{"id":237456,"date":"2026-07-16T12:18:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T22:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=237456"},"modified":"2026-07-16T12:34:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T22:34:39","slug":"2026-governors-awards-nominees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/16\/2026-governors-awards-nominees\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> nominees for 2026 governor\u2019s awards honored"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office with President Hensel and regents<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Darsh Davé, Darren Lerner and the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office<\/a> have been selected as the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>‘s nominees for the Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service. The award honors the state’s executive branch employees and managers who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication to serving the people of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>. UH<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel made the announcement during the UH<\/abbr> Board of Regents<\/a> (BOR<\/abbr>) meeting on July 16 at UH<\/abbr> Mānoa<\/span>.<\/p>\n

“We never give enough appreciation for the hardworking faculty and staff around the university, and so it really is a pleasure for me to identify a few employees and a few groups whose dedication and achievements have earned well deserved recognition,” Hensel said at the BOR<\/abbr> meeting.<\/p>\n

Employee of the Year: Darsh Davé<\/h2>\n
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Darsh Davé with President Hensel and regents<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Darsh Davé, human resources manager at Kapiʻolani<\/span> Community College<\/a>, was named UH<\/abbr>‘s 2026 Employee of the Year. He was recognized as a trusted resource who helps the campus navigate complex personnel matters while supporting effective operations. Davé has improved service delivery by addressing long-standing process challenges, streamlining faculty payment workflows and strengthening coordination across departments.<\/p>\n

He was also recognized for his leadership during a high-risk campus incident, helping de-escalate the situation so a major campus event could continue safely. Through mentoring colleagues, supporting workforce initiatives and promoting professional development, Davé has made lasting contributions to the college community.<\/p>\n

Manager of the Year: Darren Lerner<\/h2>\n
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Darren Lerner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Darren Lerner, director of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant<\/a>, consortium director of the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center<\/a> and interim associate dean for research in UH<\/abbr> Mānoa<\/span>‘s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology<\/a>, was named the university’s 2026 Manager of the Year. He was recognized for transformational leadership that has strengthened Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant and expanded its impact across the university and the state.<\/p>\n

Lerner has overseen more than $100 million in extramurally funded projects focused on improving the resilience of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>‘s and the Pacific’s coastal ecosystems and communities. His leadership through periods of uncertainty has allowed the program to continue growing while supporting research, education and community partnerships that address critical environmental challenges.<\/p>\n

Team of the Year: Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office<\/h2>\n

The Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office Team was recognized as UH<\/abbr>‘s 2026 Team of the Year. The team was honored for advancing the university’s goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning through strategic planning and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation framework. By building strong relationships across campuses and breaking down institutional silos, the team has helped strengthen Indigenous-centered practices throughout the university.<\/p>\n

Its efforts have contributed to major accomplishments, including securing a $68.5-million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration award and advancing the “Aloha Begins with Us” movement, helping foster a more connected, resilient and culturally grounded university community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Darsh Davé, Darren Lerner and the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Papa o ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office have been selected as UH<\/abbr>‘s nominees for the Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":237448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[72,598,63,1465,911,698,438,947],"class_list":["post-237456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-board-of-regents","tag-faculty-recognition","tag-kapiolani-community-college","tag-manoa-native-hawaiian-place-of-learning","tag-program-recognition","tag-staff-recognition","tag-uh-sea-grant","tag-uh-system","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t