Community Heroes Awards 2022

This year during #volunteerweekhawaii we’re putting a focus back on recognition with the COMMUNITY HEROES AWARDS

Submit your nomination! 

Complete this PDF Application Form

2022 Community Heroes Award Application (PDF version of the contents of this page)

2022 COMMUNITY HEROES AWARDS
Let’s celebrate our heroes who make a difference in our community!
Sponsored by:

Office of Senator Bennette E. Misalucha

Office of Representative Nadine Nakamura

Office of Representative Lisa Kitagawa

Kanu Hawai‘i

APPLICATION FORM

Through their volunteer work in the community, unsung heroes have made our districts a better, livable, and more sustainable place. Despite their hectic work and family schedules, they continue to give of themselves, expending time, money and commitment beyond the call of duty. These outstanding volunteers are truly what makes our beloved communities a great place to work, live and play.
The 2022 Community Heroes Awards will honor and recognize residents who have exemplified outstanding leadership and volunteer service to their community. A total of four awardees will be selected:

two from Senate District 16 (one ‘Aiea resident and one Pearl City resident),

one from House District 14 (Kaua‘i covering Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Kapa‘a, and Wailua) and

one from House District 48 (Kāne‘ohe, Kahalu‘u, and Waiāhole).

Nominate someone you know who embodies the community core values and practices them, not just within their families, but extends that to their community. Self-nominations are also accepted.

Applications will be available starting Monday, February 21, 2022 through each respective legislators’ office and online at https://www.kanuhawaii.org. Completed forms must be submitted via email to communityheroeshawaii@gmail.com by Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. HST. The winners will be announced during Volunteer Week on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

This volunteer recognition program is jointly sponsored by the Office of Senator Bennette E. Misalucha (Senate District 16), Office of Representative Nadine Nakamura (House District 14), Office of Representative Lisa Kitagawa (House District 48), and Kanu Hawai‘i, a grassroots organization that seeks to provide tools and opportunities for people to connect with one another—to take action that builds more compassionate and resilient communities across Hawai‘i.

RULES:

1. All residents of each respective district are eligible to be nominated.

2. To be considered, the volunteer should have participated in an organization or activity for at least six months prior to January 1, 2022.

3. The volunteer service should have taken place within the State.

4. One nomination form for each person.

5. Self-nominations will be accepted.

6. The nominee’s consent/signature is required.

7. Kanu Hawai‘i will choose a Selection Committee responsible for choosing the awardees from each district. The Selection Committee shall comprise of third-party community leaders.

8. All nomination forms will only be accessible by the Kanu Hawai‘i, the Selection Committee, and staff of each respective legislators’ office.

9. All nominees’ and awardees’ names will be kept strictly confidential prior to the award selection.

10. The decision of the Selection Committee will be final.
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CRITERIA:

We realize volunteerism may be difficult to quantify or validate. Who can say which is most impactful: the one year of intense activity or the 10 years of continuous stable interaction? The Selection Committee will be considering several factors in their decision, amongst them:

a. the effectiveness (results of the contribution to the community)

b. the scope of the volunteer efforts

c. the amount and length of time involved

d. the comprehensiveness and diversity of the volunteer’s community involvement

e. the depth in which the contribution exceeds expectations

f. how these contributions are linked to our community core values

Here are a sampling of volunteer contributions that may be recognized:

a. Education (volunteering at your Parent Teacher Association or school campus; Read America)

b. Environment (being part of beach clean-up, or environmental groups)

c. Housing/Construction (Habitat for Humanity, trade associations)

d. Sports/Recreation (coaching youth athletic programs)

e. Children/Youth (Adult Friends for Youth, etc.)

f. Health (American Cancer Society, Red Cross)

g. Elderly (Meals on Wheels, etc.)

AWARDS:

There will be four awardees that will be residents of Senate District 16 (2), House District 14 (1), and House District 48 (1) as described in the introductory message. The awardees will be notified by email or phone during the week of April 4, 2022. Each awardee will be presented with an Honorary Certificate from the Hawai‘i State Legislature during a virtual ceremony during Volunteer Week on Saturday, April 16, 2022.

SUBMISSIONS:

Applications can be found online at https://www.kanuhawaii.org or through each respective legislators’ offices. Please email your completed forms to communityheroeshawaii@gmail.com by Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. HST. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

For more information, please call (808) 586-6230 or senmisalucha@capitol.hawaii.gov.

If you need an application, please reach out to your/the nominee’s legislator’s office:

Senator Bennette E. Misalucha

Senate District 16

(Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit,
‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Hālawa, Pearl Harbor)

(808) 586-6230

senmisalucha@capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Nadine Nakamura

House District 14
(Kaua‘i covering Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Kapa‘a, and Wailua)

(808) 586-8435

repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Lisa Kitagawa

House District 48

(Kāne‘ohe, Kahalu‘u, and Waiāhole)

(808) 586-8540

repkitagawa@capitol.hawaii.gov