The Maui News' "People Who Made A Difference" for 2012 is made up of a diverse group, both in terms of the people themselves and what they're being recognized for accomplishing.
For example, it took three years for the Rotary Club of Lahaina and the Maui Friends of the Library to raise $300,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to renovate the 57-year-old Lahaina Public Library.
Then, there's the Maui Economic Development Board, which is being honored in its 30th year of supporting the development of high-technology businesses and encouraging workforce development through its funding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Maui County middle and high schools.
Article Photos
Maui Ocean Safety Operations Supervisor Archie Kalepa, seen here at Kahului Harbor recently, was inducted into the Duke Kahanamoku Waterman Hall of Fame in October. He continues to develop watersports and life-saving techniques.
The Maui News / ROB COLLIAS photo
Wailuku resident Andrea Maniago turned the grieving of the loss of her 16-year-old son in a car crash into activism, talking to groups of high school students and others, in the hope of preventing more tragedies.
Then there's Maui ocean safety officer and waterman Archie Kalepa, who was inducted into the Duke Kahanamoku Waterman Hall of Fame this year, while continuing to work to save lives in waters off Maui and elsewhere.
And finally, there's Fred Ruge, an 82-year-old Wailuku resident and Korean War veteran, who has devoted much of his retirement time to helping fellow veterans in Maui County.
Their inspirational stories follow.
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2011: Keith Regan and Lynn Araki-Regan; Steve Colflesh, Albert Paschoal and Mike Kahale; volunteers with the Lanai Native Species Recovery Project; Brian Kohne; Janna Hoehn; Dr. Melvin Burton; Honokowai Kauhale residents
2010: Spencer Shiraishi, Kenji Kawaguchi, Garner Ivey and Warren Shimabukuro; Jon and Maile Viela; Joanne and Larry Laird; Keola Eharis Rogat and Richard "Noosh" Nishihara; Phoenix Dupree and 16 other Lanai residents
2009: Lance Collins and David Gierlach; Lehua Park Cosma; Pualani Enos; Dr. William Kepler; Phyllis McOmber; Brian Moto; Darrell Tanaka and Brian Yoshikawa
2008: John Cadman; Val Vines Magee; Maui Police Department juvenile investigators; Tim Ellison, Ben Tolentino and Polli's Mexican Restaurant; Kent Smith and Hilton Unemori; Joe Pluta and West Maui Improvement Foundation; Aloha House Crisis Mobile Outreach team; David "Buddy" Nobriga
2007: Dr. Lee Miyasato, Dr. Chris Neal and Dr. Ronald Boyd, Maui Memorial Medical Center stroke specialists; Ke'eaumoku and U'ilani Kapu; Randy Awo, Hokulani Holt; Save Honolua Coalition; Maui Long Term Care Partnership
2006: Lillian Murakami; Maui County firefighters; Jo-Ann Ridao; Bob and Lis Richardson; the Feline Foundation of Maui; Brian Yoshikawa; Dorvin and Betty Leis; DeGray Vanderbilt
2005: Dennis Ishii; Maui Police Department Lahaina Patrol Specialized Unit; Maui Fire Department; Kahekili Terrace Resident Patrol; Byron Ooka
2004: Maui Police Department Juvenile Section; Kula Community Association; Anna Palomino; police officer Joshua Haglan and Capt. Charles Hirata; Clifford Nae'ole; Community Prosecutor Jerrie Sheppard and the Kalama Park Action Team; Omaopio-Pulehu Neighbors; Lisa Texeira; Virginia Brown and the 411th Battalion Family Readiness Group
2003: Alex Baker; Dale Bonar and Maui Coastal Land Trust; Blossom Feiteira, Kehaulani Filimoe'atu and Hawaii Community Assets; Auriol and Ed Flavell; Jane Kaleikini; Nick Krau; Sam Millington; Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond and Maui Nui Botanical Gardens
2002: Jan Dapitan; Pat and Richard Endsley; Bernard "Lono" Kalawaia Kaina; Matthew Lopez; Maui County Charter Commission; Barry Shannnon and Kathy Collins; Maui Outdoor Circle
2001: David Garner; Vernon Gosney; Christina Hemming; Paul Kauhane Luuwai; Art Medeiros; Fred Rohlfing and Madge Schaefer; Rick Rutiz; South Maui Citizens patrol
2000: Willie Nelson; Frank Sinenci; Turtle Patrol volunteers; Maui Police Department Visitor Oriented Policing Unit; Lynn Araki; Chris Cowan and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center staff; Boyd Kleefisch; Judy and David Mikami
1999: Alliance for the Heritage of East Maui; Dana Naone Hall and Isaac Hall; Kalama Intermediate Student Council; Ryan Luskin; Ken Nakayama and the Molokai High School baseball team; Roy Tokujo and 'Ulalena; Mercer "Chubby" Vicens
1998: Akaku: Maui Community Television staff and producers; Kim Ball; Cynthia Conrad; Jerry Labb; Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K.; David Goode; Barbara Knoeppel; Diane Lee; Linda Lingle; Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr.
1997: Lt. Charles Hirata and DUI Task Force; Leonard "Bully" Kapahulehua; Brian McCafferty; Randy Morton; Wes Friewald; Cathrine Puahala; Barry Rivers
1996: Hannah Bernard; Holy Ghost Bread Ladies; Curt Hodge; Buck Joiner; Judges Boyd Mossman, E. John McConnnell and Shackley Raffetto; Sandra Shawhan
1995: Aimee Anderson; Alan Arakawa; Mike Boughton; Mary Evanson; Greg Davis; Yvonne Friel; Keali'i Reichel; Ernie Rezents; Susan Scofield
1994: Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli; Dr. Bobby Baker; Virgie Cantorna; Shay Chan; Walter Dodds Jr.; Everett Dowling; Kaui Doyle; Ian and Marc Hodges; Charles Jencks; Anthony Ranken; Dr. Rick Sands; Joseph Sugarman; Art Vento; Masaru "Pundy" Yokouchi.
