Chamber’s Pualu Award winners feted at luncheon

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce established the Pualu Awards in 1979 to honor outstanding individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations in West Hawaii. The awards celebrate those who work together. Winners, one in each of seven categories, were recognized at the recent Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce annual Installation Banquet and Membership Luncheon at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Friday.

Gerald Cysewski of Cyanotech was the recipient of the Business Innovation Award. Cysewski took an operation at the micro-scale and turned it into a 90-acre compound at the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park administered by the Natural Energy Lab of Hawaii Authority. Cysewski is a world leader in developing innovative technology in producing microalgae and nutraceuticals.

The Community Education Award was presented to Hospice of Kona. The organization offers education programs enabling others to learn more about coping with death. Programs offered include Hospice’s insightful “Death Over Dinner” events and Camp Erin, a bereavement for children.

The Office of Maunakea Management earned the Culture &Heritage award. Its historic monitoring plan provides action steps to monitor, protect and preserve more than 200 historic features. Under the guidance of Kahu Ku Mauna, the volunteer Native Hawaiian advisory council works to achieve a balance between honoring cultural practices and preserving sites for future generations.

The Environmental Awareness Award was presented to the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative. The initiative started with a group of volunteers who obtained a lease on a neglected 275-acre parcel with the hope of trying to restore Hawaii’s dry land native forest. Key community efforts included the WiliWili Festival and the Future Foresters of Waikoloa.

Hawaii Forest and Trail and Kohala Zipline was the recipient of the Visitor Industry Marketing Award. Not only do this company’s guides and staff understand the value in what they share with visitors, they also know the importance of the journalist’s time and how to deeply connect an individual to place. Their marketing efforts have paid dividends, as they’ve been featured on the Travel Channel, the Today Show and the New York Times, among others.

The Lifetime Service Award was presented to Ron Aronson. Since arriving to Hawaii in 1970, Aronson has shared his passion and leadership skills for nearly five decades. Among his many positions, he was a charter member of the Kona Toastmasters, and served as their first president. He was the vice president of the Kanahahou Hawaiian Foundation. He was the president of the Kona Board of Realtors and vice president of the state’s association. He’s served on the Kailua Village Design Commission and in various leadership roles with Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce. He was a coach and referee for West Hawaii Youth Soccer. He has served on UH-Hilo’s Advisory Board and helped lay the groundwork for Hawaii Community College-Palamanui.

This year’s Chamber Member of the Year is Pam Latinis. The Oahu native volunteers with the chamber in many capacities. Latinis is the chairwoman of the chamber’s golf tournament and a regular at monthly AfterHours events and is the South Kona Vice Chairwoman. She is broker-in-charge at the MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty Kailua-Kona office.

Info: 329-1758, www.kona-kohala.com.