“We are thrilled to honor Wally Yonamine with this year’s Noblesse Oblige Award for Service,” said MaryknollSchool president Michael Baker in a news release. “When selecting this year’s Kekumano honoree, we could not overlook how much Wally Yonamine has devoted to Hawaii, especially through educational opportunities for children.”

Recognized as one of Hawaii’s finest athletes, Maui-born Yonamine’s contributions go beyond his glory days with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants baseball team to being a coach, an educator, and an international good-will ambassador.

Yonamine was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. In 1998, the Japanese government awarded him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, the first professional athlete to receive the honor, for his efforts in strengthening Japan and Hawaii relations.

The Wally Yonamine Foundation sponsors the Hawaii High School Athletic Association’s Annual Baseball Tournament and provides college scholarships to scholar-athletes.

The Noblesse Oblige Award for Service was created in 1998 to honor the late Msgr. Charles A Kekumano. Past honorees include Dr. Livingston M.F. Wong, James H. Gahler, Irmgard Farden Aluli, Cha and Jack Thompson, Nina Kealiiwahamana Rapozo, Dr. Jorge Camara, Governor George Ariyoshi and Dr. Gabriel Wai Chiu Ma.

The Kekumano scholarship is awarded to a returning Maryknoll student entering his or her junior or senior year who demonstrates excellence inside and outside the classroom.

Maryknoll student Amas is an active member of the National Honor Society, campus ministry and the Cheer/Dance Squad, as well as the nationally acclaimed Drill Team Hawaii. She is the daughter of Jeffery and Mona Amas.

The annual dinner has become a premier event for MaryknollSchool, raising nearly $1 million for the scholarship fund. For information, call 952-7310.