Video by Tim O Bryan, Voice of Stephanie Salazar

HILO, Hawaii – Two remarkable people were honored by the YWCA of Hawaii Island on Wednesday.

Local real estate executive Sharon Scheele and culinary specialist Audrey Wilson were named the 2014 Remarkable People, and celebrated at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

Radio news reporter Sherry Bracken served as MC.

“The YWCA is proud to pay tribute to these remarkable women for their significant achievements,” said CEO of YWCA Hawaii Island, Kathleen McGilvray, in a media release. “Sharon and Audrey have been trailblazers in their respective fields and in their commitment to helping women, children and the community.”

Here is an extended look at what these two remarkable ladies had to say during the event.

Sharon Scheele

Scheele has lived in Hilo since 1969. She was born in Oklahoma, raised in El Paso, Texas and lived in Los Angeles, Portland and Honolulu. Since 1972, she’s been involved in real estate; she and husband Al Inoue organized Inoue Hawaii Realty Corporation in 1978 and together, they led a team that converted the Hilo Lagoon Hotel into a residential/commercial condominium known as The Hilo Lagoon Centre. Scheele has long served the Hawaii Island community. She was the first woman president of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, president of the Zonta Club of Hilo, and was instrumental in building the Chamber’s business scholarship funds for the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College. She is current president of the Board of Junior Achievement of Hawaii Island. She has served on numerous community boards.YWCA Hawaii Island media release

Audrey Wilson

Wilson was born and raised in Hilo. She retired as Cold Drink Manager from Coca Cola Bottling Company in Hilo and transformed her lifelong passion for food into a new vocation, including a catering business, AJ and Sons, with her son, Dean. Wilson headlines the weekly Let’s Talk About Food column in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, is a guest contributor to the Food Network Magazine and has published three cookbooks. She is a director of Big Island Wellness Solutions and launched a culinary career starter program at Big Island Substance Abuse Council. She is a culinary arts instructor at Hawaii Community College and for the Junior Chefs program at E.B. DeSilva Elementary School. Wilson was President of Hawaii Island United Way. She is co-owner and baker for AJ’s Volcano Cottage and Studio.YWCA Hawaii Island media release