HONOLULU – Sidney Hamada, President of Flora-Dec Sales, Inc., Hawai'i's largest source for floral and decorative supplies, is the recipient of the 2020 Charlie Ushijima Award.
 
Hamada has selflessly given his support to the University of Hawai'i men's basketball program and its student-athletes for over 20 years. He led a committee of volunteers who coordinated an annual golf tournament fundraiser during the tenures of head Coaches Riley Wallace and Bob Nash and more recently has headed the annual Tip-off fundraiser for head coach Eran Ganot, which now nets $150,000 each year. Under Hamada's leadership, the committee, which meets weekly for months preceding the event, has helped raise funds directly to support men's basketball student-athletes in the areas of: cost of attendance, summer school tuition, and food and nutrition program. 
 
Hamada also serves on the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Executive Committee; has been an active member and volunteer leader with the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce since 1992 working on various projects and fundraisers; and served on the Mid Pacific Institute Board of Trustees as part of his broader service to our community. He has been a season ticket supporter of the Men's Basketball program for a number of years in addition to attending football, baseball and other UH sports regularly.
 
"Sidney is truly a UH fan who has selflessly affected the lives of our student-athletes tremendously through his philanthropic efforts," Athletics Director David Matlin said. "Our basketball program through the years truly would not be what it is without his efforts."