AWARDS

Congratulations to the 2024 AWWA Hawaii Section Award Recipients!
Please congratulate them when you see them!

See Past Awardees at https://hiawwa.org/past-award-winners.

2024 George Warren Fuller Award Recipient

KEVIN IHU

This year’s recipient of the prestigious George Warren Fuller Award for the Hawaii Section of the American Water Works Association is Kevin Ihu. CONGRATULATIONS Kevin!

George Warren Fuller Awards are presented annually by the American Water Works Association to the sections' respective selected members for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of sound engineering skill, brilliant diplomatic talent, and the constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller.

In 1997, Kevin received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii of Manoa, then started at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (HBWS) in September as a Civil Engineer I. Four years later in 2001, he was recognized as Employee of the Year. By August 2002, Kevin became a licensed Civil Engineer IV. He was promoted to a Civil Engineer V in January 2009 and in January 2012 became one of the youngest engineers to be promoted to division head. Kevin was recognized as the HBWS Manager of the Year in 2013 and 2020.

Kevin continuously exemplifies servant leadership and has the total commitment of his staff to the mission of delivering safe drinking water to the people of Honolulu. His staff trusts that Kevin has got their back.

He ushers in a new era of accepting the risks involved with public water service and working hard to plan the adjustments to minimize the risk of negative effects, including identifying implementation days and times to reduce the impact to HBWS customers and the need for staff overtime, and then actually implementing the changes with solid documentation. He is not afraid to do things to improve the water system.

In addition to his leadership at HBWS, in 2018, Kevin accepted the current Board Presidency for the Hawaii Rural Water Association after serving on the board from 2015.

He has been an active member of the AWWA Hawaii Section since March 2002 and held the following Section positions:

AWWA Hawaii Section Annual Conference Top Ops coordinator from before 2011
Trustee from 2013 to 2018
Vice-Chair and Strategic Planning chair for 2018-2019
Chair for 2019-2020
Past-Chair and Awards chair for 2020-2021

As Kevin’s colleague shares, “he is an effective problem solver, choosing to troubleshoot challenges in the field and in face-to-face brainstorming meetings. When Kevin says he’s got it covered, you can take that to the bank.”§

By Joanna Seto ~ Fuller Award Committee Chair

The Nomination Form for the 2025 Fuller Award can be downloaded here.

2024 Special Recognition Award Recipients

This award is presented to members who have untiringly served the Section in some capacity during the past year.

JOE TAIT

DANIEL KOGE

2024 Outstanding Section Member Recipient

KAWIKA UYEHARA

This award is presented to members who have contributed significantly to the progress and well-being of the AWWA-HI Section but who have not otherwise been previously recognized.

By Rich Hopkins ~ Awards Committee Chair & AWWA-HI Past Chair

2024 Scholarship Award Recipients

EMILY SOO BIN CHUNG

Emily is the daughter of AWWA Member Darnelle Chung and Craig Chung. Emily is a senior at Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus and plans to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the fall of 2024. Her curriculum of choice will be Civil Engineering with an emphasis on Environmental.

For the past four years, Emily has been a member of the Kamehameha Warrior Marching Band and Color Guard, where she has earned numerous awards and leadership roles. She has had the opportunity to represent the State of Hawaii with the Hawaii All State Marching Band at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. Community service is an important part of Emily’s time, from volunteering at Washington Place to Pacific American Foundation and Lokoai’a Pa’aiau. Much of her community service is focused on environment and the aina. Emily is passionate about continuing her higher education in Hawaii where she can focus on our community and environmental issues facing Hawaii.

TAYLOR CHUN

Taylor is the son of AWWA Member Marc Chun. Taylor is a senior at Punahou School and plants to attend the Seattle University. His interest lies in major/minor in Environmental Studies and Visual Arts for Photography. Taylor is looking forward to attending Seattle University and likes the sustainability efforts of the campus. He is hoping the University will expand his knowledge of the world and climate change so he can do his part to influence others for the sake of the planet.

KARISSA GINOZA

Karissa is the daughter of AWWA Member Kyle Ginoza. Karissa is a Freshman at the University of Southern California with a curriculum in Mechanical Engineering with a Pre-Professional emphasis in medicine.

In high school Karissa was a member of the Maui High School Honor Society, Vice President of the Math Club, participated in MIL and served as a class officer on the MHS Student Government just to name a few. In addition to her extracurricular activities, staying active and adventuring with family and friends, Karissa makes it a priority to challenge herself in the classroom. She is currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA her first semester of college.

Kyle Ginoza accepts Karissa’s award on her behalf.

Congratulations to all three recipients for earning the AWWA Hawaii Section Scholarship Award for 2024! §

By Shaun Yoshizawa ~ Scholarship Committee Chair

Last Updated: 07/22/2024_JS