Historic Preservation > KAMA‘ĀINA OF THE YEAR™
KAMA‘ĀINA OF THE YEAR™

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF) annually honors individuals or organizations who have contributed to preserving Hawaii’s rich history and perpetuating the essence of Hawai‘i.  The Kama‘āina of the Year program honors community members and organizations who have made unique and lasting contributions to the preservation of Hawaii’s historic places and culture.  The event furthers Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s mission to preserve and encourage the preservation of historic buildings, objects, sites and communities.  The Kama‘āina of the Year benefit is Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s annual fundraising event and accounts for at a significant portion of its annual operating budget.
Past KOY Honorees:

2011Herb Kawainui Kane
2010Princess Abigail Kawananakoa
2009Daniel K. Inouye & Irene Hirano Inouye
2008Bert & Susan Kobayashi
2007Richard Kelley & Jeanne Rolles
2006Sam & Mary Cooke
2005Washington Place
2004John Morgan
2003Oz Stender
2002Thurston Twigg-Smith
2001Moana Hotel
2000Alexander & Baldwin
1999Ed Carter
1998Helen Cole
1997C. Dudley Pratt, Jr.
1996Waikiki
1995Chinatown
1994Kakaako
1993Peg & Bill Paty
1992Joan & Kenny Brown
1991Herman Von Holt
1990RJ "Bobby" Pfeiffer
1989Irmgard Farden Aluli
1988Abraham, Kahu Akaka
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation Names
SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA
AS 2012 KAMA‘ĀINA OF THE YEAR™

Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka will be honored as the “2012 Kama‘āina of the Year” at the annual Historic Hawai‘i Foundation (HHF) benefit on November 3, 2012.

Senator Akaka will be honored as the 2012 Kama‘āina of the Year in recognition of his public policy work that has been essential to the preservation of Hawaiian heritage for future generations.  He is the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the United States Senate. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Akaka has worked tirelessly to improve the lives and sustain the culture of Native people in Hawai‘i and throughout the United States.  For his lifetime of service to the people of Hawai‘i and the nation, Historic Hawai‘i Foundation is proud to honor Daniel Kahikina Akaka as its 2012 Kama‘āina of the Year.

“Through Senator Akaka’s steadfast leadership to assure equal treatment for Native Hawaiians, the Hawaiian history, language, culture and places have been sustained,” said Robert Iopa, President of Historic Hawai‘i Foundation.  “We will miss his wisdom and focus on preserving the Hawaiian culture not only through his work but also by the personal example he sets by living his life with aloha.”

Senator Akaka is the 25th recipient of the Kama‘āina of the Year award, which honors individuals who have made unique and lasting contributions to the preservation of Hawaii’s historic places and cultural resources. 

The event is Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s annual fundraiser and proceeds support the preservation of historic sites throughout the Hawaiian Islands.  The event will take place on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Monarch Room at The Royal Hawaiian A Luxury Collection Resort in Honolulu.

Stay tuned, additional information about the event will be posted in the coming months. If you have any questions please call HHF at 808-523-2900.