SHRM Hawaii Human Resources Awards

Honoring Hawaii’s HR Champions! 

At SHRM Hawaii, we celebrate HR professionals who go above and beyond to elevate the field of Human Resources - driving workplace excellence across business, education, government, and our communities. These visionary leaders, with a global mindset and a people-first approach, help shape HR as a respected and influential profession in Hawaii, fostering workplaces where people and organizations thrive.

Help us recognize the outstanding HR professionals making a difference in our community! 

2026 SHRM Hawaii HR Awards:  Call for Nominations
Opens: July 1, 2026
Closes: July 22, 2026

Human Resources Professional of the Year Award

The Human Resources Professional of the Year Award honors a member of SHRM Hawaii who has 10 years or more of HR experience and exemplifies the best of the profession’s values and achievements through specific accomplishments.

The award recipient must:

  • Serve as a role model and live the SHRM Hawaii values of Lokahi, Kina'ole, and Kuleana
  • Make a demonstrable difference in two or more of the areas in the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge:
    • Talent & Acquisition & Recruitment
    • Workforce Development & Planning
    • Total Rewards
    • Strategy & Organizational Change/Management
    • Employee/Labor Relations
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Policy & Legislative Advocacy
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership
  • Contribute to the positive image of the Human Resources profession
  • Be a SHRM Hawaii member in good standing

The recipient is allowed to receive the award in multiple years (for different achievements).

2025 HR Professional of the Year Award Recipient

Arlene exemplifies the best of modern HR - knowledgeable, empathetic, strategic, and deeply committed to continuous growth.

Human Resources Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes an individual who has dedicated more than 20 years to advancing the Human Resources profession.
The recipient must:

  • Demonstrate repeated outstanding achievements, as well as:
    • Recognition beyond the HR profession
    • Contributions of lasting impact
  • Meet all criteria for the HR Professional of the Year award


This award may be presented posthumously

2025 HR Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

With over forty years of experience, Mackie has inspired countless professionals with a philosophy to “guide but not lead” others to success.

Human Resources COMMUNITY SERVICE Award 

The Human Resources Community Service Award recognizes a member of SHRM Hawaii who gives selflessly and makes significant contributions to their community through their time, actions, talents and dedication. The individual selected should currently serve, or have served, as a significant role model and consistently lives or lived the SHRM Hawaii values of Lokahi, Kina’ole, and Kuleana.

Other requirements for the award include, but are not limited to;

  • Make a demonstrable difference by helping others in their community
  • Demonstrate outstanding community leadership
  • Contribute to the positive image of the Human Resources profession
  • Be a SHRM Hawaii member in good standing

The recipient is allowed to receive the award in multiple years (for different achievements).

2025 HR Volunteer Service Award Recipient

When the wildfires devastated Maui, Debbie was asked by federal, state and county leaders to run the assistance program.  Her primary focus for the last two years is to manage the wildfire relief programs.

Human Resources Emerging Professional Award

The Human Resources Emerging Professional Award honors a member of SHRM Hawaii who has five years or less of HR experience and has demonstrated outstanding contributions as a leader who is at the beginning phase of their career.

The award recipient must:

  • Serve as a role model and live the SHRM Hawaii values of Lokahi, Kina‘ole, and Kuleana
  • Make a demonstrable difference in two or more of the areas in the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge:
    o Talent Acquisition & Recruitment
    o Workforce Development & Planning
    o Total Rewards
    o Strategy & Organizational Change/Management
    o Employee/Labor Relations
    o Learning & Development
    o Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    o Policy & Legislative Advocacy
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership
  • Contribute to the positive image of the Human Resources profession
  • Be a SHRM member in good standing


The recipient is only allowed to receive the award once.

2025 HR Emerging Professional Award Recipient

Na Ali'i has achieved significant professional milestones that reflect his deep commitment to culture-building, associate engagement, and people-first leadership, all within the early stages of his HR career.