The annual Ho’omaika’i Employee Appreciation Awards recognized valued employees for their hard work, selfless dedication, and love for their job and the University. The awards given were to honor employees who “demonstrate a high degree of commitment to the University, its mission and values,” according to the BYU–Hawaii website.
President’s Appreciation Awards
The President’s Appreciation Awards, the Sione Feinga Award and the V. Napua Baker Award were among the awards given throughout the event. Laura Tevaga of University Communications and assistant to the president announced the two employees who received the President’s Appreciation Awards during the virtual event on Jan. 28.
Tevaga announced the first recipient of the award, Emilee Ching of Residential Life.
Ching’s nominator, who remained anonymous, said, “Nearly all the forms that we use daily have been designed or created by Emilee. … Our department would not be where it is without her contribution and hard work.”
The nominator also said they were impressed with Ching’s ability to handle the challenges the pandemic brought to her work with positivity and determination.
Marynelle Chew of the Joseph F. Smith Library was announced by Tevaga as the second recipient of the award.
Her nominator said of Chew, “There will be a void in our department when she decides to retire.” They said she demonstrates selfless dedication to the library by taking on “responsibilities that are not listed on her job title,” including working extra hours.
Sione Feinga Award
Olivia Moleni of the department of Information Technology Operations received the Sione Feinga award, Tevaga announced during the Zoom event.
Moleni’s nominator described her as “the older sister of the office” because she “looks out not just for herself but the whole department as well.”
V. Napua Baker Award
The V. Napua Baker Award was received by Eddie Maiava of the Ho’okele Department, Tevaga said during the virtual event.
“BYU–Hawaii is in his DNA, and this makes for one of the best recruiters for our beloved University,” Maiva’s nominator said. “Anyone who has traveled with Eddie or watched any of his presentations cannot help but feel his love for his job, our students, and how he cares for our University and all it stands for.”
Exemplary Employee Award
According to the BYUH website, the Exemplary Employee Award is given to those who demonstrate exceptional customer service, leadership, mentoring, self-improvement, efficiency, problem solving and teamwork skills.
Tevaga announced the four employees who received the Exemplary Employee Award during the Zoom event on Jan. 28:
Teaching: Neil Anderson - Faculty of Education & Social Work
Scholarship: Matt Bowen - Faculty of Religious Education
Citizenship: Leola Solis - Faculty of Education & Social Work
Citizenship: Kurt Johnson - Faculty of Education & Social Work
Anderson’s nominator said he is “a widely recognized expert on the subject.” They added, “He is loved by both students and colleagues” for his teaching talents.
Bowen was also described as an expert by his nominator. In addition, they said, “He is extremely productive and consistently creative, always working on new projects and ideas.” Bowen works specifically on “onomastics, the study of origins and names” to help him find “associated layers of meaning” within the scriptures.
Solis was recognized for her efforts in moving the English Language Program from in-person learning to remote learning. “She did an extraordinary job,” her nominator said.
Johnson also received the Exemplary Employee Award for managing COVID-19 related problems in his work. During the pandemic, the education program had its accreditation review. His nominator said, “This process is normally very demanding, … and Kurt stepped up to the plate.”