• U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo has received the Lokahi Award from the Hawai'i State Law Enforcement Officials Association. He has excelled in coordinating collaborative investigations and community outreach, and has provided valuable leadership and a multifaceted approach to crime fighting and taking down drug trafficking organizations.

Recognized as Officers of the Year were: Hawai'i County police officer Brian Prudencio, Honolulu police officer Gerald Scoville Jr., Kaua'i police officer Elliot Ke, Maui police officer Gregg Rowe, Drug Enforcement Agency special agent Stephen Borowski and U.S. Army police officer Spec. Giovanni Gonzalez.

• The Hawai'i Department of Agriculture recently presented a number of department employees with Incentive and Service Awards. They are: Employee of the Year, Dexter Cho, pest control technician, Plant Industry Division, instrumental in the identification of the biological control insect that has successfully controlled the glassy-winged sharpshooter; Manager of the Year, Carol Okada, manager, Plant Quarantine Branch, Plant Industry Division, who increased cooperation by state and federal inspection agencies.

Sustained Superior Performance Awards were presented to: Laura Ayers, livestock inspector, Animal Industry Division, known for her sensitivity in dealing with the animals and their owners; Barbara Schafer, clerk typist, Agricultural Development Division, known for her efficient and professional support of the division; Dean Yoshizu, environmental health specialist, Plant Industry Division, for his management of federal grants that allow the pesticides program to enforce federal requirements in the state.