The Hawai'i chapter of the Public Relations Society of America on July 16 will present its annual Koa Anvil Awards for the state's public relations, communications and marketing professionals.

The awards recognize outstanding public relations programs and aim to encourage improved public relations performance and techniques.

In addition to awards for public relations campaigns and tactics, individual awards will be presented to four outstanding professionals for their contributions to the industry and PRSA Hawaii.

Nancy Daniels, director of Public Relations for Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises Group, will receive the Gregg W. Perry Public Relations Professional of the Year award.

"The award honors an exemplary practitioner, who during a distinguished career, has made a major contribution to the profession and has applied public relations techniques in a professional manner to achieve meaningful objectives," the PRSA said in a news release.

Michael Ni, account executive at McNeil Wilson Communications, will receive the 2009 Hokupa'a Award, also known as the Young PR Professional of the Year award, which is presented to an outstanding practitioner with less than five years of experience. Ni serves as the chapter's treasurer and also headed the Koa Anvil Awards committee for two years.

Ruth Ann Becker, president of Becker Communications Inc., will receive the President's Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions to the success of the chapter and the profession.

"In addition to her many outstanding professional accomplishments, Becker is being honored for her generous support of her staff's involvement in PRSA and her mentorship of Hawai'i's talented local PRSSA students," according to the release.

Lou Torraca will be presented with PRSA Hawaii's highest recognition, the Hall of Honor Award. The award recognizes those with distinguished and exemplary careers in public relations who have used the profession to help create understanding between the community and organizations or companies they represented.

A retired Air Force colonel, Torraca's more than 40-year career in public relations included positions with the U.S. Pacific Command, Bishop Museum and the Department of Education.