Community Awards
Watch the 2021 – 2022 Community Awards Event
Award Categories
Each year TIAH offers awards to organizations and individuals in the following categories.
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
This award seeks to recognize a Hawai‘i based organization or institution that – through its witness and actions – has provided a positive healing role in Hawai‘i during the past year.
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
This award seeks to recognize a Hawai‘i based organization or institution that – through its witness and actions – has encouraged exemplary, non-violent civic participation during the past year.
Facilitating Community Activism
This award seeks to recognize a Hawai‘i based organization or institution that – through its witness and actions – has facilitated community activism during the past year.
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
This award seeks to recognize a Hawai‘i based organization or institution that – through its witness and actions – has effectively challenged religious or political extremism in Hawai‘i in the past year.
Flame of Hope Award
This award seeks to recognize a Hawai‘i resident, who through his or her witness and actions has ignited or fanned a flame of hope in Hawai‘i.
Award Recipients
Although the Annual Celebration Dinner was first held in 2003, the Community Awards were first given in 2004. This is a listing of prior years’ winners. Mahalo nui loa for their gifts and generous spirits.
Click a heading to display the themes, keynote speakers, and award winners for that year.
2019
COMPASSIONATE CARING
November 24 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Josh Green
HONOREES
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
National Alliance for Mental Health Hawaii (NAMI)
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
Mana Maoli
Facilitating Community Activism
Kua’aina ‘Auamo (KUA)
Flame of Hope
Connie Mitchell & Kimo Carvalho, The Institute of Human Services
2018
WHO CARES? DO WE?
November 18 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer
HONOREES
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
Facilitating Community Activism
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
Flame of Hope
Rev. John Heidel
Special Recognition & Appreciation
2017
Rekindling TRUST
November 12 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Keynote Speaker: William K “Uncle Billy” Richards, Hōkūleʻa and Polynesian Voyaging Society President
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Pu’a Foundation
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii (JCCH)
Facilitating Community Activism
Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA)
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
Hawaii Coalition for Civil Rights (HCCR)
Flame of Hope
Patricia Masters
Special Recognition & Appreciation
Rose Nakamura, Administrator, Project Dana
2016
It’s Not My Problem: Taking Responsibility in an Irresponsible World
October 23rd at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Keynote Speaker: Della Au Belatti, Hawaii House of Representatives
SPARKS OF HOPE awards went to eleven individuals from all areas of Oahu who stepped up to responsibility: they saw a need or problem and committed to work with or through others to achieve a beneficial result, showing initiative and dedication, helping others, and most of all, being an inspiration to those around them.
Awardees
- Mike Compton
- Lynette Cruz
- Lorraine Dove
- Catherine Graham
- Herman Kiili
- Lt. Col. Ann Freed (Ret.)
- Steve Montgomery, Ph.D.
- Nancy Rowe & “Soup After Jazz”
- Matthew Taufete‘e
- Terrina Wong
- Blane Yamagata
2015
ACTION NOW! Positive Response to Houseless Crisis
November 1st at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Keynote Speaker: Rick Blangiardi, HawaiiNewsNow General Manager
SPARKS OF HOPE awards were given to multiple groups and individuals who inspire, partner, or mobilize others with their positive efforts in areas of information-gathering, housing, health, and social services important to the homeless.
Awardees
- Feeding Hawaii Together, Mother Waldron Park
- Hawaii Foodbank
- Barbers Point US Vets
- Faith Action for Community Equity
- Family Promise
- Partners in Care: Houseless Data, City & County of Honolulu Department of Housing
- Housing First
- Deric Valaroso: Police Officer
- Helping Hands
- Institute for Human Services
- Waikiki Health Center
- Saint Mary’s of Moiliili
- Central Union Church
- The Parish of Saint Clement’s Church
- Saint John the Baptist Episcopal Church
- Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church
- Anne Kishi and Ginger Miller, Chaminade Hogan Entrepreneurial Program
- Kaahumanu Church: Dr. Richard Walenta
2014
Transformation to a Better World
October 12th at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Welton Gaddy, President, Interfaith Alliance National
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i Conference of Religions for Peace: A-bombs Exhibit for Peace
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
Equality Hawai‘i
Facilitating Community Activism
Hawai‘i Interfaith Power and Light
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
The Cathedral of St. Andrew and Dean Walter B.A. Brownridge
Flames of Hope
Sister Joan Chatfield, M.M., Rev. Samuel Cox, Bishop Yoshiaki Fujitani, Dr. Paul Gracie, Rev. Dr. John Heidel, Rev. Dr. Teruo Kawata, Rev. Kekapa Lee, Rev. Irene Matsumoto, and Rev. Barbara Grace “Babs” Ripple
2013
Compassionate Leadership for the 21st Century: The Next Generation
October 13th at Nu‘uanu Congregational Church
Keynote Panelists: Ishmael Stagner, Nalani Takushi, & Glenda Dudulao
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Josephine Chang & Suzy Roth for Da Moms
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
Antonia Alvarez for Mental Health of America-Hawai‘i
Facilitating Community Activism
Judith Clark for Hawai‘i Youth Services Network
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
Steve Lohse for First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
Flame of Hope
Ella Lacanienta
2012
Compassion in Action: Spirit of Kindness
November 18 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Keynote: Dr Joel & Michelle Levey
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Family Promise Hawai‘i
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
Malu ‘Aina Center for Nonviolent Education and Action
Facilitating Community Activism
Hoa ‘Aina o Makaha
Flame of Hope Award
Pieper Toyama, Head of School, Pacific Buddhist Academy
2011
In Special Recognition of Hospices
October 2 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Keynote: Clarence Liu
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Hospice in Hawai‘i
Saint Francis, Hospice Hawaii, Gregory House, Islands Hospice, Bristol Hospice, and Kōkua Mau
Encouraging Non-Violent Civic Participation
Community Alliance on Prisons
Facilitating Community Activism
Hawai‘i Coalition Against Legalized Gambling
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral
Flame of Hope Award
Representative Blake Oshiro
2010
Wisdom and Compassion for Today
November 14 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Keynote: Ronald C. White, Jr., Ph.D., author of Lincoln’s Greatest Speech
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
American Friends Service Committee, Hawai‘i Area Program
Encouraging Nonviolent Civic participation
Nakem Youth
Facilitating Community Activism
Faith in Action for Community Equity (FACE)
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
The Parish of St. Clement, Episcopal
Flame of Hope
Reverend Yoshiaki Fujitani
Special Award
Mary Adamski
2009
Civil Liberties in Times of Crisis
October 11 at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Keynote: Professor Jon Van Dyke
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Pacific Health Ministries
Encouraging Nonviolent Civic participation
Interfaith Round Table Kaua‘i
Facilitating Community Activism
Hawai‘i People’s Fund
Challenging Religious or Political Extremism
Family Equality Coalition Hawai‘i
Flame of Hope
Hakim Ouansafi, Muslim Association of Hawai‘i
2008
How Free and Fair is the Press?
October 12 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Keynote: Jerry Burris
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Shinnyo-En Hawaii (Annual Floating Lantern Event for Peace)
Facilitating Community Activism
The Church of the Crossroads
The First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
The First Unitarian Church of Honolulu
Flame of Hope
Rob Hail
2007
How Safe Are Our Nation’s Freedoms?
October 7 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Keynote: Honorable Mazie Hirono
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Counseling and Spiritual Care Center of Hawaii
Encouraging Nonviolent Civic Participation
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i
Facilitating Community Activism
The Japanese American Citizens League – Honolulu Chapter
Flame of Hope
Ann Wright
2006
The Truth About Homelessness
October 21 at Honpa Hongwanji Hawai‘i Betsuin
Keynote: Utu Langi
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
H-5, Hawaii Helping the Hungry Have Hope
Encouraging Nonviolent Civic Participation
Kokua Council
Facilitating Community Activism
Life of the Land
Challenging Religious and Political Extremism
ACLU Hawai‘i
Flame of Hope
Lt. Ehren Watada
2005
Another World is Possible
October 15 at the Nu‘uanu Congregational Church
Keynote: Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i International Forgiveness Project
Encouraging Nonviolent Civic Participation
Project Dana
Facilitating Community Activism
Veterans for Peace, Hawaii Chapter
Challenging Religious and Political Extremism
American Civil Liberties Union
Flame of Hope – Grace Furukawa
2004
Being Faithful in a Time of Hate and Violence
October 16 at the Honpa Hongwanji Betsuin Hawai‘i
Keynote: Dr. Gwynne Guibord
Healing Role in Hawai‘i
Hina Mauka
Encouraging Nonviolent Civic Participation
Clean Elections Hawai‘i
Facilitating Community Activism
Hawai‘i Juvenile Justice Project
Challenging Religious and Political Extremism
Equality Hawai‘i
Flame of Hope
Hawai‘i Citizens for the Separation of State and Church