Local entrepreneur Craig McCaw recently accepted his 1998 PAWS Humanitarian of the Year award from PAWS Executive Director Kathy Kelly.

McCaw had been selected based on his work as chairman of the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation.

"Craig McCaw believed in the return of Keiko to his original habitat long before others did," said PAWS Executive Director Kathy Kelly.

Upon accepting the award, McCaw chatted with Kelly about Keiko’s progress in his new Icelandic home. "We’re only halfway there," said McCaw, who went on to explain that Keiko still needs to prove himself able to survive outside of his sea pen.

McCaw is the chairman of Eagle River LLC, and has made a fortune over the past few years with his involvement in the cellular and satellite industries.

Several years ago he quietly and anonymously donated significant funds to help establish the Free Willy/Keiko Foundation. After his anonymous role became known, McCaw took a more public role in the successful effort to bring Keiko back to his home waters off Iceland.