VIS Volunteer Banquet
Story by Richard Berner, VIS
This year we held the volunteer appreciation dinner on September 25 at Hale Pohaku. We started the ceremony at 5 pm with a pule from Kimo, followed by dinner. The awards ceremony started at 6pm with a slide show about the volunteer program.
We handed out certificates and a Mauna Kea Poster to all attending volunteers, recognizing them and their contribution. We then awarded along with certificates and posters, embroidered hats to all attending 100 hour and 250 hour volunteers.
MKSS Manager Ron Koehler expressing his appreciation, while VIS Manager David Byrne looks on
There were 4 special contribution volunteers this year: Linda Tran received an award as the First Light Book Store (FLBS) special contributions volunteer, Rowland Casil recieved an award for longstanding support above the call of duty, Anne Michels received an award as the outreach volunteer, and Moses David received an award for his efforts and support of the volunteer program. These volunteers received an embroidered fleece jacket along with the 100 or 250 hour volunteer hat, certificate and poster.
This year, we presented our Mauna Kea Hoku award for the first time. The volunteer has contributed over 1000 total volunteer hours to our proram, and was presented to Marc Seigar, along with an engraved plaque and his name engraved on our Hoku Volunteer perpetual plaque. Marc was also the Most Dedicated Volunteer and the Volunteer of the Year.
Marc Seigar, with his Hoku Award and the perpetual award
Bill Stormont, Kimo Pihana, Trevor Anderson, Gary Adams, Andy Adamson, Cathy Ishida, Ron Koehler and Gary Fujihara attended the banquet representing the Office of Mauna Kea Management, Joint Astronomy Centre, Subaru Telescope, UH Institute for Astronomy and Mauna Kea Support Services.
VIS Volunteer Awards List

250 Hours
Marc Seigar
Moses David
Anne Michels
Rowland Casil
Ben Berkey
Eldridge Shay
John Altonn
Zena Lyons
Brian Ansorge
Linda Tran

100 Hours
Julia Bodnarik
Jennifer Slack
Hazel Butler
Roberto Avila
H. Michihara
Justin Stevick
Jeffery Kutz
Sarrah Knights
BreAnna Waliser
Dan Birchall
Jessica Blagen
Dylan Terry
Alanna Garay
Heather Hanily
Holly Kerr

Under 100 Hours
Alex Bouquin
Dorothy Lahman
Sarah McLane
Paul Patnode
John Radar
Raphael Chenault
Nancy Skupen
Akira Tanaka
Melissa Winwood
Kelby Hicks
Jeanette Ostrander
Jennie Berghuis
Mandie Leonard
Zee Knight
Houston Wade
Eric Rasc

Mahalo Nui Loa to all VIS Volunteers!
One of the best reasons for volunteering at the VIS is eating at Hale Pohaku. Ono food. Volunteers with 100+ hours of service to the Visitor Information Station
Volunteers with 250+ hours of service to the Visitor Information Station Special servicer award volunteers
Past and present VIS Volunteer of the Year Award recipients line up The usual suspects - the attendees of the 2004 VIS Volunteer Appreciation Banquet
Representatives of MKSS, OMKM, VIS and the Mauna Kea Observatories