HONOLULU — The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) hosted its annual Incentive and Service Awards ceremony at the state Capitol auditorium Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Over a dozen employees were honored for their outstanding accomplishments and their dedication to public service that spanned 10, 20, 30 and 40 years.

Honored guests at the ceremony included Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, DCR Director Tommy Johnson, DCR Deputy Director Melanie Martin of the Administration Division, DCR Deputy Director Sanna Muñoz of the Rehabilitation Services and Programs Division, House Public Safety Committee Chair Rep. Della Au Belatti, DCR administrators and staff and family members and loved ones.

DCR Director Tommy Johnson praised employees for their commitment and professionalism. “Each of you are an inspiration and epitomize public service. I am honored to be working alongside you,” Johnson said.

During the ceremony, Johnson addressed attendees and thanked employees for their extraordinary work. “The leadership team and I, we recognize your dedication and service and we appreciate it…,” he added.

Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke also lauded employees for their hard work. “The job that you have is not easy and you come to work on a daily basis with compassion, with care,” Luke said.

At the ceremony, Belatti, the keynote speaker, said, “I know you go above and beyond every single day to keep our community safe, and resilient and thriving by doing some of those most difficult, grueling and often forgotten work of keeping our communities safe,” Belatti said.

“This is not just a celebration of public service but those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and on the frontlines. This is about people who are ensuring the well-being of our citizens, both inside and outside of our prisons and jails,” she added.

The following employees were honored in the following categories for their excellence in public service:

• 2024 TEAM (Team Excellence Award of Merit) of the Year: Lucille Garcia, Erica Pham-Lieu and Oriett Siangco of the Healthcare Division Health Information Unit Team
• 2024 Manager of the Year: Correctional Industries Specialist Kelli Miyasaki of the Hawaiʻi Correctional Industries
• 2024 Employee of the Year: Hālawa Correctional Facility Education Supervisor Marly Jane Nakamura of the Corrections Program Services Division – Education Services Branch.

The honorees will be nominated for the Governor’s Award in their respective categories.

The following employees were also honored with a Sustained Superior Performance Award for their consistent, excellent work that surpass their normal duties and responsibilities: Clinical Services Branch Administrator Tina Agaran RN of the Healthcare Division, Hawaiʻi Correctional Industries Shop Supervisor Dylan-Joshua Cabalo, Administrative Assistant Jessie Macadamia of the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, Administrative Assistant Neichelle-Ann Tui of the Corrections Program Services Division and Human Resources Assistant Chanistee-Ann Uahinui of the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center.

Effective January 1, 2024 the Department of Public Safety split into two departments: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE).

Since the redesignation, all law enforcement operations joined the DLE and the new DCR shifted its focus from what was viewed as a punitive model to a rehabilitative and restorative approach.

The mission of DCR is to provide a secure correctional environment for rehabilitative and wraparound reentry services, including culturally based approaches, to those in our custody and care. The department’s goal is to reduce recidivism and enhance the safety and security of our communities.

Photos and videos are available at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17MZjtkpSk8SybictuUxy1XzKncNJ9Iw6?usp=sharing.

Media contact:
Rosemarie Bernardo
Public Information Officer
Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office: 808-587-1358
Cell: 808-683-5507
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov