School’s Noblesse Oblige Service Award at the 19th Annual Monsignor Charles A. Kekumano Award and Scholarship Dinner on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel for his lifetime of service to his country, state, community and high school alma mater.
In addition to his illustrious career as a leader in the U.S. military and Hawai‘i state government, Wong has been highly involved in giving back to the community for decades as a mentor for at-risk youth; a champion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; and a coach for youth athletics.
“Darryll is an inspiring leader not only because of his exceptional accomplishments, but because he has devoted his life to helping others realize their full potential,” said Maryknoll President Perry Martin. “Through his community involvement, he has been instrumental in increasing opportunities for Hawai‘i’s young people, including at-risk youth, to develop knowledge, life skills, discipline and a passion for lifelong learning.”
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Wong’s achievements span the Pacific and the nation. He flew C-141s worldwide as a member of the Air Force and near the end of the Vietnam War. He was also an Aloha Airlines pilot for more than 32 years. From 2011 to 2015, he served as the adjutant general of the State of Hawai‘i, overseeing 5,500 soldiers and airmen of the Hawaii National Guard. Wong was instrumental in strengthening Hawai‘i’s readiness for manmade and natural disasters as the director of State Civil Defense and homeland security advisor to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award and the Hawaii State Law Enforcement Association’s Military Officer of the Year Award.
He currently serves on numerous boards, including the Maryknoll School Board, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Council, and the board of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. As a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, he has sailed twice on the Hōkūle‘a, and strives to inspire the next generation with a passion for environmental sustainability.
He is also one of the founders of the Hawai‘i Exemplary State Foundation, which aims to build sustainable communities by engaging K-12 schools in place-based STEM research and education. Wong’s support and involvement have been instrumental in the development and launch of Maryknoll’s Mx Scholar Programs to prepare students in grades 9-12 for the careers of the future in four areas including STEM & Aerospace, Medical Innovation, Business & Diplomacy, and Creative Arts & Expression.
An avid athlete, Wong was a star basketball player in high school at Maryknoll, under legendary Coach Tony Sellitto, and has coached both basketball and volleyball at Maryknoll and in the community. He has also paddled across the Moloka‘i Channel eight times.
Wong graduated with distinction from the Air Force ROTC Program at UH in 1972, and holds several degrees from UH, including a bachelor of arts in geography (UH Mānoa, 1972); an MBA (UH Mānoa, 2009); and a Certificate in International Management – Pacific Asian Management Institute (UH Mānoa, 2009).