Employees and Employers Recognized during Disability Employment Awareness Month

Posted on Dec 4, 2015 in NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2015

Honolulu, HI – The Hawai‘i Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the State Rehabilitation Council will recognize employers and employees who go the extra mile and overcome barriers on Oct. 28. Individuals and companies from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island will be honored at a ceremony at the Ala Moana Hotel. The event, which begins at 11:30 a.m., rounds out Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Every October, Hawai‘i celebrates Disability Employment Awareness Month in conjunction with the annual national campaign to raise awareness about disability employment issues and to celebrate America’s workers with disabilities’ many and varied contributions. The theme this year is, “My Disability Is One Part of Who I Am.”

The U.S. Department of Labor reported that in 2014, 17.1 percent of persons with disabilities were employed. In comparison, 64.6 percent of people without a disability were employed. Disability Employment Awareness Month encourages employers from the public and private sectors to see the whole person, promoting and supporting employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

At the ceremony, the following eight employers will be recognized for going above and beyond to provide employment to a person with a disability. The following eight employees with disabilities who overcame barriers to get and keep a job will also be honored.

2015 Outstanding Employers
Aloha Pallets, Hilo, Hawai‘i
Defense Commissary Agency, Honolulu, O‘ahu
Flying Food Group, Honolulu, O‘ahu
Hawaiian Cane & Sugar Company, Pu‘unēnē, Maui
Jo-jo’s Anuenue Shave Ice & Treats, Waimea, Kaua‘i
Lowe’s Home Improvement, Honolulu, O‘ahu
No Ka Oi Landscape Services, Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i
Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, Honolulu, Oahu

2015 Outstanding Employees with Disabilities
Martin Aoki, Honolulu, O‘ahu (Popeye’s)
Anthony Bick, Wailuku, Maui (Hawaiian Cane & Sugar Company)
John Bungitak, Honoka‘a, Hawai‘i (self-employed)
Shazerrae Daniels, Honolulu, Oahu (Flying Food Group Hawaii)
Angelyn Bueno, Honolulu, O‘ahu (Cake Works)
Suzanne Kiyabu, Honolulu, O‘ahu (Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific)
David Leialoha, Waimea, Kaua‘i (Waimea Plantation Cottages)
Michael Nizo, Hilo, Hawai‘i (self-employed)