Commerce and Consumer Affairs Honors Top Employees

In recognition of their hard work throughout the year Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Larry Reifurth honored outstanding employees as Team of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Employee of the Year.

John T. Hassler, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Employee of the Year.

John T. Hassler, staff attorney for DCCA's Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO), was selected as the Employee of the Year. Hassler prosecutes cases involving professional and vocational licensing violations and routinely handles many of the division’s most challenging cases, including medical licensing violations. His dedication to fair and effective enforcement of the licensing laws has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.

Lance K. Hirano, chief financial analyst, Insurance Division, was named DCCA's Manager of the Year. As the leader of the Financial Surveillance Branch, Hirano has implemented a comprehensive and in-depth process to monitor and analyze the financial condition of domestic insurance companies. He works closely with the staff in his branch to foster innovative approaches to insurance regulation.

Manager of the Year Lance K. Hirono.

Administrative Services Office – Fiscal Staff, Accounting Services and Cashiering Services Section was chosen as the department's Team of the Year. This team provides consistent, uninterrupted and timely processing of payments and collections service to the public and to the various DCCA divisions. Team members include Cheryl Arakaki, Barbara Harada, Darleen Hoshida, Susan Kanda, Teresita Idos, Eliza Martin, Kay Okimoto, Toni Ukishima, and Lisa Wang.

In addition to the three primary awards, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs also honored:

Melanie Yoshida, office assistant, Division of Financial Institutions, with the Spirit of DCCA Award. Yoshida lives and breathes "aloha" and "kokua" that is the spirit of DCCA. She originated the idea of organizing a DCCA "Support our Troops" project to send care packages to our Hawai`i troops and has spearheaded that effort for the past four years. Yoshida also creates Hawaiian print Christmas stockings and handmade postcards to send to our troops overseas. This award recognizes the DCCA employee whose intangible contributions are not a part of the statewide awards programs.

DCCA's Team of the Year - Administrative Services Office – Fiscal Staff, Accounting Services and Cashiering Services Section.

Theresa Anne K. Kong Kee, investor education specialist, Business Registration Division, with the Service Award. In the span of two years, Theresa has developed a highly successful and vibrant Investor Education Program that has reached more than 60,000 people throughout the islands. She was recognized in 2007 by the North American Securities Administrators Association with the Investor Education Outreach Award for the "Most Investor Education Consumers Reached."

D.B. Griffin, III, commissioner, Division of Financial Institutions with the Merlin Award. D.B. Griffin III has been Commissioner of Financial Institutions since 2003. Since then, he has used his extensive knowledge of the financial services industry and his vast managerial experience to implement critical initiatives within the division that have led to more efficient and effective regulatory oversight of the state's financial institutions.

From left: Melanie Yoshida, D.B. Griffin III and Theresa Anna Kong Kee.

Outstanding employees from every state department will compete in the annual Governor's Awards on October 17. These awards are designed to honor state executive branch employees, managers and work teams who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication in serving the people of Hawai`i.