June 22, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WALTER A. DODS, JR., PATIENCE NAMAKA BACON AND DR. YOSIHIKO SINOTO TO RECEIVE BISHOP MUSUEM’S HIGHEST HONORS
HONOLULU – Bishop Museum will confer its most prestigious awards on Walter A. Dods, Jr., Patience Namaka Bacon, and Dr. Yosihiko Sinoto at the 7th Annual Bernice Pauahi Bishop Awards Dinner. The event will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2005 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the historic grounds of Bishop Museum.
Walter Dods will receive the Charles Reed Bishop Medal, recognizing him for embodying the spirit and purpose of the Museum’s founder. Dods worked his way through management positions in every part of First Hawaiian Bank, which was founded by Charles Reed Bishop, and headed the bank for 15 years until his retirement as CEO in 2004. His passion for community service began as a young man, and over the years he has served on the boards of more than 30 local charities. Even in retirement he remains active on several nonprofit boards, and serves as Chairman of the Board for BancWest Corporation and First Hawaiian Bank.
Receiving the Robert J. Pfeiffer Medal for their dedication to the advancement and perpetuation of Hawai‘i's cultural heritage are Patience Namaka Bacon and Dr. Yosihiko Sinoto. Bacon is the Museum’s Senior Advisor for Cultural Affairs and has been a Museum staff member for more than 30 years. She has received many accolades for her contributions to and perpetuation of Hawaiian language and culture, most recently receiving the Order of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi award.
Dr. Yosihiko Sinoto, renowned archaeologist and protégé of Pacific anthropology pioneer Dr. Kenneth Emory, has played a significant role in the understanding of pre-contact Polynesian culture. He has been a Bishop Museum researcher for more than 30 years, and continues to be involved in the study and conservation of ancient Tahitian traditions and marae (temple sites). He is widely recognized for his work, recently honored by Japan’s Order of the Rising Son and bestowed Tahitian knighthood. He is the Museum’s Kenneth Pike Emory Distinguished Chair.
In celebration of the honorees’ contributions to the community, some of Hawai‘i's top chefs will prepare delicious samplings al fresco. Chefs include Roy Yamaguchi, Alan Wong, Russell Siu, and D.K. Kodama. Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winners Willie K and Ale‘a will entertain. Special tours of Hawaiian Hall and the Museum’s collections will make for a truly unique experience.
Tickets are $200 per person; premium tables are available. All event proceeds benefit Bishop Museum’s education programs. For tickets or for more information call (808) 848-4169.
The first Bernice Pauahi Bishop Awards dinner was held in 1998, and since then has continued to celebrate community members who have made life-long commitments to Hawai‘i and its people.