The American Red Cross is celebrating and honoring "Red Cross Heroes" who exemplify the spirit of humanitarianism in line with the Red Cross mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering by coming to the aid of disaster victims, helping to save lives, and assisting military service members and their families.

According to a news release, the Hawai'i Red Cross will hold a Heroes breakfast Sept. 27 at the Waikiki Marriott Beach Resort & Spa to honor the following individuals for their heroic deeds:

• Benny Abrigado — Lifesaver Hero. Was able to save the life of a co-worker who was not breathing by administering CPR skills, which he had learned in training.

• Hospital Corpsman Second Class Otto Giron — Military Hero. Due to unexpected injury to an officer in charge, while in Iraq Corpsman Giron took on additional duties in a challenging situation, which included medical screening of detainees and identifying and implementing preventative measures to manage infectious detainees; in one instance his expeditious medical assessment contributed to the successful diagnosis and treatment of a detainee's Grand Mal seizure resulting in a prompt treatment.

• Bouvey Bradbury — In The Line of Duty Hero. Even while off-duty, this lifeguard stepped up to the challenge and saved the life of a man trapped underwater in a cave at Yokohama Bay.

• Morganna Hayes — Youth Hero. Mid-Pacific Institute Senior organized and took a leadership position in the Red Cross Club at that school. She was able to utilize the skills learned at a Red Cross training to help save a life at Sunset Beach.

• Therapy Dog Kula Haimoto and handler, Rinsei Haimoto — Animal Hero. Member of the Red Cross Human Animal Bond program at Tripler Army Medical Center; has volunteered more than 500 hours visiting patients, family members and staff.

• Roger Compton — O'ahu Red Cross Volunteer of the Year (awarded posthumously). An active volunteer and Disaster Action Team captain, Roger responded to a number of disasters in Hawa'ii and nationally during his years of service.

• Larry Leedom — West Hawai'i Red Cross Volunteer of the Year. Volunteer and instructor who helps to coordinate the annual free CPR Saturday and Sunday events in West Hawai'i on the Big Island.

• Verna Dias — East Hawai'i Red Cross Volunteer of the Year. Volunteer disaster responder who has assisted several times on disaster relief efforts both locally and nationally.

• Jordan Nagasako — Maui County Red Cross Volunteer of the Year. Disaster volunteer who maintains the Emergency Response Vehicle, conducts client casework, sets up emergency shelters, consoles disaster victims, and also serves as an instructor.

• Robert Anderson — Kaua'i County Red Cross Volunteer of the Year. Helped strengthen relationships with other nonprofit organizations and government agencies helping to improve disaster communication; assisted with disaster exercises throughout the island.

Central Pacific Bank is the title sponsor of this event. The Gold level sponsors include HMAA, KGMB9, Sprint Hawaii, and Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Other sponsors are KHM LLP, Carlsmith Ball, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, The MacNaughton Group, Pioneer Ace Hardware, Citizens for Fire Safety Institute.

"It is truly an honor to recognize these special individuals who have shown courage, leadership, caring and a commitment to the community," said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, chief executive officer for the Hawai'i Red Cross.

"They have accomplished great deeds with no expectation of reward or recognition. They have given of themselves to help make Hawai'i a better place," Matayoshi said in the news release.

Across the nation, more than one million Red Cross volunteers respond to 70,000 disasters (one every 8 minutes) every year. In Hawai'i, of Red Cross volunteers come to the aid of disaster victims every three days, teach 33,000 people how to save lives, and help 9,000 service members communicate with their families in times of crisis. Red Cross Heroes show courage, kindness, and unselfish character, and are the heart and soul of the Hawai'i Red Cross. Every day, they put their own needs aside to help others, save lives, and enable the Red Cross to serve the people of Hawai'i 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information, please call 739-8130 or visit the Red Cross Web site at www.hawaiiredcross.org.