More than a service, it’s a lifestyle
by Michael Choe | Aug. 15, 2019
Every year our employees contribute thousands of volunteer hours, and the Hawaiian Electric Companies award more than $1 million in corporate donations to benefit the communities we serve. So many of our employees donate their time to volunteer for projects and events after work and on weekends. Among them is Hawaiian Electric Generation Services Manager Lane Hiramoto, whose passion and commitment to volunteerism inspires others around him.
Anyone who knows Lane well or works for him would say that he is a great role model and mentor. Barney Choy, one of Lane’s employees and a Hawaiian Electric environmental compliance supervisor, shares: “If I told Lane that I have a volleyball fundraiser event on the weekend, he’s the type of guy that would just show up to help volunteer and support my efforts. Lane is the kind of person that just likes helping others. He unconditionally keeps on giving. This is in Lane’s DNA.”
Lane is particularly passionate about mentoring young aspiring engineers and shaping leaders of the next generation. He often provides tours and presentations at Waiau Power Plant throughout the year for students from Leeward Community College and University of Hawaii. “When he shares his knowledge with these students, his face lights up knowing that he’s making a difference,” Choy said.
Almost four years ago, shortly after the company’s maintenance superintendent left, Lane took on the responsibility of managing and coordinating the power and lighting setup at all company-related events where it was needed. Lane offered to alleviate the workload for the incoming superintendent and became the lead coordinator. This involved recruiting employees within the Power Supply division and across Hawaiian Electric for various volunteer events. Not only would Lane coordinate and recruit for the events, he’d be at most of them to ensure that tasks were completed successfully, and that all volunteers had a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Lane’s colleagues describe him as dependable, highly adaptable, and a natural leader. He never hesitates to make time to help others or share information despite having his hands full with work, family and his own personal volunteer activities. During a recent event, the Queen’s Medical Center — West’s ILLUMINATE Twilight Walk, volunteers from Hawaiian Electric’s Power Supply division helped with setting up equipment to provide power for the stage and entertainment. They installed equipment to provide lighting for the tents and the large parking lot near Kapolei Lofts, monitored equipment during the event, and helped break down and remove equipment once the event ended.
At these events, Lane makes sure that there is enough manpower and resources to efficiently complete tasks. Kurt Tsue, Hawaiian Electric manager of community relations, said that Lane regularly hits more than 20,000 steps on his step counter on event days since he’s busy helping everyone, never missing a detail and covering all the bases. “Lane will retighten someone else’s banner, help them unload, set up or whatever else they may need. It may not seem like much to him, but it makes a big difference to the people he is helping. It also reflects positively on Hawaiian Electric,” Tsue said.
Whether he’s picking up trash near the bike path at our Waiau Power Plant or setting up a generator for the annual Waianae Sunset on the Beach, you can always find Lane hard at work with a smile on his face. Lane truly sets the bar when it comes to helping others. We may not be able to complete 20,000 steps like he does while volunteering, but we can all follow in his footsteps.
Michael Choe is a digital communications and social media specialist at Hawaiian Electric Company.
