Ikawa receives Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

The inaugural Eagle Ohana Luncheon celebrated 67 Big Island Eagle Scouts from the classes of 2014-16 to a sold-out crowd of parents and supporters July 16 at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center Sky Garden.

The inaugural Eagle Ohana Luncheon celebrated 67 Big Island Eagle Scouts from the classes of 2014-16 to a sold-out crowd of parents and supporters July 16 at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center Sky Garden.

Allan Ikawa, founder and CEO of Big Island Candies, was awarded with the nationally recognized Distinguished Eagle Scout Award 2016. It is the National Eagle Scout Association’s highest service award given to an Eagle Scout for distinguished service in his profession and to his community for a period of at least 25 years after attaining the level of Eagle Scout.

“I am humbled by this recognition from the national Boy Scouts of America,” Ikawa said. “Scouting was part of growing up in Hilo. By working hard to attain the rank of Eagle, I learned important lessons such as perseverance which served me well as an entrepreneur.”

Herbert Watanabe, state Department of Education educator and administrator, was honored with a National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. Robert Fujimoto, retired CEO and president of HPM Building Supply, was awarded the Council Alumnus of the Year award.

“Prepared. For Life.” is a mission of Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America to instill values in each boy and girl in the program so they can grow to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders in their community and of the world. Aloha Council was established in Hawaii in 1910 and serves 12,000 young people and more than 4,000 volunteers on the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa.

For more information about Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America, visit www.ScoutingHawaii.org.