Hawaii Legislature recognizes Commander Navy Region Hawaii employee

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

HONOLULU (NNS) -- A DoD employee at Commander Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) received recognition for his dedicated community service from the Hawaii House of Representatives, at the State Capitol, Feb. 4.

Stanford Yuen, CNRH special assistant for intergovernmental affairs, appeared at the State Capitol to be recognized with a plaque of appreciation presented by Rep. Rida Cabanilla and Rep. Corrine Ching during a regular session of the House.

"Stanford Yuen has received many awards for his accomplishments, dedication and leadership and has contributed his time, efforts and leadership and expertise as a volunteer in numerous community activities," Cabanilla said during her remarks on the House floor. "The extensive training, assignments and education undertaken and achieved by Yuen improved military engineering, governmental relations and business affairs vital to our nation's defense."

Yuen began his federal career in 1975 as a mechanical engineer at Hickam Air Force Base. He later joined CNRH as a facilities engineer in 1993. In 2000, he became a special assistant to the admiral.

Today, Executive Assistant of Intergovernmental Affairs Yuen works closely with Navy leadership, Hawaii government officials and local businesses.

"I deal with the community," said Yuen. "A lot of time, the work involves relationships, making sure they understand the Navy and what we are doing and how the Navy benefits the State."

Yuen, who resides in Honolulu, is a member of the Chinatown neighborhood board and is involved in the city master planning efforts. Yuen has held positions in over a dozen community organizations in Chinatown.

Yuen said that it is a very gratifying feeling to be recognized by the State legislature, but stresses that he is only the tip of the iceberg.

"It's an accumulation of teamwork and a lot of people who have been involved with the project that I have been involved," said Yuen. "This recognition represents their efforts also."

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.