Former teacher and Kamehameha Schools – Hawai’i Campus  Athletic Director Cornelia “Hoku” Haliniak was among seven individuals recognized with the Hank Numer Anti-Hazing Hero Award, which recognizes those who have demonstrated courage and leadership by standing up against hazing in their organizations and on their campuses.

The award is sponsored by Favor & Company and named in honor of Hank Nuwer, a long-time anti-hazing journalist and the author of four books and a blog on the subject.

Haliniak, who is the first Native Hawaiian to ever receive this award, has been an active athletic administrator and has served on the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Student Services Committee. According to the nominator, her work in hazing prevention is historic. For the past decade, she has coordinated hazing prevention speakers to come to her state not just for her school, but for dozens of high schools on each island.

Photo credit: Hazing Prevention Network