Zonta Club of Hilo to honor Cabatu, Kobayashi-Kuali‘i with Rose Award

Elena Cabatu and Breeani Kobayashi-Kuali‘i are this year’s Rose Award of Excellence recipients.

They will be honored by Zonta Club of Hilo during a dinner starting at 5 p.m. March 9 at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel in the Moku‘ola Ballroom. There will be a no-host cocktail hour and silent auction followed by dinner and the awards program.

Presented in March, the award ceremony coincides with International Women’s Day.

“The Rose Award recognizes women in our community who have made a significant impact on the lives of others through their employment, volunteer activities and associations.” said Zonta Club of Hilo President Laurie Higashi in announcing the awards and upcoming dinner. “In 2026, we are thrilled to honor two outstanding female leaders.”

Cabatu was born and raised in Hilo. She has built a career rooted in service, advocacy and connection to community.

She leads communication strategy, government relations and community engagement as director of marketing, legislative and public affairs at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Cabatu advocates for healthcare access, public health initiatives and funding to strengthen Hawaiʻi Island’s hospitals and clinics.

Kobayashi-Kualiʻi is a Hawaiʻi Island leader, business owner and community advocate whose work bridges hospitality, health, education and sustainability.

She is general manager of SCP Hilo Hotel and president of Hawai‘i Rise Foundation, among having other roles.

Kobayashi-Kualiʻi dedicated her career for the past 15 years to empowering local families, uplifting vulnerable communities and creating spaces where Hawaiʻi’s people can thrive.

The award dinner is also a fundraiser for the Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation, which offers:

• Scholarships and awards for young women.
• A conference on confidence-building for middle school girls.
• Pay-it-Forward micro-grants to local women-owned businesses.
• Women’s and girls’ advocacy and more.

Cost to attend is $125 per person; $50 of which is tax deductible. Reserved tables of eight are available for $2,000 gold sponsors (VIP seating) and $1,500 mahogany sponsors.

Tickets and sponsor tables are available online. Checks can be mailed to Zonta Club of Hilo Foundation, P.O. Box 1915, Hilo, HI 96721-1915.

Zonta Club of Hilo is a member of Zonta International. Its mission is to build a better world for women and girls.

Visit the Zonta Club of Hilo website or email to foundation@zontahilo.org for additional information or with any questions.