Five honored at UH Hilo 2012 Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Banquet

Five honorees were celebrated at the UH Hilo 12th Annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Banquet. From left to right, Mark Nakashima, State Representative; Don Straney, UH Hilo Chancellor; honorees Jimmy Yagi, basketball coach; Gary Hara, Brigadier General, Hawaiʻi National Guard; Miyoko Sugano, Professor Emeritus; Ross Wilson, Principal, Current Events; Gladys Sonomura, community volunteer; and Gil Kahele, State Senator.

Chancellor Straney speaks at the celebration.

The accomplishments and contributions of five honorees were celebrated at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 12th Annual Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Banquet held Feb. 24. The event was sponsored by UH Hilo Alumni and Friends Association.

The 2012 Distinguished Alumni recipients are Gary Hara, Brigadier General, Hawaiʻi National Guard; Dennis O’Brien, Principal, E.B. de Silva Elementary School; Gladys Sonomura, community volunteer; and Ross Wilson, Principal, Current Events. Distinguished Service honorees are Miyoko Sugano, UH Hilo Professor Emeritus, and Jimmy Yagi, basketball coach.

The event also featured a silent auction to raise scholarship funds.

The 12th Annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet was held on campus in the Campus Center Dining Room.

Photos courtesy of UH Hilo University Relations.