The CTAHR ‘Ohana Banquet drew a sizable and smiling crowd to the Japanese Cultural Center the evening of April 12.
Festooned end-to-end with spectacular floral arrangements that rival any other event in the state, bar none, the aesthetics in the ballroom were a testament to the Hawaiian concept of laulima – with many hands the work is lighter. As Jari Sugano noted, “Once again, we get through banquet week with everyone’s kokua. Best team ever. Mahalo to the Extension volunteers for taking time to help us plant, fertilize, gather, wash, pack, and deliver the flowers for the banquet.”
Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye and Ken Kamiya of Kamiya Papaya were this year’s Ka Lei Hano Award and Outstanding Alumnus Award recipients, respectively, and their combined star power drew attendance and sponsorship from the halls of power across the state.
As always, Derek Kurisu masterfully worked the crowd as the Master of Ceremonies, and Associate Dean for Extension Jeremy Elliot-Engel engaged folks with an edutainment game on Extension’s far-reaching activities in community outreach. All while a cadre of CTAHR’s MA and PhD students worked behind the scenes to ensure every segment of the program went off without a hitch.
Mahalo nui loa to the volunteers – CTAHR staff, students, volunteers, faculty, even spouses – without whom the Banquet wouldn’t have been nearly as successful:
Godwin Polendey, Teri Sunada, Asia Pang, Kayla Maki, Audrey Hirayama, Tessie Amore, Orville Baldos, Tina Lau, Alberto Ricordi, Matt Chun-Hori, Chelsea Miller, David Honsberger, Brad Reil, Kaylee Cordeiro, Mason Russo, Kapono Gaughen, and the Students of TPSS 491.
The 'Ohana Banquet is now the Closing Reception of the CTAHR Conference.