HONOLULU – Denis Isono, Chairman and President of the Central Pacific Bank Foundation, is the 2019 recipient of the Charlie Ushijima Award, presented to an outstanding volunteer for dedicated and unselfish service to the University of Hawai'i Athletics Department.
 
Isono received his award during halftime of the UH men's basketball game, Feb. 28.
 
Along with being an avid and long-time UH sports fan and supporter, Isono has served as the Chairman of the Board of Ahahui Koa Anuenue (AKA) since 2017. He has led the reshaping of the organization and increased engagement of board members with the goal of building a solid foundation for AKA's continued growth and support of UH's student-athletes.
 
Isono also serves on the executive committees for the SoFi Hawai'i Bowl and Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic and many other community organizations.
 
Originally entitled the Rainbow Service Award, the Ushijima Award was later re-named after its first recipient, the late Charlie Ushijima who was responsible for the building of the first on-campus baseball stadium. In addition he fulfilled countless hours of volunteer work as President of the UH booster club for baseball.