NAWILIWILI — The County of Kaua‘i was honored with a Transportation Security Administration National Partnership Award during the TSA awards program at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club. Support from the county including Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., Kaua‘i
NAWILIWILI — The County of Kaua‘i was honored with a Transportation Security Administration National Partnership Award during the TSA awards program at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
Support from the county including Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry, and Kaua‘i Civil Defense Agency’s Mark Marshall resulted in the Lihu‘e Airport being the first airport in the state to receive the Advanced Imaging Technology.
This piece of equipment serves as a priority with TSA Headquarters because it is the most sophisticated piece of security equipment available in the industry and an additional layer of security in ensuring the safety of the travelling public.
During the program, TSA took the time to honor not only its partners, but its outstanding officers and staff as well as those with five and 10-year service awards.
Bernard Machado, superintendent, and Armando Corpuz, electrician, both of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Lihu‘e Airport Maintenance Dept. were recognized as one of two Partnership Recognition award recipients for their support and participation in opening additional checkpoints for air travel passengers at the Lihu‘e Airport.
Tad Miura Jr. was also presented the Partnership Recognition award as a HAM and MARS Communications Expert.
TSA employees being recognized included BDO Doris Williams as the Team Spirit Officer of the Year, TSO Kimberly Cayetano as the Integrity Officer of the Year, STSO Pualeilani Medeiros as the Innovation Officer of the Year, the Maintenance Team received a Special Recognition, the Threat Awareness and Countermeasures Team was recognized as the Overall Team.
FIN Denisse Ogata and STSO Monika Mali were presented with Administrative and Technical Performance awards.
Described as an unsung hero, Scheduling Operations Officer Tisha Rapozo-Soares received the Employee of the Year award for her invaluable contributions toward the success of the TSA mission at Lihu‘e Airport, states a TSA release.
SOO Rapozo-Soares’ work serves as a model of excellence in meeting the TSA Office of Security Operations five priorities including: Mitigate the Threat, People Matter, Support the Field, Work as a Team, and Make TSA the Place to Work.
Above her exceptional work ethic, SOO Rapozo-Soares has been instrumental in providing the TSA opportunities to strengthen partnerships within the local community by coordinating and executing numerous volunteer programs and events with community nonprofit organizations such as the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, the Kaua‘i Humane Society and various homeless shelters, said Sharlene Mata, U.S. Federal Security Director.
Some of these activities involved spearheading food drives, and the transfer of jackets to the Veterans Administration during the change of uniforms.
Lead Transportation Security Officer Nakoa Kaahanui, recipient of the Security Officer of the Year, has positively impacted the TSO workforce by serving as a model of excellence in leadership and commitment, states the release.
LTSO Kaahanui’s clear communication skills, decisiveness, and flexibility have equipped him with the experience and job knowledge necessary to meet the TSA mission while upholding TSA’s core values of integrity, innovation, and team work. Additionally, TSA Lihu‘e has received numerous passenger compliments highlighting his conflict resolution and customer service skills.
