NAWILIWILI — It was more than Boss’s Day for about two dozen employers Thursday night. Dave Jordan, the vocational coordinator for Friendship House, said the annual employers award banquet was a way for members to express their appreciation for having
NAWILIWILI — It was more than Boss’s Day for about two dozen employers Thursday night.
Dave Jordan, the vocational coordinator for Friendship House, said the annual employers award banquet was a way for members to express their appreciation for having a place to work.
Jordan said about two dozen employers were honored at this year’s eighth annual event at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club, which just happened to be one of the honorees.
“Currently, we have about 50 percent of our members employed in transitional, supportive or independent employment by the employers we are honoring tonight,” Jordan said. “Nationally, that figure is about 15 percent so we’re really happy. We must be doing something right.”
Marlene Blair of Kukui Grove Cinema, who recently was presented the 2005 Outstanding Employer honors by the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation & Services for the Blind Division, was on hand with her employee John, a Friendship House member.
“She deserves recognition for the amount of time she’s been doing this and the commitment she extends to her employees,” said Layne Shigeta, a counselor with the vocational rehabilitation agency. “She’s been doing this for a long time.”
Lyle Kobashigawa of the Kaua‘i Kookie Kompany was another honored employer. He sat with two of his employees — Mildred Rabago and Keith Oshiro.
“Normally, (employees) come to us for about six to nine months,” Kobashigawa said. “They’re then rotated out. But Mildred has been here a long time.”
Kobashigawa said Rabago, who is deaf, started out like any other Friendship House employee, but he liked her work ethic. That led to Rabago’s promotion from sanitation to utility, where she now packs cookies.
Rabago’s original tour of six months has extended to five years.
“Keith started out as a janitor, too,” Kobashigawa said. “But now he helps Mildred pack cookies as well.”
In 2005, Kobashigawa was the recipient of a national employer award, a feat accomplished because Friendship House Katie Vercelli nominated him for his efforts with the members, Jordan said.
“(Vercelli) is still new at Friendship House, but can already see what our employers do,” Jordan said.
As employers and their representatives entered the ball room, they were greeted by music from the Friendship House band who offered a wide variety of music ranging from Hawaiian to more contemporary jazz and blues.
“This is really something,” Jordan said. “The members get up on stage and present their employers with the awards. It’s really special.”
This year’s roster of honored employers includes Olympic Cafe, Pono Cleaners, Kapa‘a United Church of Christ, Kapa‘a Big Save, Koloa Big Save, Larry’s Construction, Wong’s Chinese Restaurant, Kaua‘i Kookie Kompany, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club, Mark’s Place, ResortQuest Kaua‘i Beach at Makaiwa, Famous Footwear, St. Michael & All Angel’s Episcopal Church, Kukui Grove Cinema, Mike’s Delivery, Scotty’s Beachside BBQ, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa, Clifford Dixon, Nursefinders and Peer Coaching.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
