University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel updated the UH Board of Regents (BOR) about major changes in federal funding and increased student enrollment across the 10-campus system at the September 18 meeting at UH ����ԴDz�.

Hensel also provided an update on an expanded partnership between Hawaiian Airlines and Honolulu Community College to train aviation maintenance technicians. She also congratulated UH ����ԴDz�’s �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ���Գܾ����� School of Hawaiian Knowledge and its role in hosting a series of events for Hawaiian History Month throughout Kepakemapa (September).

• U.S. Department of Education announcement ()
• Fall 2025 enrollment update ()
• UH News highlights ()
• UH President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance awardee Ivan Hartison ()
• UH nominees for governor’s awards ()

The University of �鶹��ý named Ivan Hartison as the 2025 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance.

Hartison was honored for his vital work at the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building at UH ����ԴDz�. He plays an important role in high-level research spaces, including BSL-2 labs and endangered species insectaries, where he helps ensure safety, sanitation and the protection of �鶹��ý’s natural resources.

Beyond his daily duties, Hartison is known for going above and beyond, whether helping students recover endangered Hawaiian flies, lending a hand with heavy lifting or stepping in to support colleagues.

Through his commitment to his job at UH Mānoa, Hartison earned the respect from both peers and students, embodying the spirit of teamwork and service at the University of �鶹��ý.

Established in 1986, the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance recognizes a UH system employee who exemplifies dedication and excellence in supporting campus facilities.

President David Lassner shared recent studies and data points that highlighted the value and affordability of the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10-campuses in his Presidentʻs Report to the Board of Regents (BOR) at the February 16 BOR monthly meeting at UH Hilo. Lassner cited a January UHERO report on the significant return on investment for a UH degree and how UH tuition has actually decreased over the last decade when adjusted for inflation. He also cited a recent national report that found that UH is among the nation’s best community college transfer students who go on to earn their bachelor’s degree.

Lassner also recognized UH Hilo’s Shannon Asejo, the winner of the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance.

• UH value and affordability ()
• UHERO report: Degree return on investment ()
• Pell Grant wage advantage ()
• Successful UH transfer students ()
• UHERO report: Tuition declined over last decade ()
• UH’s strong financial position ()
• National leader in low administrative cost ()
• Low student debt ()
• High return on investment to taxpayers ()
• Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance Award: Congratulations Shannon Asejo! ()

See previous president’s reports to the Board of Regents.

University of �鶹��ý at Hilo electrician Shannon Asejo was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance at the February 16 Board of Regents meeting in Hilo, �鶹��ý. The award is given to an employee from one of UH’s 10 campuses who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Asejo has been with UH Hilo since 2017, and is the sole electrician for the entire campus. Beyond his daily electrician duties, which he performs thoughtfully and efficiently, Asejo assists co-workers with building maintenance and has also become the “go-to” person for support for student-focused projects. He received a standing ovation when he was presented the award and credits his mom for his work ethic.

“She said, you want to work hard, you got to make a difference,” said Asejo shortly after receiving the award. “I love what I do, I love my job, everyone around the university here, they give me love, they send it back, I want to help people I love so I do it for them, too. I do everything I do to help the university and I couldnʻt do it without my crew.”

Asejo’s nominators commend his stellar work ethic and its positive impact on the campus.

One nominator stated, “The sheer volume of electrical work order requests completed within the day would lead one to believe that UH Hilo has several electricians; however, Shannon singlehandedly oversees and completes all electrical requirements for the entire campus, then assists other trades to clear building maintenance backlog.”

His many contributions to campus improvements include:

• An open-air cafe with outdoor seating and accessible outlets
• PV panels, timers and controls for solar powered charging stations in high demand locations
• Assembly and installation of food pantry shelving, as well as keeping the pantry stocked
• Signage, LED tube covers and electrical requirements for a new eSport Lounge
• Refinishing the Library Lanai outdoor furniture

Asejo impresses, not only with his high standards of workmanship, but also with his commitment to cost-saving measures.

Another nominator stated, “Shannon is a clear standout because of his deep rooted spirit of goodwill, coupled with his positive ‘can-do’ work ethic and creative solutions. His willingness to take on challenging projects, and put forth whatever effort is necessary to achieve positive results in a cost-effective manner is a tremendous asset to UH Hilo.”

Read more about previous winners of the Excellence in Buildings & Grounds Maintenance award.

University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner announced that UH received a record $505 million in extramural funds for fiscal year 2022 in his monthly report today, July 21, at the Board of Regents meeting at UH ����ԴDz�.

Lassner also provided an update on COVID-19 and possible impacts to UH campuses this fall along with progress reports on the �鶹��ýning Initiative and the tenure working group.

He ended by recognizing UH‘s Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners and the winners of the Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service and President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance.

• COVID-19 update ()
• Strategic initiative survey ()
• Tenure task force update (classification project) ()
• Enrollment update ()
• Record extramural funding ()
• Maunakea update ()
• Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners ()
• Martin Ramos: President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance ()
• Lee Buenconsejo-Lum: Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service ()
• Previous awardees: Gerald Kato, Marc McClintock, Kim Nishimura ()

See previous president’s reports to the Board of Regents.

Martin Ramos, a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa groundskeeper, has been awarded the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings & Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an employee from one of UH’s 10 campuses who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Ramos has been an essential member of the UH Mānoa grounds team for more than 19 years. A dedicated employee with a strong work ethic, he takes pride in his work and goes above and beyond expectations.

Ramos provides landscaping services for areas which are known to be the most “intricate and difficult” areas to maintain on campus: �鶹��ý Hall, the Sustainability Courtyard, Hamilton Library, and recently, the new Life Sciences Building.

Here’s what his fans have to say:

• Some of his assigned areas have had major issues before Martin took over, which were transformed into the most beautiful areas on campus. His work at the planter bed at Hamilton Library has transformed a weed infested area into a well-manicured native bed.
• His expertise in landscaping has helped the landscape management team in training new staff, some of whom have also won this award by using his techniques of planter bed maintenance.
• Martin covers double the standard area with great success. He manages the detailed native garden at the Life Sciences Building which was previously installed by three contractors. He has been doing an incredible job while still maintaining his other areas.
• Martin maintains the grounds at one of the university’s most iconic buildings, �鶹��ý Hall. Flanked by massive palms, large pillars and luscious grounds, Ramos is tedious in the removal of all weeds and debris, and ensures each planter bed and tree well is pristine.
• Ramos’ meticulousness to the grounds ensures that faculty, staff, students and visitors have a memorable campus experience.

Read more about previous winners of the Excellence in Buildings & Grounds Maintenance award.

custodian Jon Takeuchi has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an employee from one of ����’s 10 campuses who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Takeuchi’s professional attitude is at the heart of this award. Reliable, dedicated and hardworking, he takes his responsibilities for Moore Hall seriously and is always eager to go beyond what is required of him. He is hardworking, and he brings joy to those around him.

Here’s what his fans have to say:

• Jon Takeuchi stands head and shoulders above them all. He is efficient, industrious, effective, extremely friendly and positive, inventive, dependable, prompt and thorough.
• He seems to know exactly how each faculty member likes to have their offices treated, and he cares for those offices in an efficient and timely manner. This dedication not only helps to improve the appearance of the campus, it also promotes efficient work and removes redundancy.
• All of us are unanimous in our support for Jon and the recognition of the stellar work that he does, day in and day out.
• His pride in his work is evident in everything he does. And I have never found him without a nice word to say or a fun story to tell.

His nominators said that what they feel is most noteworthy about Takeuchi is his exceptionally positive attitude.

“He greets everyone with a genuine smile, and, day in and day out, he shows nothing but kindness and respect to everyone. The students, faculty and staff all adore him,” said a nominator.

custodian Kim Nishimura has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an individual who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Nishimura’s hard-working professional attitude represents the core of this award. The faculty, staff and students in the Keller Hall and Physical Science Building (PSB) offices praise her dedication, positive attitude and consistent drive to go above and beyond her assigned duties. Known as “Aunty Kim” and “Miss Aloha,” Nishimura is an undeniable asset to the UH Mānoa campus.

Here’s what her fans have to say:

• From the beginning, Kim’s work ethic, dedication and pride in a job well done were apparent. There was a dramatic transformation, from classrooms, offices and bathrooms that had for years received minimal attention, to facilities where even the door knobs are regularly polished.
• Kim has an open heart and an enthusiasm to help the people working and studying in Keller Hall which propels the level of care that she has for this building. Her love of the job shows in everything she does.
• Whether they need something cleaned or simply need directions, Kim goes about her job with a smile and good humor. I have known Kim to give food to our graduate students because she worries about them.
• Kim has become an indispensable fixture in our department. She shows aloha to everyone who passes Keller and PSB both in her personal interactions and by keeping these buildings at a peak level of cleanliness.

Several aspects of Nishimura’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic deserve special mention beyond her dedicated disinfecting of high-touch surfaces. Light classroom and office use has resulted in birds occupying window ledges. Nishimura maintains sanitary conditions and prevents corrosion by regularly removing nests and cleaning droppings. Also, with staff working from home, students looking for assistance often find department offices closed and Nishimura cheerfully helps them with directions, contact information and anything else she can.

Nishimura has an open heart and an enthusiasm to help the people working and studying in Keller Hall and PSB. Her love of the job shows in everything she does.

custodian Marc McClintock has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an individual who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

McClintock is known for going above and beyond his janitorial duties at the Campus Center Complex, from ensuring buildings all had proper air conditioning, to leading repair projects for the Meetings and Events office and Warrior Recreation Center.

Here’s what his fans have to say:

• “He truly is a ‘one-stop-shop,’ because he can be counted on to be assigned a project, determine the solution, research the best value parts and order them and efficiently complete the project.”
• “Marc has become the glue that keeps all the buildings going as he dependably dedicates his skills towards keeping our facilities running and looking good.”
• “He is someone who truly cares about what he does, and he shows it through the quality of his work and wonderful attitude.”

McClintock demonstrates high standards and expectations of himself, serving as a shining example for his team. He is dedicated to the Campus Center and the students they serve.

The University of �鶹��ý President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance is a systemwide award which recognizes the dedicated efforts of an individual from any facilities management office who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial, shop or trucking position.

To submit nominations for this year’s award, (PDF).

• Learn more about the this year’s winner UH Manoa’s Xiao Cheng

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, September 9, 2019 by 4:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact the Office of the President at president@hawaii.edu.

Xiao Cheng, a working janitor supervisor for the BioMed C-MORE buildings, has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an individual who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Although she has only been at BioMed for a short time, Cheng has made a huge impression among the faculty and staff there. They said that two things are clear about Cheng—she takes tremendous pride in taking care of her building and she is always smiling and laughing.

Here’s what they have to say:

• “In reality, we seldom need to tell her about facilities issues because she always takes care of things before they become problems.“
• “She is always working—always moving, doing one thing or another, putting the rest of us to shame.“
• “She has cleaned things I never thought cleanable.“

Cheng is an effective leader who works hard alongside her team and inspires them to work just as hard as she does.

The University of �鶹��ý President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance is a systemwide award that recognizes the dedicated efforts of an individual from any facilities management office who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial, shop or trucking position.

To submit nominations for this year’s award, fill out the eligibility, criteria and nomination form.

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, September 17, 2018 by 4:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Courtney Domingo at the Office of the President at (808) 956-8207 or by email.

President made his report to the at their meeting on July 19, 2018.

Highlights include:

• Congratulations to new Board of Regents’ leadership ()
• National Cancer Institute designation celebration ()
• Full-tuition scholarships for 23 incoming medical students ()
• Search continues for UH Foundation president and CEO ()
• Research $$$ up! ()
• Establishing a Hawaiian watershed as a microbiome observatory ()
• Important research on rat lungworm disease ()
• UH-led commission issues sea-level and climate-change guidance ()
• ATLAS telescopes pinpoints asteroid impact ()
• UH continues to help with eruption response ()
• Maunakea administrative rules moving forward ()
• Congratulations and mahalo, Jenny Son! ()

View previous reports to the board.

janitor Jenny Son has been honored with the UH President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an individual who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

According to many glowing accolades, Son, who works in the Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services (QLC) building, always goes above and beyond her required job responsibilities. She is committed to keeping a safe and spotless working environment for those in her offices.

Here’s what her fans have to say:

• “No office corner or door knob or air conditioning vent is safe from her. Ant infestations or mold outbreaks—no problem.”
• “This woman does not give up!”
• “I never met a custodian so dedicated, so passionate and so meticulous as Jenny.”

Son demonstrates aloha in all that she does and is always willing to lend a hand to her co-workers in other departments. Her cheerful disposition, bright smile and attention to detail make her a truly valued team player on the QLC fourth floor.

The University of �鶹��ý President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance is a systemwide award that recognizes the dedicated efforts of an individual from any facilities management office who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial, shop or trucking position.

To submit nominations for this year’s award, download the eligibility, criteria and nomination form from the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance website. Information about past award recipients can also be found on the site.

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, August 14, 2017 by 4:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Courtney Domingo at the at (808) 956-8207 or by email.

Kapiʻolani Community College’s David Apostol was honored with the University of �鶹��ý’s President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an individual who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Apostol goes above and beyond his required job responsibilities, working tirelessly to ensure a beautiful campus, often working on weekends so as not to inconvenience the campus and its students.

He is described as being a humble man, a committed team player who cares deeply about his colleagues and a consummate professional with a positive can-do attitude.

Apostol is praised for his initiative in taking the lead on campus projects and promoting a proud sense of community among all.

President Lassner awards the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance

Neal Nagao was honored with the University of �鶹��ý President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Ground Maintenance.

The award is given to an individuals who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Nagao, a building maintenance supervisor, has worked at UH Hilo for more than 27 years. He began as UH Hilo’s only electrician and was later promoted to the campus’ only maintenance supervisor.

His peers and supervisors describe Nagao as having a positive attitude and excellent customer service skills.

UH President and Board of Regent Chair presented Nagao with his award during the meeting at UH Hilo on February 25.

“Neal Nagao has been praised for keeping UH Hilo one of the best maintained campuses while working with limited resources. He has also mentored a great team here,” said Lassner. “Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to the University of �鶹��ý.”

Leeward Community College’s Joseph Tan and University of �鶹��ý–West Oʻahu’s Erline Vasconcellos were honored with the University of �鶹��ý President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Ground Maintenance.

The award is given to an individuals who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Joseph Tan

Joseph Tan is a custodian at Leeward Community College.

Tan is called the “energizer bunny” and the “Leeward McGyver” for his never-ending dedication to his work and his innovative solutions to campus custodial problems.

His colleagues praise his efforts to go above and beyond his job duties with a positive attitude.

Erline Vasconcellos

Erline Vasconcellos is the building and grounds supervisor at UH West Oʻahu.

Vasconcellos is a dedicated worker who can sometimes be found on weekends working in the parking lots when there are fewer cars in the way.

She is praised for her diligence, resourcefulness and commitment to making West Oʻahu a safe, beautiful and well-maintained campus.

Facilities Manager James “Kimo” Yamaguchi has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the . This award honors a UH employee who exhibits dedication and sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial, shop or trucking position.

Yamaguchi played a central role in planning and preparing the UH West Oʻahu campus for its transition from Pearl City to Kapolei. He met frequently with architects to discuss specific details of each building and he oversaw the installation of fixtures, equipment and furniture at the brand new campus. Yamaguchi also worked closely with the interim library director to set up the UH West Oʻahu library building, and with very little staff.

Yamaguchi is commended for juggling a variety of duties and big projects and working long hours and on weekends. He is always focused, professional and determined and keeps his sense of humor in tact.

Now that UH West Oʻahu is open and running smoothly, Yamaguchi has turned to maintenance and landscaping the new campus. His colleagues say his hard work, leadership and compassion for UH West Oʻahu have resulted in a truly beautiful campus that inspires creativity, reflection, peace and a commitment to learning.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance will be presented to Yamaguchi at the monthly meeting of the Board of Regents on February 20, 2014 at .