2002 Distinguished Alumni
Dr. Martin B. Dickman
Professor
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Nebraska
B.S., UH Hilo, 1979
M.S., 1982, Ph.D., 1986, UH Manoa
Martin "Marty" Dickman, a graduate of both the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa has distinguished himself nationally and internationally as a leader in the field of molecular biology of plant-pathogen interactions. Martin is in demand as a speaker at scientific conferences and as a consultant to corporations developing molecular techniques to combat plant pathogens. His curriculum vita includes a long list of publications in national and international journals.
Martin's research was recognized at the University of Nebraska with the Junior Faculty Recognition for Excellence in Research Award in 1991. He was chairman and founder of the Genetic Base for Pathogenicity in the Genus Colletotrichum Regional Research Group from 1990-2001, and has been an editor and member of many scientific panels throughout his career.
Senior VP Wayne Miyao
Senior Vice President City Bank
Corporate Marketing Division
UH Hilo, 1966-68
UH Manoa, B.B.A., 1969
Wayne Miyao's journey to success started from the days when UH Hilo was known as "Hilo College," when only 2-year programs were offered. After Hilo College, Wayne completed his degree in Business Administration at UH Manoa.
Even though Wayne ventured on to establish his career in Honolulu, his heart never left Hilo, and he is a true and strong supporter of UH Hilo.
Wayne was inducted into the UHH Class of 2000 Athletic Hall of Fame. As a response, he raised $25,000 to endow an athletic scholarship fund that he established at UH Hilo in honor of his parents, Masaya and Miyoko Miyao, who had a hardware and gift store for years on Mamo Street in Hilo. His desire to give to the community reflects the values and examples set by his parents.
Notwithstanding a distinguished career at City Bank, where he started as a Management Trainee and 30 years later is the Senior Vice President for Corporate Marketing. Wayne's talents have earned him many awards. Among them are the Pele Award for Television three times in the past ten years, and the Pele Award of Merit for Print in 1996 and 2000.
As distinguished in the community as he is at City Bank, Wayne has received awards such as the "Outstanding Member of the Year" from the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and has held positions ranging from Director to Chairman and Commissioner for a host of organizations. Most notable among his achievements are fundraising dinners he has chaired to honor various community public servants such as U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye.
Dennis K. W. Lee
Dennis K. W. Lee attended UH Hilo from 1964-1967, when it was known as Hilo College, and later earned a BS in Civil Engineering from UH Manoa in 1970. The current Chief of Operations for the Department of Water Supply, he previously served as the Director of the Department of Public Works for the County of Hawai'i, where he administered the Engineering, Building, Highway Maintenance, Traffic Ser- vices and Automotive Fleet Management divisions. He also worked for the U.S. Army s Directorate of Public Works from 1986 1990.
Lee s professional awards and honors include federal recognition for his 1986 Pohakuloa Training Area Plan and 1989 Update, the Army s Sustained Superior Performance Award, National Association of Counties award for Solid Waste Management Plan, County of Hawai'i Supervisor of the Year, and "2002 Engineer of the Year" from the Hawai`i Society of Professional Engineers Big Island Chapter.
His commitment to public service dates back to his involvement with the Lehua Jaycees, where he chaired and participated in various community projects involving senior citizens, retarded children, 4th of July events and scholarship pageants.
Lee is a member of several community and professional organizations, including the Hawai'i Society of Professional Engineers, UH Hilo Association of Alumni and Friends, the UH Manoa School of Engineering alumni, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, the Hawai'i Bowling Club, the Hawai'i and American Water Works Association, and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.
An avid sportsman, Lee is a past member and Board Director of the UH Hilo Vulcan Athletic Boosters and spent four years as an instructor at the annual Vulcan Hawai'i Basketball School. He was a charter and founding member of the Andrews Athletic Association, where he coached basketball, little league, t-ball, midget major and pony league teams. Lee has also been active in the Waiakea High School Booster Club, Hilo Junior Bowlers Association, Waiakea Nakoas Pop Warner Football, Hawai'i Government Employees (HGEA) Basketball League, and the Hawaiian Sea Rovers.
Maile Andrade
B.A., UH Hilo, 1989
M.A. M.F.A., University of Hawai'i-Manoa
Assistant Professor, Art Department, University of Hawai'i-Manoa
Maile Andrade graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo in 1989 with a B.A. in Art and Hawaiian Studies.
During her student years in Hilo, Maile served as President of the Student Art Association and worked with the Hawaiian Immersion Program and presented work in the Annual Student Art Exhibition in the Campus Center. Her work in ceramics received the Chancellor's Purchase Award during her senior year. She was an exemplary student at UH Hilo.
Following that, she entered graduate studies at Manoa and completed degrees in Art (MFA) and in Hawaiian Studies. She has exhibited her work in international and national exhibitions and is included in major art collections.
Maile has been a lecturer and consultant for a variety of community and cultural associations. She participated and conducted workshops for the recent World Indigenous Peoples Conference in Hilo in 1999.
She has been on the faculty at UH Manoa as a lecturer for at least five years before she received her position as Assistant Professor of Art.
Toshimasa "Thomas" and Harumi "Doris" Takahashi
Toshimasa and Harumi Takahashi have been extending aloha to international students at UH Hilo for about ten years. The Takahashis, who live near the University, help the students by repairing their cars and having an open-door policy. Their hospitality includes sharing local-style meals and on occasion, providing a place to sleep. Their motivation is simple: "If my children were in a foreign country and they needed help, I hope somebody would help them. That's why I do whatever I can to help the foreign students at UH Hilo when they ask for my help," said Toshimasa.
Their hospitality, generosity, and acts of kindness are well-known on campus. Many students after graduation visit the Takahashis year after year. Thomas and Doris are invited to weddings, showers, and parties by the students. They meet the student's parents and they receive all sorts of cards.
The Takahashis, who were married in 1946, have five children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
They cannot recall the number of students and friends they have helped or have welcomed into their home. "Maybe hundreds, maybe more. We never counted," said Doris.
Many people are motivated to do something for another person for economic and financial gain. Others like the Takahashis live their lives helping others whenever they can with purity of heart, which is refreshing and inspiring in today's world. They are indeed Good Samaritans.