Scot of the Year: Since 1988, The Caledonian Society has presented an annual Scot of the Year award at the Burns Dinner. We recognize a person of Scottish descent in Hawaii, who has made contributions to the community and Society.

The Selection Committee reviews nominations for Scot of the Year based on the following criteria:
-nominees need not be Scots, but must be strongly Scots at heart;
-they should have made significant contributions to the community where they reside in Hawaii;
-they should have made recognized contributions to the Scottish Community in Hawaii;
-they should show pride in their Scottish heritage; and/or
-they should have made significant contributions to the Caledonian Society of Hawaii.

2009 Scot(s) of the Year

Doug Herring, Hardy Spoehr, and Harold (Sandy) McKeen - who are honored for work to establish Tartan Day in Hawaii and to recognize the Hawaii Tartan.

Prior Scots of the Year:

1988 Donald MacGregor
1989 Ramsay
1990 Douglas Gibb
1991 Roderick McPhee
1992 Alex Anderson
1993 John D. & Frances Holt
1994 Lawrence Coleman
1995 Alison Kay
1996 Terence Knapp
1997 Marguerite Roach
1998 Alexander Pratt
1999 Kalani Brady
2000 Lillian Cunningham
2001 Dick Scott Clack
2002 Rhoda Hackler
2003 Helen & Bill Wynn
2004 Heather MacGregor
2005 Bruce McEwan
2006 Neil Abercrombie
2007 Donald Munro
2008 Donald P. McDiarmid, Jr.

In 2007, the Caledonian Society decided to choose a profession or field and honor a person of Scottish descent who has excelled in their chosen field. This award was given the name of the White Heather Award, as the white heather is rare and special.

The 2009 White Heather Award was given to Burl Burlingame, for his outstanding work in the field of journalism.

2009 White Heather Awardee
Burl Burlingame

Prior White Heather Awardees:

Year
2007
2008 Field
Legal
Education Awardee(s)
Samuel King, US Federal Judge
David and Wendie McClain