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Patti Lyons Has Been Selected as One of Living Treasures of Hawaii

The Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii has selected Patti J. Lyons as one of the Year 2010 Living Treasures of Hawaii.

“This honor and recognition is most appropriate in view of the high quality experiences, background and contributions made by Ms. Lyons,” said Bishop Thomas R. Okano of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

Patti Lyons receiving the award from Bishop Thomas R. Okano

“Patti Lyons’ life contributions to the children and families of Hawaii personify the very essence of value-based leadership,” said Marian Turney who nominated Patti for this award. “Her vision and hope for a better tomorrow, even for those with little hope, combined with her sheer determination and courage to build a sense of community, achieved what many of us often dream about and dare to hope for – the betterment of Hawaii’s and the world’s children. She is indeed a living treasure.”

The 2010 Living Treasures of Hawaii were honored at the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Legislative Assembly Aloha Luncheon on February 13, 2010 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel Ballroom.

Patti Lyons with CF Acting CEO, San Vuong and CFPB Director for Administration, Annette Chanco

Patti Lyons greeted by Richard Klarberg, President & CEO of Council on Accreditation

Patti Lyons with a ton of leis

A smile is worth a thousand words

About Living Treasures of Hawai’i

Living Treasure of Hawaii started in 1976 was modeled after the Living National Treasure of Japan. Over 100 Living Treasures have been selected for the program which started 33 years ago.

The Living Treasures of Hawai’i program was created by the Buddhist temple Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai’i to honor residents of Hawaii. The criteria for selection are: “Designee[s] must demonstrate continuous growth in his or her field; Living Treasure[s] must have made significant contributions toward a more humane and fraternal society (this perhaps is the most important criteria); and they must have shown an on-going striving for excellence and a high level of accomplishment.” Honorees are nominated by members of the general public by August 1 of each year, and chosen by a committee designated by the temple.

Former Bishop Chikai Yosemori said, honorees have “strengthened the fabric of our existence in this world with their uncompromising dedication to what is good, real, and true.”

According to Scott Stone, author of, Living Treasures of Hawai’i,”Honorees are driven not by a need to be recognized, but by a need to be useful. They seem to share the idea that if they have the ability to make a contribution, they have the responsibility to do so.”