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! 

Human Resources Professional of the Year Award

This award honors a member of SHRM Hawaii who 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
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership
  • Contribute to the positive image of the Human Resources profession
  • Be a SHRM Hawaii member in good standing
  • 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

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

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 Volunteer Service Award 

This 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 award recipient must:

  • Serve as a role model and live the SHRM Hawaii values of Lokahi, Kina‘ole, and Kuleana
  • 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 member in good standing

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

This 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
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership
  • Contribute to the positive image of the Human Resources profession
  • Be a SHRM member in good standing
  • 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

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.