Awards and Recognition
• 2017 State Senator of the Year - Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i
• 2017 LUNG FORCE Champion Award - American Lung Association in Hawai‘i
• 2017 Mike Lyons' Award - Hawai‘i Farm Bureau
• 2017 Legislator of the Year - Hawai‘i Dental Hygienists Association
• 2016 Legislator of the Year - National Association of Social Workers, Hawai‘i Chapter
• 2016 Advocacy Award - Hawai‘i Academy of Family Physicians
• 2015 Clydesdale Award - Anheuser-Busch Sales of Hawai‘i
• 2015 Legislator of the Year - Hawai‘i Farm Bureau
• 2015 State Senator of the Year - Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i
• 2015 Plaque of Appreciation - Lahaina Complex After School Tutoring Program
• 2015 Health Hero - Hawai‘i COPD Coalition
• 2014 State Award for Excellence - American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• 2014 Patsy T. Mink Award - Patsy T. Mink Political Action Committee
• 2014 Angel Award - Women Helping Women
• 2014 State Legislator of the Year - HiMSS
• 2014 Plaque of Appreciation - American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, HI Division
• 2013 St. George National Award - American Cancer Society
• 2013 Achievement in Advocacy Award - Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i
• 2013 Legislator of the Year - Hawai‘i Dental Hygienists' Association
• 2012 Kahu Malama Award - Gregory House Programs
• 2012 Outstanding Elected Leader - The Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawai‘i
• 2012 Bette Takahashi Service Award - Planned Parenthood of Hawai‘i
• 2011 Nurse Champion Award - Pacific Institute of Nursing
• 2011 Faith in Democracy Award - Faith Action for Community Equity
• 2011 Exemplary Comprehensive Cancer Control Leadership by an Elected Official - C-Change
• 2011 National Distinguished Advocacy Award - American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
• 2011 Legislative Champion - American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• 2011 Plaque of Appreciation - 3rd Annual Henry Kaleialoha Allen Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
• 2010 Legislative Partner Award - Maui Family Support Services, Inc.
• 2010 Champion Award - Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition/Safe Kids Hawai‘i
• 2010 Shining Light Award - Hawai‘i Alliance for Retired Americans and Kokua Council
• 2010 Certificate of Appreciation - Hawai‘i Society of Respiratory Care
• 2010 Certificate of Appreciation - Mental Health America of Hawai‘i Maui Branch
• 2009 Legislator of the Year - The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
• 2009 "Friend of Nursing" Award - Honor Society of Nurses
• 2009 Good Government Club Special Recognition Award - Hawaiian Telcom
• 2009 Legislator of the Year - Nurse Associations of Hawai‘i
• 2008 Appreciation Award - School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
• 2008 The Makua Makai Award - Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i
• 2008 Exceptional Community Service Award - Maui Democrats
• 2007 Certificate of Appreciation - Hawai‘i Women's Political Caucus
• 2007 Plaque of Appreciation - Hawai‘i Counseling Association
• 2006 Certificate of Appreciation - Maui Tobacco Free Partnership
• 2006 Outstanding Elected Official - Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawai‘i
• 2006 Kūlia Award - Hawai‘i Primary Care Association
• 2005 Raising the Bar Award
• 2005 Plaque of Appreciation - Maui Filipino Community Council and Binhi at Ani
• 2004 Legislator of the Year - Hawai‘i Optometric Association
• 2004 Legislator of the Year - Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i
• 2004 Certificate of Appreciation - Binhi at Ani
• 2003 Legislator of the Year - Hawai‘i Psychological Association
• 1998 Legislator of the Year - Hawai‘i Long Term Care Association
• 1995 Distinguished Alumni - Southwest Texas State University Alumni Association
• 1990 - Plaque of Appreciation - Parents, Teachers and Students of King Kamehameha III School
Paul Harris Fellow - The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Presidential Leadership Award - Women in Government
Certificate of Appreciation - Maui Tobacco Free Partnership