{"id":228913,"date":"2026-02-02T14:57:54","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T00:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=228913"},"modified":"2026-02-02T15:37:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T01:37:59","slug":"robert-pearson-walt-disney-legacy-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/02\/robert-pearson-walt-disney-legacy-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Disney bestows ‘highest honor’ to Kapiʻolani CC<\/abbr> alumnus"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Pearson
Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> alumnus Robbie Pearson earned Disney\u2019s highest honor—the Walt Disney Legacy Award.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you are visiting a Disney park and spot a cast member wearing a blue name tag, you have found someone special. That distinctive marker signifies the Walt Disney Legacy Award<\/a>, the highest honor bestowed upon Disney employees. Kapiʻolani<\/span> Community College Hospitality and Tourism [HOST<\/abbr>] alumnus Robert “Robbie” Pearson recently joined these elite ranks, a distinction achieved by only about 1% of cast members across the company.<\/p>\n

\"Pearson<\/p>\n

Pearson, who graduated from Kealakehe High School before earning two associate degrees from Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> in 2016, began his Disney journey making Dole Whips in Disney World\u2019s Adventureland during a college internship. Today, he serves as a Magic Kingdom\u2019s west-side coordinator of sales for merchandise.<\/p>\n

Foundation at Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr><\/h2>\n

Pearson credits the personalized attention he received from the HOST<\/abbr> faculty at Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> for his professional growth.<\/p>\n

“Having a staff that has worked in the industry was something that I really respected and admired,” Pearson said. “They also were always willing to support my education and invest in my future. Their foundation and guidance was something that has stuck with me throughout my career in hospitality.”<\/p>\n

\"people
When Pearson (in purple in front) was a Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> student, he dressed as Austin Powers for a fundraiser.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Pearson is now recognized for his strategic mindset at the Magic Kingdom, his former professors remember a student who was simply happy to help—even if it meant wearing a purple velvet suit.<\/p>\n

“He was the first to volunteer for any project,” said Professor Dave Evans, who chairs the HOST<\/abbr> Department. During a 1960s-themed department fundraiser, Evans asked Pearson to appear as the character Austin Powers.<\/p>\n

“Always the good sport, he agreed and even bought his own wig. All night long he was in character giving our guests a good chuckle.”<\/p>\n

‘Insanely proud’<\/h2>\n

The Legacy Award recognizes individuals who embody the company\u2019s core values: to dream, create and inspire. Colleagues describe Pearson as a “big-picture thinking cast member” with a “strategic mindset.” One peer noted, “Robbie is the hardest working cast member I’ve ever met,” citing his commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n

While the Walt Disney Legacy Award included a framed plaque and a recognition ceremony, Pearson said getting to wear the signature blue name tag “almost feels like a magical secret society” for those who understand its significance in the park.
\nEvans added, “The recognition of earning the Walt Disney Legacy Award is so well deserved, and all of us faculty members in the Hospitality and Tourism Department are insanely proud of him!”<\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Dole Whips to Disney\u2019s elite ranks: Kapiʻolani<\/span> CC<\/abbr> graduate earns award.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":228928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[90,679,1613,63,271,71,319],"class_list":["post-228913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","tag-alumni","tag-alumni-recognition","tag-hospitality-and-tourism","tag-kapiolani-community-college","tag-uh-alumni-association","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-uh-foundation","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t