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• AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Synagro & Sand Island WWTP Tour (April 1, 2011)
• AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Beach Cleanup (March 12, 2011)
• 37th Annual AWWA Hawaii Section Conference (May 3 - May 5, 2011)
• AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Session - 2011 AWWA Conference (May 4, 2011)
• AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Tsunamis Pau Hana (May 26, 2011)
• AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals World Ocean's Day Service Project (June 11, 2011)
• AWWA ACE 2011 Highlights (June 12-16, 2011)
• Mayor's Proclamation for BWS Women's Pipe Tapping National Champions (July 6, 2011)
• Honolulu Board of Water Supply Recognition of Women's Pipe Tapping Champions (July 25, 2011)
• AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals General Meeting (August 8, 2011)

AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Synagro & Sand Island WWTP Tour
April 1, 2011
Sand Island, Oahu

The AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Committee (YP) hosted a tour of the City & County of Honolulu's Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) on Friday, April 1, 2011. Both YP and members of AWWA and HWEA attended. The tour included the biosolids facilities operated by Synagro. The biosolids processing includes anaerobic digestion, heat drying, and pelletization technologies. Following the Synagro tour, Athan Adachi, City and County of Honolulu Chief of the Division of Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, led a tour of the remaining treatment processes at the plant. The Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant is a chemically-enhanced primary treatment facility. Attendees toured the headworks facility, primary clarifiers, sludge pumping facilities, UV disinfection, and effluent pumping facilities. A tour of the control center for various treatment plants and pump stations was also provided. The event had a great turnout with 16 attendees.

Special thanks to Kenny Huy of Synagro and Athan Adachi of the City and County of Honolulu for sharing their time and providing the attendees with a tour of the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities. Click on the thumbnails below to view highlights from the event:

YP Photo 1

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AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Beach Cleanup
March 12, 2011
Sand Island Beach Park, Oahu

On Saturday, March 12, 2011, the AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Committee (YP) held a beach clean up at the Sand Island Beach Park. The Sand Island Beach Park is part of the Sand Island State Recreation Area and features picnic and camping grounds, a beach, and surfing spot.

YP members armed with gloves and trash bags picked up trash along the beach and park grounds. The goal of the beach clean up was to assist in the preservation of a local beach and provide YP members an opportunity to network and meet new people.

Overall, the beach clean up was a success. The beach clean up provided a great opportunity to give back to the community. Many bags were filled with trash and attendees were rewarded with a bento lunch. Members enjoyed the lunches and the fellowship.

Thank you to Troy Ching, Tammy Akiyama, Jason Soriano, Terry Chan, Sean Ogata, Megan Inouye, Kelu Zhang, Kawika Kaulukukui, and Staci Kunitake for all of their hard work in helping to preserve one of Oahu's beaches. Click on the thumbnails below to view highlights from the event:

YP Photo 1

YP Photo 2

YP Photo 3

36th Annual AWWA Hawaii Section Conference
May 3 - 5, 2011
Hawaii Convention Center

Event Highlights can be viewed here.

AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Session - 2011 AWWA Conference
May 4, 2011
By Lance Takehara, YP Secretary

The AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Committee (YP) held a session at the 2011 AWWA Hawaii Conference.  Many YPs were in attendance at the 37th annual AWWA Hawaii Conference to learn about our island's water resources, distribution systems, and to pick up information on the latest products from the industry’s manufacturers.  During the second day of the conference, the YPs were encouraged to participate in the YP session featuring guest speaker, Mike Fuke, of HDR.   Mike had many words of wisdom for the YPs concerning career development, working with peers, and managing projects.  Experienced AWWA members representing other engineering consultants chimed in and provided additional insight regarding the importance of networking, staying on top of current technologies, and the importance of communication.  Overall, the YP session was a great opportunity for YPs to learn from experienced professionals in the industry and meet other YPs with similar interests in the water industry.

AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Tsunami’s Pau Hana
May 26, 2011
By Lance Takehara, YP Secretary

On Thursday, May 26, the AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Committee (YP) hosted a "pau hana" social event at Tsunami's Bar and Grill.  Lots of good food, drinks, and of course, good company made for a fun-filled evening for the YPs to kick back, network, and learn about YP.  The event was officially listed to conclude at 6:30 pm, but many hung around to mingle late into the night.

With over 30 attendees from various private consulting firms and public entities, it was a great opportunity to network and make new friends in the industry.  We appreciate all of the members who brought colleagues from their respective companies and encouraged participation in AWWA|HWEA. Those interested in becoming more involved should contact co-chairs Staci Kunitake and Kawika Kaulukukui.

Raise a glass to a successful event and we look forward to seeing you all at our next function!

AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals World Ocean's Day Service Project
June 11, 2011
Mokauea Island, Oahu
By Alyssa “Sunshine” Smith, YP Community Service Chair

The AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Committee (YP) joined 300 other volunteers to participate in the 2011 World Ocean's Day service project at Mokauea Island on Saturday, June 11.  Mokauea Island is located a half-mile off Sand Island and is the last Hawaiian fishing village on Oahu.  This project was coordinated by Kai Makana and the Mokauea Fisherman's Association (MFA) in hopes to restore the island in both environmental and cultural aspects by clearing invasive species, planting native species, removing trash, and rebuilding the fishpond.

The YPs were given an outrigger paddling lesson, hopped in a canoe, and paddled their way over to the 10-acre island.  Once they reached the shoreline, they were given the task of unloading a barge full of trash that had accumulated on the island over the past few months.  Once the barge was cleared, they assisted one of the residents in cleaning up the area around the newly constructed compost toilet facility.  The composting toilet facility was built specifically for future volunteers and visitors with the hope that they will have the opportunity to learn about the environment and Hawaiian culture during their stay.

Another resident, Joni Bagood, and the MFA historian, Kehau Souza, gave the YPs a history lesson about the island and its importance to Hawaii's culture.  They were then given a tour of the fishpond by Daniel Amato, a UH graduate student who has been removing invasive algae for the past 5 years.

This event allowed for everyone to learn about the environment and Hawaiian culture while making a positive difference for present and future generations.

YP Photo 1

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A special thanks to Carrie Esaki, Dayna Fujimoto, Kawika Kaulukukui, Staci Kunitake, Tim Lum Yee, Jason Nakata, Wai Ng, Travis Nishino, Neil Nugent, Lauren Seu, Alyssa "Sunshine" Smith, and Winston Taniguchi for their support in helping revive Mokauea Island.

ACE 2011
June 12-16, 2011
Washington, D.C.

Event highlights can be viewed here.

Mayor's Proclamation for BWS Women's Pipe Tapping National Champions
July 6, 2011
Honolulu Hale, Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle declared July 6, 2011 as "Honolulu Board of Water Supply Women's Pipe Tapping Team Day" for their accomplishments at the 2011 American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition Pipe Tapping Contest held June 15, 2011 in Washington D.C. The BWS team successfully defended their pipe tapping title with a time of 2 minutes and 35.81 seconds. Congratulations to team members Carolyn "Cat" Sawai, Danielle Ornellas, Susan Oda, and their coach, Gary Fernandez on a job well done! Click here or on the thumbnail on the left to see a photo of the champions with Mayor Peter Carlisle and BWS Manager Dean Nakano.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply Recognition of Women's Pipe Tapping Champions
July 25, 2011
Honolulu, Oahu

On July 25, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply recognized the BWS Women's Pipe Tapping Champions with certificates. The BWS Women took first place in the Pipe Tapping Contest held at the American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition on June 15, 2011 in Washington D.C. Congratulations to the team for representing the 808! Click here or on the thumbnail on the left to see a photo of the team with Board of Directors Chair Randall Chung.

AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals General Meeting
August 8, 2011
Kanpai Bar and Grill
By Lance Takehara, YP Secretary

The AWWA|HWEA Young Professionals Committee (YP) held a general meeting on August 8, 2011 at Kanpai Bar and Grill.  With over 18 people in attendance, there were many new faces that came to listen and learn what YP is about and how they could get involved.  With upcoming social, community service, and educational events in the pipeline, there was a lot to be excited about. Many of the new members contributed ideas and helped to select upcoming community service events.

Current HWEA President, Kyle Yukumoto, was also in attendance to give a brief synopsis of HWEA and to commend the YPs on actively promoting both organizations and helping to make a difference.  Once through the organized agenda, most of the YPs hung around to enjoy the awesome pupus, kick back, and socialize with other YPs.

PAST EVENTS >>
  || 2011 ||  2010  ::  2009  ::  2008  ::  2007  ::  2006  ::  2005  :: 2004  ::