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Ralph Kam and David Wilson received Hall of Honor awards Friday night at the annual Public Relations Society of America Hawai‘i Chapter Koa Anvil Awards gala.
Wilson, now retired, and Kam both are PRSA Fellows with decades of experience. They were among the PRSA Hawaii members singled out for special recognition in addition to the awards presented to several Hawaii companies at the event at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Wilson is a founder and principal of McNeil Wilson Communications Inc., which grew into the multidisciplinary Anthology Marketing Group, where he led the public affairs practice. He has provided counsel to clients in many industries, including state and county government, finance, security, litigation and construction.
Kam’s career in the field includes experience in government, health care, financial services and education. His recent contributions to the public relations field include revamping the PRSA Code of Ethics, but during his long career he also formed the professional foundations of many public relations practitioners as an instructor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Pacific University, Chaminade University and the University of Phoenix.
The Gregg W. Perry Public Relations Professional of the Year award was presented to Luly Unemori, president of Pono Communications, in part for co-founding and organizing LifeFest Maui, a multiday wellness event that was renamed LifeFest Kapalua after being acquired by Kapalua Resort.
Kira Chong Tim, account executive at Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations Inc., received the Hokupa‘a Award. The recognition goes annually to a relative newcomer in the field for demonstrating exceptional leadership potential and achievement.
Bennet Group Strategic Communications President and CEO Joan Bennet received the President’s Leadership Award for significant contributions to the success of the chapter and the profession.
For the Koa Anvil and Koa Hammer Awards, more than 120 entries were received.
Koa Anvils Awards are presented for complete public relations programs, while Koa Hammer Awards recognize outstanding public relations tactics that are part of a PR campaign.
Kimberly Fujinaka, director of Integrated Marketing Services at PacRim Marketing Group Inc., won the Best of Show award for her work in marketing for The Ziegfeld Collection by Tiffany & Co.
Castle Medical Center was presented with 22 awards for its communications work.
Among public relations agencies, Bennet Group Strategic Communications received 15 awards, followed by Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations Inc. with 11, Anthology Marketing Group with eight awards and Becker Communications Inc. with seven.
A full list of winners will be available at www.prsahawaii.org.
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COURTESY PRSA HAWAII