Student Leadership Recognition Awards
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Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Recognition Awards is held annually at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo. The recognition award's recognizes the contributions students have made in their formal and informal leadership roles on campus and in their community. The program acknowledges individuals, groups, teams or organizations who have shown strong evidence of their leadership potential.
This year's theme is from ‘Ōlelo No’eau, Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings, Mary Kawena Pukui #1540: “Ka pōhaku kihi paʻa" which translates to "The solid cornerstone. A reliable, dependable person." Trusted and dependable leaders are role models to their team, their department, their organization, and their community.
These are some of the awards given to Ka Lama Kū participants
Ka Lama Kū Leadership Values
Alaka‘i
Leadership
Leaders inspire, excite, and provide commitment toward shared goals. They are role models who are leading by example. They inspire and empower others to work towards a common goal.
‘Ike Pāpālua
To have the gift of vision
Leaders often need to “navigate unknown waters” and act upon situations and challenges that are beyond their expectations. They take risks that others would avoid, create change, and effectively communicate a shared vision for an organization.
Kuleana
We are accountable and responsible
Leaders instill and motivate others toward solutions, have respect, ho‘ihi, toward others and are effective communicators. They demonstrate problem-solving for positive action, communicate effectively and empowers others to work together.
Laulima
No task is too big when done by all
Leaders recognize the importance of teamwork, networking, and collaboration and they motivate others to make a difference every day. They gain the trust and respect of others by encouraging people to work together.
Mālama
Taking care of others and community
Leaders demonstrate care for the land, family, and/or spirituality. This is often through civic and social engagement. Leaders have deep respect and honor for others and accept their responsibilities unconditionally.
2024-2025 Nomination Form
The 2024-2025 Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Award nominations will open on January 16, 2025.
The nomination form will be available online. Students, Staff, Faculty, and RISO Advisors are all eligible to nominate individual students or student organizations and may submit more than one nomination.
The Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Development Program has developed a Suggestions & Tips for Ka Lama Kū Recommendation Essays. This document outlines some of the things that the awards committee looks for in essays to award student individuals/groups. Our office highly recommends that you take a look at this document before submitting your nomination.
All winners will be contacted the week starting March 25, 2025, via email. Our 2025 Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Award Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025 from 3:00-5:00pm in Campus Center 301.
For questions please contact the Campus Center Program Student Assistant at ccsa@hawaii.edu.
Awards Process
- Nominations will open Thursday, January 16, 2025.
- The Awards Committee will be formed in the Spring Semester. The committee is responsible for reading all nomination essays and references.
- References listed on the nomination form, will be emailed to complete a Google Form.
- This form will help the awards committee when deciding if a nomination should get awarded. Your scores will be added to the overall total score. All explanation descriptions for each category will be forwarded and taken into consideration to see if the student individual/group will be awarded. Please feel free to be as honest as you like, we highly suggest that you give examples for each rating.
- All nominees and nominators will be contacted via email with the decision of the awards committee.
- The Ka Lama Kū Awards Ceremony will be held on April 11, 2025. Check back here for updates. Award winners will be presented with their awards at this time.
2024-2025 Student Leadership Awards Committee
Aloha Kākou. ʻO Mekaila koʻu inoa. No North Kohala, Hawaiʻi mai au. Noho au i Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Aloha. My name is Mekaila and I was raised in North Kohala. I currently live in Hilo and I just graduated in May from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Multidisciplinary Hawaiian Studies certificate. I’m currently in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, still at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. My long-term goal is to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Hawaiʻi.
As a first-generation college student, from a small community, I understand first-hand the critical need for culturally-aligned counselors who validate and uphold mental health awareness and wellness in our island communities. I have had the pleasure of working with various campus and community organizations that have proven this crucial need for our ʻohana and lāhui. I want nothing more than to kōkua and kākoʻo the same communities that helped me. In my free time, I enjoy horseback riding, playing volleyball, and adventuring around the island. I look forward to being part of this committee that recognizes and awards outstanding leadership among wonderful students at our school!
Aloha mai kākou! My name is Kamahaʻo Kini-Lopes, but everyone calls me Kama. I am a P2 pharmacy student at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) at Hilo. During my undergraduate career here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, I majored in chemistry while being a pre-pharmacy student. I currently work as a Kaiser Pharmacy Intern at multiple locations between Hawaiʻi island and Oʻahu. I also serve as the DKICP Class of 2027 Class Liaison which entails addressing class concerns to faculty and staff, attending monthly faculty meetings, managing class recordings, and much more. I also serve as the Vice President for the Phi Delta Chi Gamma Theta chapter here at DKICP and look to participate and promote more rural community service events across the island. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and hanging out with friends in my free time. After graduating with my PharmD., I aspire to pursue ambulatory care with a specialty in cardiology to help improve patient’s quality of life at a higher level. As a Ka Lama Kū Student Leadership Awards Committee member, I am honored and grateful to help serve our campus to the best of my ability.