Photo: Herb Lee
Herb Lee, of the Pacific American Foundation, receives his award. - Photos: Blaine Fergerstrom

The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce recognized three business and community leaders for their foundational knowledge, leadership and integrity at the 41st ʻŌʻō Awards ceremony in April.

Dr. Gerard Akaka, Queen’s Health Systems’ vice president of Native Hawaiian affairs and clinical support, was honored for making a significant impact on Native Hawaiian health, world class health care for all and doctors who learn to practice the art of medicine with aloha.

Herb Lee has been the Executive Director of the Pacific American Foundation since 2005. Pacific American Foundation is one of the leading non-profits in the development and training of rigorous culture-based education programs for both Native Hawaiians and non-Hawaiian students.

The three honorees join four decades of ʻŌʻō Award recipients.

Naomi Clarke Losch, retired as an Associate Professor of Hawaiian at UH-Mānoa, was credited for her work on the educational forefront contributing to the growing relevance of Native Hawaiian issues — in politics, education, the arts and the environment.

More information on the ʻŌʻō Awards and NHCC is at nativehawaiianchamberofcommerce.org.