From left, Mandy Thronas-Brown, Randy Tom, Father Lane Akiona, Lito Alvarez, Michael Madix and Chuck Davlin (representing the Knights of Columbus Supreme Office). (Photo courtesy of Cam Datanagan)
By Robert Camilleri
Special to the Herald
One hundred and eighty-five Knights of Columbus and their families gathered for the Hawaii State Council awards night and dinner Jan. 7 at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, the first such event since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The night began with an invocation by Bishop Larry Silva. The U.S. and Hawaii flags were presented by the Hawaii Fourth Degree Color Corps, followed by the singing of the national and Hawaii state anthems. After a delicious buffet dinner, immediate past State Deputy Michael M. Madix and current State Deputy Ryan K. Brown presented the awards for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 fraternal years.
The awards for 2020-2021 are as follows:
Winning the Faith in Action awards were, in the Family Category, St. John the Apostle Council 14663; Faith Category, St. Elizabeth Council 6906; Life Category, Holy Family Council 17124; and Community Category, Kamiano Council 11743.
Star Council Awards, the highest award for Knights of Columbus councils, went to 24 of 32 councils.
Receiving individual awards were:
- Knight of the Year: John Loughlin (St. John the Apostle Council 14663)
- Lady of the Year: Patricia Manasala (St. John the Baptist Council 17042)
- State Officer of the Year: Randy Tom (Kamiano Council 11743)
- District Deputy of the Year: RJ Juanillio (Immaculate Conception Council 6734)
- Grand Knight of the Year: Bob Allen (Kamiano Council 11743)
St. John the Baptist Council 17042 won Council of the Year.
For the first time, the Hawaii State Council awarded a priest the Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor, which recognizes a lifetime of exemplary service to the Knights of Columbus, went to Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona, state chaplain of the Hawaii State Council and council chaplain of Kamiano Council 11743 in Waikiki.
Father Akiona, who last year celebrated his 40th year as a priest, is the head of the U.S. province of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and pastor of St. Augustine Church in Waikiki. He has provided spiritual guidance to Knights and their families for over 25 years.
The night closed with Benediction by Bishop Silva.
