Three Outstanding Young Persons’ Honored in Hawaii
by Rebecca Soon
On the evening of October 18, 2008, over 100 people gathered in a beautiful ballroom in Waikiki to celebrate the incredible work of eight young individuals in their dedication to Hawaii’s community. Representing a wide span of age and ethnic backgrounds, with professional experiences including public relations, banking, retail, nonprofit, healthcare, and education, the eight finalists of the Three Outstanding Young Persons’ Award (TOYP) each had in common that they represented the Jaycee belief that, “Service to humanity is the best work of life.”
Hosted by the Rising Phoenix Jaycees, TOYP Hawaii was held at Prince Kuhio, including a lovely evening of food, silent auction, entertainment, and fellowship. Keynote speaker, Christina Kemmer, CEO of Communications Pacific, spoke eloquently of servant leadership and the lifelong pathway to peace and peacemaking. Finalists were recognized for their dedication and excellence to community leadership, and the three honorees were recognized with a TOYP Award and $500 donation to a charity of their choice. The three honorees included: Shelley Wilson, Founder and CEO of Wilson Homecare, Brian Kajiyama, UH Team Manager and Motivational Speaker and Author for persons with disabilities, and Kekoa McClellan, Community Advocate and Commercial Banking Officer at Central Pacific Bank. Donations were made to Shriner’s Hospital, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, and Easter Seals Hawaii. (more…)