The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (NHCC) proudly announces the honorees of the 48th Annual ʻŌʻō Awards Gala, set to take place on Oct. 17, 2025, at the Sheraton Waikīkī.
This prestigious event honors Native Hawaiian leaders who exemplify excellence in business and community service, embodying the values and traditions of their ancestors.
Established in 1977, the ʻŌʻō Awards recognize Native Hawaiian business leaders who demonstrate courage, resilience, and dedication to their craft and the people of Hawaiʻi. The award symbolizes NHCC’s commitment to acknowledging leaders who advocate for Hawaiians in business, ensuring that Hawaiian culture and values remain integral pillars that are passed on to future generations.
This year’s honorees have made significant contributions to the Native Hawaiian community in different areas.
Tammy Smith is a respected community leader and advocate of ‘ai pono (healthy eating) who has dedicated her life to feeding our people. She is a second-generation owner of the Hale Kealoha restaurant and catering business in Kailua which served Hawaiʻi for some 35 years. Her work included providing healthy lunches for 300 Hawaiian-focused charter school students each day. When COVID-19 struck, Tammy was working as the dietary manager for The King Lunalilo Trust and Home, overseeing their meal delivery program. A pandemic hero, she expanded her efforts to kūpuna stuck at home, working tirelessly to ensure that they had healthy food, rallying the community to kōkua and partnering with Alu Like and Alexander and Baldwin to pack and deliver some 1,000 meals per week.
Robert Piper has been a dedicated member of NHCC since 1990. He serves as executive director and CEO of the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP), a nonprofit that addresses poverty. His involvement in public service includes roles as deputy director of the State Department of Budget and Finance and as chief of staff to the lieutenant governor. A former business attorney and banker, Robert has served on numerous community and nonprofit boards. He is a Weinberg Fellow, an East-West Center and Kamehameha Schools Fellow, and was named one of Hawaiʻi Business magazine’s “Twenty for the Next Twenty” emerging leaders.
Ray Soon is a lifelong public servant and leader whose career spans planning, housing, education, and historic preservation. After earning a master’s in city planning from Harvard, Ray returned to Hawaiʻi in 1990 to serve at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, eventually becoming chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and leading the development of over 3,000 homesteads. He has held key leadership roles at Kamehameha Schools, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and was chief of staff to the Honolulu mayor. Now retired, Ray remains a steadfast advocate for Hawaiian communities, supporting leadership development and continuing his legacy through his family and consulting work with Solutions Pacific.
The 48th Annual ʻŌʻō Awards Gala promises an evening of celebration, reflection, and inspiration. Attendees will enjoy a program featuring cultural performances, heartfelt tributes, and opportunities to connect with fellow community members dedicated to the advancement of Native Hawaiians.
Join us as we honor these exceptional individuals and reaffirm our commitment to a thriving future rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Hawaiian community.
For more info and to purchase tickets, visit nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.
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