Soroptimist International of Central Oahu, Honolulu and Waikiki recently presented awards honoring high-school students leading volunteer efforts, women who are making a difference, and others turning their lives around.
The Soroptimist Ruby Award recognizing women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls was presented to Edith Leong and Mary Scott-Lau.
Leong has helped to bring water for an irrigation system to Malawi so quinoa can be grown successfully. Scott-Lau is founder of the local organization Women in Need, which teaches free basic life skills classes at the Women’s Community Correctional Center and at transitional housing locations.
Violet Richardson Awards honoring young women for volunteer efforts were presented to Alexa Anderson, Kalaheo High School; Sylvia Nguyen, Sacred Hearts Academy; and Britnee Akau, Kauai High School.
Seven women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families were presented monetary awards to help improve their education, skills and job prospects. The recipients were Rieko Nieto, Amanda Busmente, Dionne M. Infiel, Krystlyn-Leimomi N. Lorenzo, Melanee A. Terry, Lehua A. Hanaike-Kava and an anonymous recipient.
Chief justice picks Nagata
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald has appointed Darien W.L. Ching Nagata to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of District Judge Barbara T. Takase.
If confirmed by the state Senate this session, Nagata will serve a term of six years.
Nagata has been a Hawaii County deputy prosecuting attorney since 1998. She currently supervises the District and Family Court domestic units, and has previously supervised the CircuitCourt unit that handles sexual assaults, homicides and violent crimes. From 2008 to 2014 Nagata was cross-deputized to serve as the special assistant U.S. attorney for Hawaii, assistingwith Project Safe Neighborhood.
She has served nine years as a volunteer arbitrator for the Hawaii County Court Annexed Arbitration Program, and as a volunteer mediator with the Hawaii County Foreclosure MediationProgram.
Nagata is a graduate of the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1997.
Officers need public’s help
Hawaii County police are asking for the public’s help in finding a generator stolen in January in Honokaa.
An older-model Hitachi 6000 generator on wheels was taken from a base yard on Wailana Place. The faded green generator had a black frame; its fuel gauge cover was sealed with silicone.
Anyone with information about this theft is asked to call police at 935-3311 or Officer Charles Martins at 775-5733. Anonymous calls can be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
