Department of Water Supply pipefitter Norris Gonsalves has been honored as the 2007 County of Hawai'i Employee of the Year.

Gonsalves has had perfect work attendance for three years, and his supervisors cited his willingness to work all hours of the night without complaint during such emergencies as the October 2006 earthquake and the Waimea drought earlier this year.

Gonsalves is a graduate of Honoka'a High School, and received an associate degree in automotive repair at Hawai'i Community College in Hilo.

He has participated in community activities that include volunteering at Honoka'a Church to install a graveyard pipeline, and donating time and equipment after the 2006 earthquake to help farmers build backup irrigation systems after the quake blocked the flow from the Upper Hamakua Ditch.