Four Hawaii drivers are among 1,613 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.
The four Hawaii drivers are Matthew Kim of Haleiwa and three in the Kona area of Hawaii island — Glen Murakai of Kamuela, Brian Taketa of Kealakekua and Myron Yamaguchi of Holualoa.
There are 11 active Circle of Honor drivers in Hawaii with a combined 296 years of accident-free driving. Dean Agustin of Lihue and Malcolm Toyama of Honolulu are Hawaii’s senior-most safe drivers, with 31 years of accident-free driving. There are 177 total UPS drivers in Hawaii.
Globally, 8,703 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they’ve racked up more than 245,000 years and more than 5.3 billion safe miles during their careers. That’s enough miles to travel to Mars and back 19 times.
“My thanks go to all of them for their dedication and focus and for the countless lives they’ve saved,” said Tom Cuce, president of the UPS South California District. “Their attention to detail has kept them safe and has helped improve public safety.”
Globally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Thomas Camp of Livonia, Mich., with 53 years of driving without an accident. Ronald McKnight of Bronx, N.Y., is next in line with 47 years of safe driving. Sixty-six others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.
Founded in 1907, UPS issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing safe drivers in 1923. In 1928, UPS recognized its first five-year safe driver, Ray McCue, with UPS founder Jim Casey presenting him a gold-and-platinum watch. UPS formally established its safe driving honor program in 1928.