Soldiers, family and friends of the 29th Infantry Brigade participated in the Hawaii National Guard "Freedom Salute Ceremony" at Waiakea High School Gym. The ceremony recognized the commitment and sacrifice of guard members and their families during the deployment to the Middle East in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Hamakua Resident and Taro Task Force member Jim Cain speaks to the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus to share the findings of the statewide task force which visited taro growing areas around the Hawaii and met with taro farmers regarding the needs and concerns of the industry.
Senators and officers of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Student Senate met with me to discuss the issues and concerns of the students of UHH. The primary goal of the collective student leadership was to insure the funding for a new Hawaii Language Building on the UH-Hilo Campus.
Students from Hawaii Community College met with me to discuss issues of concern to the student body at HCC. Their top priority is extension of capital improvement funds appropriated by the legislature to Hawaii Community College Manono Campus as well as funds that have been designated for the development of the new West Hawaii Campus at Palamanui. The funds are currently scheduled to lapse in June, 2010 because they have not yet been released by the Governor.
Pomp and Circumstance were not the order of the day as the 2010 Legislature opened today. It was a very subdued mood with most capitol regulars staying away following warnings by house and senate leaders that this would not be business as usual as the legislature went straight to work addressing the many issues and concerns facing the state.
Among the Christmas presents that I received this year was a tee-shirt bring a specific message and a special request that I wear the shirt at the capitol. The message was loud and clear that the school furloughs would have a detrimental impact on the students in our public schools and that eventually we would all pay the price for the want of saving a few dollars.
The North Hawaii Education and Research Center continues to expand as construction begins on Phase 2-B which will enclose the bottom floor of the Phase 2 building, increase parking below the Phase 2 structure and provide for a pavilion building on the Hilo side of the expanding complex.
The House Finance Committee become employer of Royalty when session Researcher Megan Chun become 2nd Princess at the 61st Narcissus Pageant and Festival held at the historic Hawaii Theatre this past weekend. Pictured with Megan is Chief Researcher Randall Hiyoto and fellow session staff.
The Hamakua Elder Care Partners have been meeting in Honoka'a for the past several years as they planned for the ability to expand the services available to the senior citizens and other under served residents of the Hamakua area. Recently, a meeting was held in Hilo with representatives from a variety of private non-profit and governmental agencies who are involved in the delivery of these services to the community with the goal of identifying those who would be interested in participating in the creation of a community outreach center in Honoka'a.
Kaiwiki Chapel officially opened on January 10, 1910, as an outreach chapel for Central Christian Church to serve the communities of Kaiwiki, Ola‘a, Amauulu and Honomu. Located on Kaiwiki Road just outside of Hilo, the Chapel celebrates it's 100 anniversary with a short program featuring words of prayer and a history of the construction by Mildred Yamamoto. This was followed by refreshments and fellowship coordinated by the Kaiwiki Community Association.
