AWARDS

Congratulations to the 2026 AWWA Hawaii Section Award Recipients!
Please congratulate them when you see them!

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

2026 George Warren Fuller Award Recipient 

KAWIKA UYEHARA

Kawika Uyehara, 2026 George Warren Fuller Hawaii Award Recipient

The prestigious George Warren Fuller Award is presented annually to a member who has demonstrated distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of George Warren Fuller. Critical thinking, sound engineering skills and judgement, superb diplomatic talent and constructive leadership are a few of the characteristics used to describe Mr. Fuller and set the template when searching for the recipient of this distinguished award.  

AWWA Hawaii Section is proud to announce the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Fuller Award is Mr. Kawika Uyehara.

With nearly three decades of engineering experience and twenty years in the water industry, Kawika has successfully exhibited the skill, talent and leadership required for this award.  He has also held various positions within the AWWA Hawaii Section:

  • Water Utility Trustee and Chair of the Technical & Education Council where he oversaw the Workshops/Safety, Operators Training, Scholarship and Youth Education committees.

  • Chair of the Legislation/Regulation Committee.

Mr. Uyehara also has an accomplished filmography: appearing in public service announcements like “Imagine a Day without Water”, “Everything Starts with Wai” on HI Now Daily, to Naleo TV spots encouraging future guardians of our island’s wai. He tirelessly promotes the water industry, conservation, and protection of our most precious resource.

Kawika is a proud graduate of Waiakea High School and the University of Washington, earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and working for engineering consulting firms in Seattle and Honolulu. Returning to Hawaii island, he joined the Hawaii Department of Water Supply as a civil engineer in the Water Quality Branch in 2007. Since 2015, he has served the constituents of the County of Hawaii as the Deputy of the Department of Water Supply providing oversight of the Department’s Communications, Contracts, Energy Management, Human Resources and Information Systems branches. Mr. Uyehara’s passion and influence within our island community and the water industry is evident in the continued service to the people of the Big Island and throughout the State of Hawaii. Kawika Uyehara exemplifies what it means to share the mana’o and develop this passion amongst the next generation of water stewards.§

By Cliff Lum ~ Fuller Award Committee Chair

The Nomination Form for the 2027 Fuller Award can be downloaded here.

2026 Special Recognition Award Recipient

2026 Outstanding Section Member Recipient

This award is presented to a member who has untiringly served the Section in some capacity during the past year.

MICHAEL MIYAHIRA

Presented in sincere appreciation and recognition of your outstanding dedication, leadership, and commitment to advancing the mission of the American Water Works Association Hawai‘i Section and strengthening Hawai‘i’s water community.

Your contributions have helped support professional excellence, foster collaboration, and promote the protection and sustainability of our most precious resource -wai.

Your service, expertise, and willingness to support fellow water professionals have made a lasting and meaningful impact throughout Hawai‘i’s water industry.

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

SEAN SHIGENAGA

Proudly presented to Sean Shigenaga in recognition of your exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment to advancing the mission of the American Water  Works Association Hawaiʻi Section. Your contributions have strengthened our water community, supported professional excellence, and enhanced the protection and stewardship of Hawaiʻi’s wai.

Your service, collaboration, and commitment to the water industry reflect the highest standards of professionalism and embody the spirit of AWWA.

Mahalo nui loa, Mike and Sean, for your service and commitment to excellence.

By Juanita Reyher-Colon ~ Awards Committee Chair & AWWA-HI Past Chair

2026 Scholarship Award Recipients

ALIA HELLER

Alia is a Senior at Kalani High School and aspires to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education.  She currently serves as the Vice President of Kalani High Schools Future Teachers Club.  In addition to her academic and musical growth, Alia also has a black belt in taekwondo and spends much time volunteering over the past ten years in water conservation outreach alongside her mother, Lorna.  Her passion for teaching and building community through music is deeply rooted in her family’s longstanding dedication to education and service.  Alia believes that music has always been a way to connect with others and hopes to share that sense of community with her future students. 

MATTHEW HB CHUNG

Matthew is a Senior at Roosevelt and will be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa to pursue Civil Engineering.  Outside of academics, Matthew spends most of his time playing baseball for Roosevelt High School, with the role of Team Manager, and traveling with the Hawaii Elite Baseball Team.  He is committed to giving back to Hawaii through engineering innovation and is surrounded by his family that all have roles in the engineering community.   

MADELYN EDDY

Madelyn is a Senior at Island School and has plans to attend Vilanova University to pursue a degree in Biology and Biochemistry.  While excited to attend college on the East Coast, Madelyn understands that her home in Hawaii has shaped who she is and looks forward to the opportunity to broaden her perspective and worldview.  In addition to her focus on academics, she balances clubs, community service and sports.  Madelyn is also a two-year member of the National Honor Society and volunteers as a tutor for younger students.  Her goal of continuing higher education in the medical field to gain knowledge and skills to improve quality healthcare comes with a hope that no family will have to leave home for the care they deserve. 

Congratulations to all three recipients for earning the AWWA Hawaii Section Scholarship Award for 2026! §

By Shaun Yoshizawa ~ Scholarship Committee Chair

Last Updated: 07/08/2026_JS