University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Facilities Manager James “Kimo” Yamaguchi has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance. This award honors a UH employee who exhibits dedication and sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial, shop or trucking position.
Yamaguchi played a central role in planning and preparing the UH West Oʻahu campus for its transition from Pearl City to Kapolei. He met frequently with architects to discuss specific details of each building and he oversaw the installation of fixtures, equipment and furniture at the brand new campus. Yamaguchi also worked closely with the interim library director to set up the UH West Oʻahu library building, and with very little staff.
Yamaguchi is commended for juggling a variety of duties and big projects and working long hours and on weekends. He is always focused, professional and determined and keeps his sense of humor in tact.
Now that UH West Oʻahu is open and running smoothly, Yamaguchi has turned to maintenance and landscaping the new campus. His colleagues say his hard work, leadership and compassion for UH West Oʻahu have resulted in a truly beautiful campus that inspires creativity, reflection, peace and a commitment to learning.
The President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance will be presented to Yamaguchi at the monthly meeting of the Board of Regents on February 20, 2014 at UH Mānoa.
