AWARDS >>

The AWWA Hawaii Section annually recognizes select members that have contributed significantly to the organization through its awards program. The Hawaii Section awards include the George Warren Fuller Award, the Outstanding Section Member Award, and the Special Recognition Award. Click here to see a listing of past awardees.

2008 GEORGE WARREN FULLER AWARDEE

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 the sound engineering skill . . . the brilliant diplomatic talent . . . and the constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller.

George Warren Fuller was first of all a capable engineer, equipped with a mind that never closed a channel to new ideas. He was an inventive technician - first in the laboratory, later in engineering and design. He was a skilled negotiator, a public relations counsel who never called himself one, but who by such skill persuaded reluctant city officials that they were very wise to authorize sanitary improvements. He was a loyal citizen who found himself able and willing to render service to his country during World War I. He was uncannily able to give ear to the ideas and aspirations of younger men in the field and to inspire in them the spirit of leadership that he possessed. He believed in the organization of technical and professional men and devoted himself fully to the advancement of their associations and societies.

This year’s award is a posthumous award to Clifford Jamile, who passed away on March 10, 2007 after battling cancer. Born and raised in Papokolea, Cliff was the oldest of seven children and a Kamehameha Schools senior when his father died. He then served as the family leader and earned his engineering degree from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York in 1960. He served two years at sea and then returned to Hawaii joining the Board of Water Supply in 1963 as a mechanical engineer in the Plant Operations Division. He served in numerous positions for the next 35 years before he was named manager and chief engineer in 1998, a position he held until retirement in 2005.

Cliff was a visionary and a leader. One of his key legacies will be what he taught Hawaii about water stewardship. Cliff drew from his native Hawaiian heritage the ahupua’a land management concept to focus on watershed protection as a key component of water management. The BWS mission – Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola – grew out of this concept.

Cliff was also an active community volunteer. As the father of eight children, he volunteered with Pacific Palisades Teen Club, Little League baseball, Pop Warner football, Cub Scouts and as Pearl City High School junior varsity and varsity baseball assistant coach. In 2007, he was recognized by the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce as one of the recipients of its O’o award. The O’o award recognizes Native Hawaiian individuals who have made significant contributions to improve their community and elevate the status of Native Hawaiians.

In his characteristic modest way, Cliff never sought recognition for his accomplishments and contributions. However, today, the AWWA Hawaii Section honors and recognizes Cliff for his many contributions to our profession and our community by awarding him with the George Warren Fuller award, our Section’s highest honor. His son Kala, accepted the Fuller Award on behalf of his father at the Annual Conference Banquet (click here or on thumbnail image on the left to see the full sized photo).

2008 OUTSTANDING SECTION MEMBER AWARDEES

The Outstanding Section Member Award is presented to members who, through their interest and demonstrated activity, have contributed significantly to the progress and well-being of the AWWA Hawaii Section. This year's recipients are Roy Silva and Eric Yamashige.

Roy has served as the At-Large Trustee for the Annual Conference Council and as the Annual Conference Chair for the past two years. He has had the difficult task of having to schedule the past two annual conferences at new venues, but has done an exceptional job each time.

Eric has served as the Water Utility Trustee for the Technical and Educational Council for the past two years. He has had the difficult task of assembling the technical program for the Annual Conference. Congratulations to Roy and Eric for their outstanding contributions to the AWWA Hawaii Section.

You can click here or on the thumbnail image above to view Roy and Eric receiving their Outstanding Member Awards from Past Chair Elson Gushiken and AWWA Vice-President Craig Woolard.

2008 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDEES

The Special Recognition Award recognizes members who have untiringly served the Section in some capacity during the past year. This year, Special Recognition Awards were presented to Lyuba Puzakova, and Timothy Lum Yee, AWWA Hawaii Section Young Professionals (YP) Co-Chairs, and Lauren Arizumi, Past YP Co-Chair, for their enthusiastic efforts in getting younger members to participate in association events. Highlights of Past YP events can be viewed here.

You can click here or on the thumbnail image above to view Lyuba and Tim receiving their Special Recognition Awards from Past Chair Elson Gushiken and AWWA Vice-President Craig Woolard.

2008 AWWA LIFE MEMBERS

This year, a total of five AWWA Hawaii members were recognized with Life Memberships. This award recognizes people who have been a member of AWWA for 30 years. This year's recipients include Adam Coelho Jr, Douglas Kamiya, Jon Nishimura, Kenneth Sakai, and William Thompson.