SAVE THE DATE & NOMINATE
Nominate your favorite mental health champion for an award and recognition in one of the categories below. This event celebrates our community leaders, advocates and employers who have dedicated themselves to promoting mental wellness and improving the care of people with mental health challenges through positive and innovative programs and leadership. It is important to recognize and celebrate the commitment and effort of Hawaii’s mental health champions.
Awards will be given in the following categories:
Outstanding Community Mental Health Leader: An individual or community organization that has led significant advocacy initiatives or spearheaded innovative new programs that resulted in meaningful improvement to mental health, in Hawaii.
Outstanding Government Leader: A government employee, elected official, or government agency that has developed groundbreaking programs and/or spearheaded public policies that significantly promote mental health.
Outstanding Adult Mental Health Consumer Advocate: A person who has experienced mental illness and is a strong representative and advocate for improving mental health treatment and services and reducing discrimination.
Outstanding Youth Mental Health Advocate: A young person (24 years and under) who is a strong advocate for increasing awareness of mental health, improving mental health treatment and services, and reducing discrimination.
Outstanding Employer: An employer that provides innovative workplace programs to support employees’ mental wellness and/or that hires people who have serious mental illness.
Outstanding Family Advocate: A person who has a family member with mental illness who acts as a strong advocate for family members and people with mental illness.
The deadline for nominations is March 16, 2025.
Previous winners, current Mental Health America of Hawaii staff and Board of Directors are not eligible for this award. Click here to see a list of previous winners.
2024 Mental Health Mahalo Awardees
Outstanding Community Mental Health Leader
Tina Boteilho, LMFT
Outstanding Community Mental Health Leader
Seeds of Wellbeing
Outstanding Government Leader
Tia L.R. Hartsock
Outstanding Government Leader
Marian Tsuji
Outstanding Adult Mental Health Consumer Advocate
Brysen Poulton
Outstanding Youth Mental Health Advocate
Tianna Webster
Outstanding Family Advocate
Susan McGovern
Outstanding Employer
La Pietra – Hawaiʻi School for Girls
In addition to the Mahalo Awards, Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, along with its partners at PBS Hawaiʻi, recognized five Student Voice Awardees. Students from across the state, who participated in PBS Hawai`i’s HIKI NŌ program, were considered for the courage to raise their voices, chronicle personal challenges and triumphs, and to share their story whole heartedly.
2024 Student Voice Awardees
Mari Iwata
Waiākea High School
“Taking a Swing”
Kamamalu Kauwe
Kau High & Pahala Elementary School
“Shadow Monster”
Eli O’Meara and Zetta Freitas
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
“The Person I Am”
Arlo Spiro and Taylor McClung
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
“A Fresh Start”
Jadynn-Kalena Young
Pearl City High School
“How Hula Changed My Life”
Entertainment provided by Wil Tafolo
Wil Tafolo is a multi-instrumentalist and singer raised on the island of Oahu. He’s been playing music professionally since 2009. He plays locally with a number of acts including Tavana, Mango Season, Herb Ohta Jr, and Kailua Moon. He also tours extensively with Shing02.