Nominations sought for ‘make-a-difference’ awards

Do you know someone who goes “that extra mile” or has dedicated himself or herself to the Kaua‘i community in some way? What about someone who has developed a project or who volunteers selflessly for a good cause? Often, these “community heroes” (or heroines or groups) go unnoticed and unsung.

Hui o Laka, the community group that operates Koke‘e Museum and Koke‘e Resource Conservation Project in Koke‘e State Park, is now calling for nominations for 2006’s “One Person Can Make A Difference” and “One Group Can Make A Difference” awards, they said in a press release.

The 2006 “One-Person” and “One-Group” awards will be presented to individuals and groups in four categories in the park’s Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow at noon on May 28, at Hui o Laka’s annual Banana Poka RoundUp.

This colorful, forest-education fair, now in its 17th year, is supported by many volunteers, exhibiting agencies, local businesses, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Hui o Laka trustees and staff invite anyone in the community to submit a nomination (or nominations) in any of the following categories: volunteer youth (age 18 and under); volunteer environmental; volunteer cultural and historical; volunteer group; professional (may be employed in the area for which he or she is being nominated).

The public is invited to “sing the praises” of their own heroes by submitting nomination form by May 15.

Those wishing a nomination form to be e-mailed, faxed or mailed may call Koke‘e Museum at 335-9975, or e-mail kokeemuseum@earthlink.net.

The “One-Person” and “One-Group” winners will be chosen by members of the museum’s Education Committee, comprised of Hui o Laka trustees. Winners receive a plaque framed in koa, an event T-shirt, and prizes donated by local merchants.

Last year’s recipients were Louie Cordeiro, Anne O’Malley, Beryl Blaich and Malama Maha‘ulepu