College To Recognize Ewa Resident As Distinguished Alumnus

Honolulu Community College will honor the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters next month and four distinguished alumni for their professional achievements and contributions to the community.

Among the four honorees is Ewa resident Richard “Scotty” Rhode, who will be recognized as the 2014 Outstanding Community Partner. He received his associate degree from the college’s fire and environmental emergency response program in 1982.

Rhode also earned his undergraduate degree in fire administration from Suffolk University.

He served in the Department of Defense and Emergency Services at the Federal Fire Department Hawaii for 28 years, and was Command Fire Chief for Sasebo, Japan. After coordinating relief efforts in support of multiple fuel tank fires that resulted from an earthquake in northern Japan, Rhode received the Superior Service Medal – the second highest civilian award.

Rhode was the first Hawaii state coordinator for the National Fire Academy Alumni Association and also was nominated in 1998 for the U.S. Navy Civilian Firefighter of the Year.

Currently, he is an assistant professor for Honolulu CC’s Fire and Environmental Emergency Services Program.

In his spare time, Rhode serves as the president of Bluegrass Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to acoustic and American roots music.

The awards dinner is scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at Harbor View Court above Nico’s at Pier 38.

The event will be hosted by radio personality Kathy with a K and includes a silent auction and live entertainment. All proceeds from the auction will support the Honolulu Community College General Scholarship Endowment Fund.

For tickets and more information, visit uhfoundation.org/celebrate!2014 or call 845-9429.