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2011 AWWA HI CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS >>
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Highlights of 2011 AWWA HI Conference
May 3 - 5, 2011
Hawaii Convention Center

The 37th Annual Conference of the American Water Works Association - Hawaii Section opened on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Hawaii Section Chair Audrey Yokota provided the opening remarks and Joseph Mantua, President of the American Water Works Association, provided an update on the affairs of the Association.

A total of 34 exhibitor booths were located in the Maui Room. The 25th Annual Pipe Tapping Contest was held on the Rooftop Garden of the Hawaii Convention Center. Last year's winners repeated again this year, with the men’s division won by the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply and the women's division won by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. Past years winners can be seen here.

MEN'S PIPETAPPING TIMES:

Hawaii County DWS Men's video (credit to doughawaii)

Honolulu BWS Men's video (credit to HonoluluBWS)

WOMEN'S PIPETAPPING TIMES:

Honolulu BWS Women's video (credit to HonoluluBWS)

The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply Men's Team consisted of Roy Miyasaki, Theodore Lindsey, Norris Gonsalves, and Coach Leonard Midallia. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply Women's Team included Danielle Ornellas, Carolyn "Cat" Sawai, and Susan Oda. The team was coached by Gary Fernandez. Participants for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply Men's Team included Branon Uyeda, Jeremy Kubo, Benedict Meria, and Coach Gary Fernandez. Congratulations to all of this year's contestants for all of their efforts!

Luncheon speaker Douglas Chin, Managing Director of the City and County of Honolulu, provided an update on the City and County of Honolulu. At the end of the day, conference attendees and exhibitors were able to unwind and catch up with one another at the annual Meet and Greet held in the Manufacturers exhibits room.

During the awards luncheon on Wednesday, May 4th, an AWWA Hawaii Section Scholarship was awarded to Anne Uruu, a freshman attending the University of Portland, majoring in Business and Marketing. The 2011 George Fuller Award went to Woodie Muirhead.   Woodie has held numerous leadership roles within the section. Most notably he was Hawaii Section Chair in 2008-2009 and the Conference Chair for our annual conference from 2001-2003.  The 2011 Outstanding Section Member Award went to Elson Gushiken, who has been an active member since 1993 and served as chairs of the AWWA Hawaii Section Small Water Systems and Water Reuse committees. He became an AWWA Hawaii Section trustee in 2004 and later served as Section Vice-Chair and Chair.  Harry Imai was recognized as the recipient of the Gold Water Drop Award for 50 years of continuous membership.

The day concluded with a combined Installation Program and Reception was held in the Ala Halawai Concourse of the Hawaii Convention Center. AWWA President Joseph Mantua was presented with gifts from the Hawaii Section, and the AWWA Service Plaque was presented to Audrey Yokota for serving as the Section Chair. In addition, Life Member Awards were presented to Stephen Bowles, George Kuo, Robert Purdie, Jr. and David Yogi, Jr.

The last day of the conference on May 5th included presentations on risk management, Keju Island in Korea, and developing an underground 25 MGD water source. The conference concluded with the 16th annual Water for People golf tournament at Waikele Golf Course, which was organized by golf tournament chair Jeff Pearson.

Below are images from the 37th Annual AWWA Hawaii Section Conference courtesy of Susan Uyesugi, Sandy Nahoopii-Soong, and Audrey Yokota. Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image.

2011 AWWA HI CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS >>
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