By The Maui News

WAILUKU — Gov. Josh Green, on Tuesday recognized winners of the Governor’s Awards with three awards given to 56 total nominees. The awards are designed to honor state Executive Branch employees, managers and work teams who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication in serving the people of Hawai’i.

Governor Green honored Maui provider Heidi Taogoshi as the state employee of the year. Green also honored the University of Hawaii Maui College Culinary Arts Team as the State Team of the Year.

“Public employees have made important contributions to our continuing efforts to improve the efficiency and quality of government services,” said Governor Green. “We are honored to work with such dedicated individuals and appreciate all they do each and every day.”

The statewide program is administered and managed by the Department of Human Resources Development.

Governor Green presented the three Governor awards for:

STATE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: Heidi Taogoshi, Registered Nurse, Department of Health.

In the aftermath of the Maui Wildfires, Heidi quickly assessed the needs of the Lahaina community resulting in the deployment of mobile medical teams and the conversion of an abandoned state building into a health care clinic to provide essential services to those affected by the wildfires. With her guidance, management of the clinic was transferred to community providers, ensuring continued services to the people of Lahaina.

STATE TEAM OF THE YEAR: UH Maui College Culinary Arts Team, University of Hawai’i.

When the UH Maui College Pa’ina Building was transformed into a fire relief food hub after the wildfires, the Culinary Arts team worked with organizations to prepare meals for residents displaced by the fire. The team also created a Disaster Relief Food Preparation Experience course, designed for students to work with industry chefs and instructors to learn about disaster relief food preparation and distribution.

STATE MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Joanna Seto, Administrator, Department of Health

Faced with extraordinary responsibilities, including the Red Hill Fuel crisis, Joanna’s skills and successes have never been more apparent than after the Maui wildfires. She actively led her team through the response and recovery phases and continues to help hone their skills to assist the community in rehabilitating the environment. Leading by example, her team is committed to its mission – to protect human health and the environment.

The three winners were selected from 56 exceptional groups and individual nominees. A volunteer Selection Committee of four prominent members of the community carefully reviewed the 56 nomination packets and rated them according to defined categories. The committee presented its recommendations for the three awards to Governor Green.

The four members of this year’s Selection Committee were Hawai’i Public Radio host and news team member Catherine Cruz; City and County of Honolulu Homeless Coordinator Sam Moku; Hawai’i Convention Center/ASM Global General Manager Teri Orton, and Office of the Governor Chief of Staff Brooke Wilson.

At this year’s ceremony, Governor Green also recognized the recipients of the 2020 Governor’s Awards for Employee, Manager and Team of the Year for their outstanding achievements due to the cancellation of the May 2020 ceremony during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These individuals have selflessly given of themselves to enrich the lives of those they serve,” said Governor Green. “Their accomplishments perpetuate the aloha spirit and make our state a special place to live and work.”