Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAWAI’I FRIENDS OF CIVIL RIGHTS
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FRIENDS AWARDS
On January 24, 2010, the Hawai’i Friends of Civil Rights organization, spearheaded by Faye Kennedy and Amy Agbayani, Ph.D., Co-Chairs, held its 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Friends Awards in honor of the following individuals and organizations for promoting civil rights, diversity and justice:
The two individual honorees are long-time civil rights advocates: Kim Coco Iwamoto, Esq., member of the Hawaii Board of Education representing the island of Oahu, and retired University of Hawaii professor Miles M. Jackson, Guest Editor of “They Followed the Trade Winds, African Americans in Hawai’i, Social Process in Hawai’i, Volume 43,” University of Hawaii Press 2004.
The two organizations honored were the Japanese American Citizens League of Hawai’i and UNITE HERE Local 5. The mission of the Japanese American Citizens League of Hawai’i is to protect the civil rights of Japanese-Americans and all victims of injustice and discrimination. UNITE HERE Local 5 helped raise the standards of wages and benefits for Hawai’i’s employees within the tourism industry.
Emme Tomimbang served as emcee. HFCR's support for HB 444 granting equal benefits to same gender couples and its advocacy for all marginalized groups were recurring themes as the prominent, overflow guests enjoyed the evening.
Kaneohe resident Amber Aduja, National American Miss Jr. Pre-Teen Queen 2010 and Makakilo/Kapolei resident Jadyn Wilderman, Hawaii’s Miss Grand Queen 2010, graced the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Friends Awards ceremony as volunteer hostesses for this event. The following pictures depict the young hostesses welcoming the many honored guests at the Hawai’i Friends of Civil Rights event:
L-R: Jadyn Wilderman; Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, 21st Senatorial District, and congressional candidate for U.S. District I; and Amber Aduja.
L-R: Jadyn Wilderman; Senate President Colleen Hanabusa; Windward Representative Chris Lee, 51st Representative District; and Amber Aduja.
L-R: Kaneohe Residents William Aduja and former state senator Melodie Aduja; Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Steven H. Levinson (Retired); and Amber Aduja.
L-R: Kaneohe Residents William Aduja and former state senator Melodie Aduja; Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Steven H. Levinson (Retired); and Amber Aduja.
L-R: Amber Aduja and Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu, 41st Representative District and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii 2010.
L-R: Jadyn Wilderman; Coralie Chun Matayoshi, Esq.,American Red Cross Chief Executive Officer, Hawaii State Chapter; and Amber Aduja. Coralie Chun Matayoshi collected donations on behalf of the American Red Cross for the Haitian Relief Fund.
L-R: Jadyn Wilderman; Senate Majority Leader Gary L. Hooser, 7th Senatorial District (Kauai, Lanai), and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii 2010; and Amber Aduja.
L-R: Jadyn Wilderman; Senate Majority Leader Gary L. Hooser, 7th Senatorial District (Kauai, Lanai), and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii 2010; and Amber Aduja.
L-R: Representative Lyla B. Berg, 18th Representative District and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii 2010; Amber Aduja, and Jackie Young, American Cancer Society Chief of Staff and former Hawaii state House of Representatives vice-speaker.
L-R: Jadyn Wilderman; Representative Lyla B. Berg; Amber Aduja; and Jackie Young.
L-R: Amber Aduja and Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, City and County of Honolulu, District 4 and Hawaii state senator 1981-1994.
L-R: Jadyn Wilderman; Kim Coco Iwamoto, Esq, Member of the Hawaii Board of Education representing the island of Oahu; and Amber Aduja.
