Gov. Linda Lingle today recognized three recipients of the Governor's Innovation Awards for their efforts to improve Hawai'i and help the state meet the challenges of this century.

This month's recipients are:

Innovation by an individual: Erwin Hudelist

Hudelist, president of Hagedone Printing, has implemented innovative solutions to make Hawai'i's largest printing company more environmentally friendly and Hawai'i a cleaner, greener state, according to a news release issued by the governor's office.

The company Hudelist joined in 1998 was once cited as a heavy industrial polluter. Under his leadership, the company adopted new printing processes and technologies to reduce the emissions from evaporated inks and solvents. To reduce the amount of paper waste, Hudelist implemented a paper recycling effort that has recycled more than 3,000 metric tons of paper waste that otherwise would have ended up in landfills. The earnings from the paper recycling are used to purchase more recycled paper for other print orders.

Hudelist also implemented the PaperBack Program six months ago that allows the customer or end user to return used paper for recycling and reuse. Printers and other companies on the mainland that are now implementing similar programs have sought permission to use the PaperBack name, which Hudelist coined. In addition, he developed the MailBack Program which allows mail recipients to return mail once a month to the source to have it shredded and recycled for free.

Innovation by an organization: Wai'anae Community Re-Development Corporation

The Wai'anae Community Re-Development Corporation has developed innovative programs to improve the lives of young people from O'ahu's Leeward Coast and mobilize them to become leaders and "agents of change" in their community, according to the news release.

The programs merge education, economic development and Hawaiian cultural elements to help young people overcome a myriad of obstacles, including teen pregnancy, school drop out, alcohol and drug use, homelessness and arrests.

The core of the program involves Ma'o Organic Farms, which teaches youth organic farming, while fostering youth leadership. It teaches the importance of organic agriculture and developing sustainable community food systems, and provides hands-on training that balances the study of contemporary agricultural science with native Hawaiian knowledge and traditions, the release noted. The farm will be a local supplier of Whole Foods.

Innovation in government: West Hawai'i Explorations Academy Public Charter School

As a public charter school, West Hawai'i Explorations Academy (WHEA) has developed innovative teaching methods that focus on outdoor environmental science learning that will instill a lifetime of innovative thinking in their students, the release said. The school has developed a wide array of research-based practices that allow its students to interact and learn in the community via long-term projects, instead of primarily in a traditional classroom.

At any given time, there may be up to 40 student-directed projects operating both on and off campus, including a live shark and ray exhibit, seahorse and clownfish propagation, octopus intelligence, solar car development, sustainable agriculture, watershed restoration and preservation of endangered old-growth dry forest trees.

WHEA also serves as consultant for other Hawai'i schools, planning large-scale projects and innovative curriculum changes. Its integrative methodology can be modified for use in other subjects and learning environments, including health academies, visual and performing arts, technology academies, vocational education and school-to-work initiatives.

The Innovation Awards nominees were evaluated by a 15-member selection panel comprised of industry, education and government representatives statewide. Nominations were judged on creativity; effectiveness in achieving a goal or purpose; transferability and adoptability by others; and significance in addressing an important local or global issue, problem or opportunity. The selection committee provided final recommended nominations to Lingle for her selection.

Lingle initiated the award to acknowledge and encourage innovation across all sectors statewide.

The awards, which are presented monthly, recognize individuals, companies, nonprofits, organizations and government agencies that are developing innovative products, services and processes.

For additional information about the awards or to submit a nomination, visit www.hawaii.gov/gov/innovation-award.