North Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year
This award goes to a person who has made a lasting, significant contribution to our North Shore community,
Kim JohnsonNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2024
Kim Johnson's visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the Kōkua Foundation and the Johnson Family Foundation have touched the lives of thousands of Hawai‘i’s schoolchildren, instilling the values of growing food and living sustainably. Her commitment to environmental education has extended far beyond our islands, impacting millions of people worldwide and inspiring a new generation to care for our planet.
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Denise AntoliniNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2023
Denise Antolini has made meaningful direct and systemic impacts on ʻāina stewardship in Hawaiʻi by cultivating law students for decades in environment-focused studies, building partnerships among key public and private entities, leading research and publications, working on landmark legal cases, and founding and serving on important community and government boards.
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Bill MartinNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2022
Bill Martin has dedicated decades to serving the North Shore community. A long-time Chamber board member, he played a key role in securing and maintaining ADA beach access mats at beaches like Ehukai, helping ensure shoreline access for individuals with mobility challenges. His work with AccesSurf Hawaiʻi further reflects his deep commitment to inclusion, making the North Shore more accessible and welcoming for all.
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Antya MillerNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2019
Antya Miller, has been a driving force in preserving the region’s history and strengthening its community. As the Chamber’s longtime Executive Director, she helped transform the historic Mutual Telephone Company Building into a visitor center and hub for local engagement. A passionate advocate for preservation, she led efforts like the Haleʻiwa Historic Walking Tour and the restoration of Weed Circle and Haleʻiwa Gym. Her decades of leadership reflect a deep commitment to the North Shore’s past, present, and future.
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Glenn LeeNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2018
Glenn Lee is a trailblazer in STEM education and robotics. As co-founder of Team 359 at Waialua High & Intermediate, he launched Hawai‘i’s first organized robotics program and helped spark a statewide movement. His hands-on approach to learning has improved student outcomes and inspired many to pursue careers in engineering. Recognized globally, Glenn was a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize and a Milken Educator Award recipient, reflecting his lasting impact on education and the North Shore community.
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Doug ColeNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2017
Doug Cole has spent decades serving and protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the North Shore. Raised in the area, Doug’s deep connection to the land and ocean has guided his work as the former Executive Director and President of the North Shore Community Land Trust. His diverse background includes coaching, teaching, real estate, and volunteer leadership—having served as president of the Sunset Beach Community Association and as a member of the North Shore Neighborhood Board. With a law degree from UH Mānoa and a lifelong commitment to conservation, Doug remains a dedicated steward of Oʻahu’s rural landscape.
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Susan MatsushimaNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2016
Susan Matsushima is a respected agricultural leader and dedicated community advocate. As owner and CEO of Alluvion, Inc. in Haleʻiwa, she has spent nearly 30 years growing a thriving nursery, florist, and plant services business while championing sustainable local agriculture. Susan has served on the Board of Agriculture and actively supports community organizations through her involvement with Haleʻiwa Main Street and the Chamber. Her tireless advocacy for Hawai‘i-grown products and environmental stewardship has made a lasting impact on both the land and the people of the North Shore.
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Joe GreenNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2015
Joe Green is a beloved community figure known for his deep ties to surf culture and craftsmanship. As the owner of Surf N Sea—Hawai‘i’s longest-running surf shop—since 1983, Joe has preserved its historic charm while generously supporting community events and local organizations over the years. A skilled luthier, he handcrafts custom Haleiwa Ukuleles using sustainable, often reclaimed, Hawaiian woods—one of which was featured in Jack Johnson’s recording of “Breakdown.” Joe’s enduring commitment to culture, community, and craftsmanship has made him a true icon of the North Shore.
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Bob & Agnes LeinauNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2014
Bob and Agnes Leinau are longtime residents whose shared dedication to preservation, environmental stewardship, and community service has made a lasting impact. Bob, who served as General Manager of Waimea Valley for 35 years, is a passionate advocate for protecting the North Shore’s natural and cultural resources, actively engaging with groups like Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea and speaking out on key community issues. Agnes supports numerous local initiatives and is actively involved with the North Shore Outdoor Circle. Together, they are cherished pillars of the North Shore, known for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding its beauty and spirit.
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Joe LazarNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2013
Joe Lazar is a well-known restaurateur and community leader whose contributions have helped shape Haleʻiwa’s vibrant identity. As co-founder of Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill—now a beloved dining destination in both Haleʻiwa and Kāneʻohe—Joe has championed local food and hospitality since 1998. Beyond the restaurant, he has been a key figure in the North Shore Chamber of Commerce and Haleʻiwa Main Street, guiding the Chamber through critical transitions and supporting community events like the Haleʻiwa Bridge lighting and Christmas Santa visit. A devoted surfer and longtime resident, Joe’s commitment to community and culture continues to leave a lasting legacy.
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Patsy GibsonNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2012
Patsy was a dedicated leader of the North Shore Outdoor Circle, serving as branch President from 1992 to 1995. She set a high standard for fundraising through garden tours, luncheons, auctions, and plant sales that supported local beautification projects. Her most cherished effort was transforming the entrance to Haleʻiwa/Waialua at Weed Circle—a lasting legacy of her commitment to the North Shore community.
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Aunty Betty JenkinsNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2011
“Aunty” Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins was a treasured hulu kupuna whose life was dedicated to education, cultural preservation, and community service. A lifelong educator and founding member of Hālau o Haleʻiwa, she developed the “4Bs” teaching philosophy—Believe, Behave, Become, and Belong—rooted in Hawaiian values. She championed Hawaiian language and traditions, serving as Cultural, Historical, and Educational Chair for the Waimea Valley Master Plan and contributing to countless organizations statewide. Widely recognized for her wisdom and leadership, Aunty Betty remains an enduring source of inspiration on the North Shore and beyond.
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Bill PatyNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2010
William “Bill” Paty Jr. was a decorated World War II veteran and a dedicated leader whose contributions profoundly impacted Oʻahu’s North Shore and the state of Hawai‘i. After serving with distinction in the 101st Airborne Division and enduring captivity as a prisoner of war, he returned home to manage the Waialua Sugar Plantation for 38 years, becoming a cornerstone of the North Shore community.
In 1978, Paty was elected president of Hawai‘i’s Constitutional Convention, where he guided the adoption of significant reforms, including the creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the establishment of Hawaiian as an official state language. He later chaired the Board of Land and Natural Resources, championing environmental stewardship and Native Hawaiian rights. Alongside his wife Peggy, he played a pivotal role in preserving Kaiaka Bay Beach Park in Haleʻiwa, ensuring its protection for future generations. Bill Paty’s legacy is one of courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Hawai‘i’s land and people. His tombstone bears the inscription “No Forget!” |
Lee BryantNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2009
Lee Bryant is a true example of community spirit and hands-on service. As the owner of North Shore Equipment Rentals in Waialua and a skilled heavy-equipment operator, Lee is known for always showing up—whether it’s clearing roads during floods, supporting school parades, restoring the Haleʻiwa Gym, or leading major volunteer projects. A former trustee of the Waialua Community Association and devoted father, he has donated countless hours to community efforts, including excavation and restoration work on the Chamber’s historic Telephone Exchange Building. With a heart for service shaped by humble roots and a commitment to passing those values to his daughters, Lee embodies the spirit of giving back and leading by example.
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Gary Anderson & Joan GossettNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2008
Gary D. Anderson and Joan Gossett are the founders of the Haleʻiwa Arts Festival, a beloved community event established in 1998 to celebrate and support local arts and culture. Through their leadership, the festival became a vibrant platform for artists and a cornerstone of cultural life on the North Shore. Their decades of service left a lasting legacy of creativity, community engagement, and artistic opportunity that continues to inspire today.
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Blake McelhenyNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2007
Blake McElheny is a longtime advocate for preserving the natural beauty and rural character of Oʻahu’s North Shore. A founding board member of the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation and advisor to the North Shore Community Land Trust, Blake has been a strong voice for responsible development, land conservation, and community safety. Through public testimony, legal action, and environmental education, he has worked tirelessly to protect open space and ensure the North Shore remains a place of cultural and ecological integrity for future generations.
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Randy RarickNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2006
Randy Rarick is a legendary figure in the world of surfing whose impact has shaped the sport locally and globally. A co-founder of both the International Professional Surfers (IPS) and the prestigious Triple Crown of Surfing, Randy played a central role in professionalizing the sport and establishing the North Shore as its spiritual and competitive home. As Executive Director of the Triple Crown for nearly four decades, he elevated the global status of Hawai‘i surfing. A master surfboard shaper and renowned restorer, Randy continues to honor and preserve the culture, history, and shoreline of surfing’s birthplace.
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North Shore LifeguardsCommunty Awardees Year - 2006 (w/Randy Rarick)
Rick Williams receives the Chamber’s Youth Award for his unwavering commitment to the North Shore Junior Lifeguard Program, which he led for over 12 years. Through his instruction, hundreds of local youth have learned vital ocean safety, CPR, and rescue skills—many going on to save lives or become professional lifeguards themselves. Fred Booth is honored as the 2006 Rookie of the Year for his exceptional athleticism, professionalism, and courage as a full-time lifeguard, including notable rescues at Pipeline and Jocko’s. Mitch Richardson receives special recognition for community service; after surviving a surfing accident at Waimea Bay, he has dedicated his life to protecting others as a North Shore lifeguard, averaging a rescue a day during the winter season along the Chun’s to Laniakea stretch.
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James Awai
North Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2005
James “Jimmy” Awai Jr. was a cherished member of the Waialua community, known for his deep roots and enduring contributions to the area. After moving to Waialua in 1958 with his wife, Dorothy Kanani Awai, he became an integral part of the community, with his family residing there for generations. Jimmy's dedication to public service was evident through his work as a legislative aide, where he played a role in local governance and community development. His commitment to the people of Waialua left a lasting impact, and he is remembered fondly by those who knew him.
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Rod Miller, M.D.North Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2005
Dr. Rodman “Rod” B. Miller, M.D., was a respected physician and community leader in Waialua and Haleiwa. A U.S. Army World War II veteran and graduate of Louisiana State University Medical School, Dr. Miller founded the Haleiwa Family Medical Center, providing essential healthcare services to the North Shore community. His dedication to medicine and public service left a lasting impact on the region.
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Meryl Anderson & Peggy Paty North Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2004
Mery and Peggy were childhood friends and both ended up marrying Waialua boys and subsequently lived here permanently and raised their families here. They were both very active in the community and one of their main efforts was participation on the Board of Haleiwa Main Street (dba North Shore Chamber)
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Ron ValencianaNorth Shore Kamaʻāina of the Year - 2003
Ron Valenciana was a beloved community leader whose life was defined by service, compassion, and commitment to others. As pastor of the Once a Month Church at Haleʻiwa Beach Park and publisher of the North Shore News, Ron used both his faith and his voice to uplift the community. He founded the Haleʻiwa Food Bank and launched Operation Backpack, ensuring local families and children had access to essential resources. Known for his warmth and generosity—whether officiating weddings or organizing food drives—Ron’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched across the North Shore.
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