PMI HONOLULU HAWAII CHAPTER AWARDS ANNOUNCED FOR 2020 PROJECT OF THE YEAR AND PROJECT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

By Ben Yuan, PMP, Vice President of PMI Honolulu Hawaii Chapter

Project Management Institute (PMI) Honolulu Hawaii Chapter presented its annual awards for Project of the Year and Project Manager of the Year at its 2020 Virtual Annual Dinner on November 13, 2020. The award for Project of the Year went to Hawaiian Airlines’ submission for their Main Cabin Basic (MCB) Program.  The project leader for Main Cabin Basic (MCB), Melissa LeFever, also took first place for the Project Manager of the Year category.

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

PMI Honolulu’s “Project of the Year” is awarded to the Hawaii project manager whose exemplary project management practices and team leadership helped overcome obstacles and ensure project success.

The criteria focused on a common-sense understanding of an impressive project:

• A significant mission
• Well-coordinated efforts
• Significant challenges overcome
• Best practices employed
• Faithful achievement of anticipated scope, schedule, and cost

Winner: Hawaiian Airlines, Main Cabin Basic (MCB) Program - Melissa LeFever

1st Runner up: Hawaiian Airlines, COVID-19 Response & Recovery – Melissa LeFever

2nd Runner up: Servco, Roadster Express Storefront Implementation – Stephanie Lum

Finalist: Hawaiian Electric, West Loch Solar Project – Jack Shriver

Judging of all candidates was done completely outside the local chapter by PMI chapter leaders and senior practitioners from around the world.  These international judges conducted a structured evaluation process to select the finalists and ultimate winners of the Project of the Year award.

2020 Project of the Year winner:  Hawaiian Airlines, Main Cabin Basic (MCB) Program

In late 2017, Hawaiian Airlines set a course to join the ranks of other leading carriers by offering its own Basic Economy product known as Main Cabin Basic (MCB). This new offering necessitated a strategic business shift to Branded Fares, which is the branding of bundled ala carte services so guests can easily choose the features and services they value. Hawaiian Airlines’ MCB fares provide an option for guests who choose to forgo certain travel services in favor of our lowest fare available combined with Hawaiian Airlines’ award-winning onboard hospitality.

View the Main Cabin Basic Presentation here

Pictured above (from left to right): Hawaiian Airlines Teammates Jaymie Nishimura, Lynn Benjauthrit, Russ Morgan,Chuck Coleman, Melissa LeFever, Tina Ahia, and Aaron Sacharski.

2020 Project of the Year Runner Up:  Hawaiian Airlines, COVID-19 Response & Recovery – Melissa LeFever

The COVID-19 Response and Recovery Program was stood up to support executive decision-making and oversee a broad range of projects to meet the company’s evolving needs amidst increasing travel bans, new safety protocols, and uncertainties about COVID-19’s effect on the company. The unprecedented crisis necessitated wide-spanning changes and a transition to a “New Normal” operating model. With the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Program, Hawaiian Airlines was able to keep our workforce and guests safe, manage large-scale changes, and reduce operating costs while instilling company values of Mālama (care), Ho‘okipa (hospitality), Lōkahi (collaboration), and Po‘okela (excellence).

View the COVID-19 Response and Recovery here

 

PROJECT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

“Project Manager of the Year” is awarded to the local project manager who best represents the chapter's dedication to outstanding performance, effective leadership, advancement of the profession, and project best practices.

Winner: Hawaiian Airlines, Melissa LeFever

1st Runner up: Hawaiian Electric, Grant Imamura

2nd Runner up: Hertaus Consulting, Benjamin Hertaus

Finalist: Native Hawaiian Institute for Technology and Business, Brandon Ancheta

Picture above: Grant Imamura, Benjamin Hertaus, Melissa LeFever, Brandon Ancheta

This year’s PMI HNL awards committee consisted of Nikki Yuen (Committee Lead), Neil Ahearn and Ben Yuan.

• For more information and photos, visit our 2020 Awards page

Questions or inquiries about the awards and/or judging criteria may be directed to Professional Development Director.