KONA, HAWAII – The recently opened Keahuolu Courthouse in West Hawaiʻi was formally blessed and the art work dedicated Tuesday morning under sunny Kona skies before 300 people. Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald named the Self-Help Center in the new courthouse after Third Circuit Chief Judge Ibarra (ret.). From left, Chief Justice Recktenwald, Chief Judge Ibarra (ret.), Neal Tanaka, Su Ibarra, Susan Tanaka, Ronson Ibarra, and Megan Moniz. Children are Avery and Bryce Tanaka The courthouse, which opened to the public on September 3, replaced courthouses previously located in three separate buildings. The name Keahuolu honors the ahupuaa in which it is located. Third Circuit Chief Judge Greg K. Nakamura was the emcee for the event that featured remarks by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, Gov. David Y. Ige, Hawaii Island legislators Rep. Nicole E. Lowen, and Sen. Dru Mamo Kanuha, Third Circuit Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra (ret.), and Jonathan Johnson, executive director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. “Today’s celebration represents a significant milestone for West Hawaii. This building will provide a safe, secure, and modern place where people can come together to obtain justice,” said Chief Justice Recktenwald. “It has been a long time coming, but it has been worth the wait. I have been told that discussions about the need for a courthouse for Kona have been underway in one form or another for more than 30 years. Thanks to everyone’s hard work and commitment, I am proud to say this project was completed on time and on budget,” he added. The Chief Justice thanked retired Chief Judge barra, current Chief Judge Nakamura, Lester Oshiro, Dawn West, Cheryl Salmo, Lani Ng, the entire Third Circuit team, Rod Maile, and Joanne Krippaehne. He also expressed deep appreciation to Gov. David Ige and Lt. Gov. Josh Green; the Hawaiʻi Island legislative delegation; Senate and House leadership and the Ways and Means and Finance committees; Department of Accounting and General Services; Hawaii County Council; Rider Levette Bucknall; AHL; Nan, Inc.; and SSFM. The West Hawaii Bar Association, Hawaii County Bar Association, and the Hawaii State Bar Association were also recognized for their unwavering support as the Judiciary sought funding for the courthouse. “The days of holding court in the ‘old hospital’ or the ‘old farm and garden shop’ remain fond memories, but it is time to move forward,” the Chief Justice said. “Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this new Keahuolu Courthouse a reality, we will be able to provide justice to this community for years to come in a place we can all rightfully be proud of.” Jonathan Johnson introduced artists Matthew Salenger and Jerry Vasconcellos. According to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Salenger’s sculpture, Creating Kamaaina, “explores our connection to place.” Vasconcellos’ sculpture, Hoo Pohaku, was created using stone from the courthouse construction site. “It is an affirmation to stand firm in the light of our truths,” according the foundation. These works of art were produced as part of the stateʻs Art in Public Places Program, which was established to enhance the environmental quality of public buildings and spaces. Guests were entertained by Kaulana Na Pua O Liliuokalani under the direction of Kumu Hula Bernadette Pelena Keeling. Kahu Danny Akaka, Jr., and his daughter, Kalei, bless the Creating Kamaʻāaina sculpture by Matthew Salenger. Just before Kahu Danny Akaka, Jr. and his daughter, Kalei, performed the blessing ceremonies, Chief Justice Recktenwald made a surprise presentation to recently retired Chief Judge Ibarra, naming the Self-Help Center in his honor. Judge Ibarra was a tireless advocate for those who needed help with civil matters, but could not afford an attorney. He was pivotal in launching the original Kona Self-Help Desk in 2013. The plaques reads, in part, “Under Chief Judge Ibarra’s vision and leadership, the Third Circuit significantly expanded access to justice for all. This Self-Help Center is named in his honor.” The 140,000-square-foot Keahuolu Courthouse sits on 10 acres of land. It has five courtrooms, as well as rooms for grand jurors and regular jurors; Driverʻs Education Office; Juvenile and Adult Client Services; Sheriffʻs operations; and administrative offices. There are 292 parking stalls for court visitors. The facility cost $95.8 million for construction, furniture, fixtures, and equipment. AHL was the architect and Nan Inc. the general contractor. Celebrating the blessing and dedication of the Keahuolu Courthouse in West Hawaii are, from left, Supreme Court Associate Justice Michael Wilson, Judge Wendy DeWeese, Judge Darien Ching Nagata, Judge Mahilani Hiatt, Judge Kanani Laubach, Gov. David Ige, Chief Judge Ronald Ibarra (ret.), Judge Henry Nakamoto, Kahu Danny Akaka, Jr., Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Chief Judge Greg Nakamura, Associate Justice Paula Nakayama, and Judge Margaret Masunaga. #KeahuoluCourthouse #Keahuolu #GregNakamura #MarkRecktenwald #DavidIge #NicoleLowen #DruKanuha #RonaldIbarra #JonathanJohnson #HISAM #WestHawaii #MatthewSalenger #JerryVasconcellos #StateFoundationonCultureAndArts #CreatingKamaaina #KaulanaNaPuaOLiliuokalani #BernadetteKeeling #JoshGreen #RiderBucknall #RodMaile #JoanneKrippaehne

Hawaii Attorney General Files Motion to Protect $3.6 Billion in Military Construction Funds from Being Diverted for Rejected Border Wall Construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border took place last month near Tijuana, Mexico. PHOTO: SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors, as part of a multistate coalition, filed a motion for partial summary judgment to block the Trump Administration from unilaterally and unlawfully diverting $3.6 billion in military construction funds toward construction of a border wall. The funds in question were appropriated by Congress for specific military construction projects, not a border wall. Congress has rejected multiple attempts to fund the border wall through budget appropriations, and has twice passed resolutions – in March 2019 and again in September 2019 – terminating President Trump’s false national emergency declaration. The states ask the court to enjoin the Trump Administration from unlawfully diverting the funding on the basis that it is unlawful and unconstitutional and would cause the states irreparable harm by: damaging the environments of California and New Mexico where the border barriers would be built; eliminating $493 million for military construction projects within the states’ jurisdictions resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of tax revenue; and by increasing risks to the health and safety of both military personnel and surrounding communities. “ This diversion violates the separation of powers that is fundamental to our democracy,” said Attorney General Connors. “This illegal act has a direct impact on military facilities at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, and, therefore a direct impact on the financial health of our state.” President Trump is unlawfully attempting to divert a total of $3.6 billion from over 120 military construction projects to build 11 sections of border fencing, including seven in California and New Mexico located on federal, state, and private lands. On September 3, 2019, the Secretary of Defense identified half of the funds, $1.8 billion, to divert from 60 domestic military construction projects. Specifically at risk in Hawaii are two projects: (1) a consolidated training facility for Air Force Reserve units at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam; and (2) security improvements to the Mokapu Gate at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay). The states further assert that the Trump Administration is:  Violating the U.S. Constitution’s separation of power doctrine and the Appropriations and Presentment Clauses. Congress has the “power of the purse” not the President. Congress refused to appropriate this funding for a border barrier and instead limited the appropriation to $1.375 billion for fencing in a specified area. President Trump exceeds his authority in bucking the will and role of Congress;  Exceeding its lawful authority under 10 U.S.C. section 2808 to construct a border barrier across vast swaths of the U.S.-Mexico border, as it fails to meet the conditions imposed by Congress to undertake military construction projects in a national emergency;  Violating the Administrative Procedure Act’s prohibition on arbitrary and capricious agency action by failing to address any of the harms to public health and safety arising from the defunding of over 120 military construction projects, including cancellation of a $26.5 million project in Hawaii to improve security at one of only two access points to the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, which the Marine Corps asserted was necessary to bring it into compliance with current anti-terrorism and force protection standards;  Failing to meet the required environmental review by the National Environmental Policy Act, which would harm California and New Mexico’s water and air quality, wildlife, land, environmental resources, and would harm public health. #BorderWall #DivertedMilitaryFunds #Congress #MexicoBorder #MotionToProtect #ClareConnors #Trump #ViolationofConstitution #AdministrativeProcedureAct #EPA #EnvironmentalReview #Environmental #EnvironmentalImpact

Hawaii Information Consortium’s (HIC) website has once again been nationally recognized, this time as a winner in the 14th annual W³ Awards. It was also recently honored with the Award of Distinction from the Communicator Awards for its innovative, modern and mobile-oriented design. Receiving more than 5,000 entries from across the globe, the W³ Awards honor outstanding websites, web marketing, web video, mobile sites/apps and social content created by some of the best interactive agencies, designers and creators worldwide. “​We were once again amazed by the high level of execution and creativity found in the entries we received this year. Our W³ winners continue to embody what the internet is all about as they once again raise the bar in Web development and design. We are truly honored to have the privilege to experience such a diverse and remarkable pool of work this year” said Derek Howard, director of the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. HIC helps government agencies solve their biggest problems using technology. Over the past 20 years, HIC has built more than 160 digital government services on behalf of their state, local and federal partners through a public-private partnership with the State of Hawaii. The site redesign was completed in tandem with a company rebrand in February 2019. The HIC logo was redesigned to solidify our company name, Hawaii Information Consortium. Our abbreviated name, “H I C”, is meant to be said by pronouncing each letter with a bold font and uppercase lettering used for emphasis. The three circles are an abstract representation of our company values:  technology, partnership and solutions, which continuously overlap and combine in everything we do. Stories weaved throughout the site show that HIC understands and knows how to implement the latest technology and that it works with government partners every step of the way to build a lasting partnership. A portfolio highlights HIC’s best work and the capabilities section defines technical capabilities in a way meaningful to government agencies. HIC also created new social media presence on all the major platforms to share the softer side of HIC, emphasizing all the activities that create HIC’s unique and engaging culture. #HawaiiConsortium #W3Awards #CommunicatorAwards #HIC #HawaiiState #Technology #DerekHoard #AcademyofInteractiveandVisualArts #Government #HawaiiGovernment

(Honolulu) – Dredging of the Ala Wai Canal to remove accumulated silt and sediments, remove abandoned Hawaiian Electric Company cables, and to repair two sections of canal wall begins this month. Extensive public outreach was conducted by the DLNR Engineering Division to inform canal users, like canoe clubs, of the work. Dredging is expected to remove 186,000 cubic yards of material from depths ranging between six and eight feet. The dredged material is suitable for ocean disposal at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved site – the South O‘ahu Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site. The walls being repaired include the Mauka side fronting the Ala Wai Community Park and between the Kalakaua Avenue and McCully Street bridges. DLNR last dredged the canal in 2002. As with that project, work hours for current dredging are Monday-Saturday from 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. As canal users were previously informed, there will be temporary construction impacts including constraints to water recreation, sporadic walkway closures, and minor noise. The project is expected to last for a year. The long-term benefits of canal dredging include maintaining the ability of the canal to efficiently convey stormwater flows to the ocean to reduce the risk of flooding and to improve aesthetics and use of the canal for recreational users. The project contractor is Hawaii Harbors Constructors JV. The cost of dredging and wall repairs is $21,151,615. Project information including plans and tentative schedule can be found on the DLNR Engineering Division website: http://dlnreng.hawaii.gov/projects/ala-wai-canal-dredging/ #AlaWai #AlaWaiCanal #HawaiianElectric #DLNR #HawaiianDredging #HawaiiHarborsConstructors #HawaiiState #EPA #Environmental

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a laboratory-confirmed case of angiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease, in an adult visitor to Hawai‘i Island. With the additional case confirmed by CDC, this brings the statewide total to seven cases of individuals confirmed with angiostrongyliasis in 2019. This includes three residents and four visitors all of which likely contracted the disease on Hawai‘i Island. The seventh individual was an adult resident of the U.S. mainland and was traveling in West Hawai‘i when they were infected with the parasite causing rat lungworm disease. The individual became ill in late June and did not seek medical care until the end of July after reoccurring dizziness. They were hospitalized on the mainland for a short time for their symptoms. The investigation was not able to identify an exact source of infection. However, the individual reported eating a lot of fresh, local produce without washing first. They also grew a number of herbs on their lanai during their visit. “Thoroughly inspecting and rinsing all fresh fruits and vegetables under clean, running water can go a long way in making our food safer to eat, and it is the most effective way to remove pests and other contaminants,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “When in doubt, cooking food by boiling for 3 to 5 minutes or heating to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds can kill the parasite that causes rat lungworm disease.” DOH provides the following recommendations to prevent rat lungworm disease: Wash all fruits and vegetables under clean, running water to remove any tiny slugs or snails. Pay close attention to leafy greens.Control snail, slug, and rat populations around homes, gardens and farms. Get rid of these vectors safely by clearing debris where they might live, and also using traps and baits. Always wear gloves for safety when working outdoors.Inspect, wash, and store produce in sealed containers, regardless of whether it came from a local retailer, farmer’s market, or backyard garden. For more information about rat lungworm disease and how to prevent its spread, visit: DOH website: http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/rat-lungwormangiostrongyliasis/HDOA website: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/rat-lungworm-information/CTAHR website: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/ctahr/farmfoodsafety/rat-lungworm/CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/angiostrongylus/index.html Angiostrongyliasis, commonly known as rat lungworm disease, is caused by a parasitic roundworm and can have debilitating effects on an infected person’s brain and spinal cord. In Hawai‘i, most people become ill by accidentally ingesting a snail or slug infected with the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis). Symptoms vary widely between cases, and the most common ones include severe headaches and neck stiffness. The most serious cases experience neurological problems, severe pain and long-term disability. PDF: Seventh case of rat lungworm disease in 2019 confirmed in visitor to Hawai‘i Island #RatLungworm #RatLungworDisease #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth #DOH #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention #CDC #Snails #Slugs #Angiostrongyliasis #SarahPark #HawaiiIsland #HawaiiState #WashfriotsandVegetables

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) broke ground on Oct. 10 for the first phase of Niu Valley Middle School’s (NVMS) World Language Center. The groundbreaking ceremony was held with students, staff and parents from the school’s past, present and future as well as community members and government partners. The World Language Center will include four classrooms to be used specifically for world language and English-learning curriculum, and is designed to support 21st century modes of education critical to effectively support learning. “The ability to communicate in more than one language is essential for our global society and for the success of our students,” said First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige.  “The students who learn in this new language center will go on to work collaboratively with their peers on a global level.” NVMS, along with Kaiser High School and Hahaione Elementary, offers the complex area an International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools program. NVMS offers the Middle Years Programme component of the IB program, requiring the school to include World Languages in its curriculum. Japanese and Mandarin classes will be held in the new building. The World Language Center will help support the progression of enrollment to the program with additional classroom facilities. “This new World Language Center is a perfect complement to our International Baccalaureate program’s focus on giving our students a world-class education,” said NVMS Principal Laura Ahn.  “We are excited to see our students thrive in new 21st century learning environments.” The first phase of construction will consist of laying the foundation for the entire structure and construction of one classroom, the technology server room and restrooms.  There will also be a Learning Lanai – a large exterior covered space which expands the classrooms’ instructional space outdoors under cool shade with a ventilated roof that collects rainwater while enabling passive cooling for the classrooms under it. The second phase of construction will include the remaining three classrooms and restrooms.  The estimated completion for the entire project is fall 2021.  Updates can be tracked on the NVMS website. #NiuValleyMiddleSchool #NiuValley #HIDOE #HawaiiPublicSchools #WorldLanguageCenter #GroundbreakingCeremony #StanleyChang

(Honolulu) – The Legacy Land Conservation Commission has prioritized applications to protect 19,270 acres stretching from the southeast shore at Ka‘ū, Hawai‘i, to Kaua‘i’s north shore, including lands on Maui, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu. While thirteen properties requiring $15 million were recommended for funding, the existing budget of $6.4 million will fund five of the top ranked properties. The recommendations require approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and the Governor: Kaunāmano (Ala Kahakai Trail Association, with conservation easement held by County of Hawai‘i; full award for Fiscal Year 2020). Kaunāmano covers five undeveloped parcels of 1,363 acres between Nāʻālehu and Honu‘apo, fronting four miles of Ka‘ū coastline and reaching up to the 600-foot elevation. The entire property is licensed for cattle grazing. This frequently brings people in to help protect sensitive resources and would provide a revenue stream to support future management actions. Mapulehu (Moloka‘i Land Trust, with conservation easement held by Hawaiian Islands Land Trust; partial award for Fiscal Year 2020). The property extends across two parcels totaling 1,816 acres, from near the ocean to the summit of East Moloka‘i. The lower parcel holds the platform of ‘Ili‘ili‘ōpae Heiau—a training area for kahuna and a sacrificial heiau. It supported kalo cultivation in lo‘i along Mapulehu Stream and its tributaries. The upper property is largely watershed, disturbed and degraded by the introduction of cattle and other invasive species, where human activity likely included agricultural use at lower elevations, and hunting and gathering of materials for daily use and cultural use. Maka‘alae Lands (Ke Ao Hali‘i, with conservation easement held by Hawaiian Islands Land Trust; full award for Fiscal Year 2021). Four parcels of oceanfront pasture land at Hāna, Maui cover about 30 acres of a larger effort to protect and conserve 18 parcels totaling 150 acres.  These are prime camping, fishing, and gathering spots for local residents that are also rich in cultural, historical, and natural resource value. Kiolaka‘a (Ala Kahakai Trail Association, with conservation easement held by County of Hawai‘i; full award for Fiscal Year 2021). Beginning at Ka‘alu‘alu Bay, a popular camping spot, three parcels of Kiolaka‘a land cover 1,840 acres, stretching over four miles inland to the 700-foot elevation. Local ranchers hold license agreements to graze cattle on portions of this property as well as on adjacent lands that are also slated for conservation with funding from the Legacy Land Conservation Program. Manaka‘a (Ala Kahakai Trail Association, with conservation easement held by County of Hawai’i; partial award for Fiscal Year 2021). The 348-acre property is an undeveloped coastal parcel just south of Nā‘ālehu, where Manāka‘a Fishing Village sits on the cliffs overlooking Waikapuna.  Local ranchers also hold license agreements to graze cattle on portions of this property, as well as on adjacent lands that are also slated for conservation with funding from the Legacy Land Conservation Program. The Commission acknowledged the value of the proposed acquisitions by recommending an increase to the program’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget to provide funding for an additional eight properties: An additional 32+ acres of coastal land at Hāna, Maui (Ke Ao Hali‘i, Mokae Lands);A conservation easement covering 2,780 acres of working forest lands in Kona, Hawaii; (Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hāloa ʻĀina – Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood);11,000 acres of West Maui watershed lands (Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Nā Wai ‘Ehā);Two fishpond properties (Waipā Foundation at Halele‘a, Kaua‘i and Hawaiian Islands Land Trust at Waikalua Loko I‘a, O‘ahu)Agricultural land at Olohena, Kaua‘i (Mālama Kaua‘i); and Coastal access at Keone‘ō‘i‘o Bay, Maui (Division of Forestry and Wildlife) and coastal ecosystem protection for anchialine pools at Nānu‘alele, Maui. Despite land use regulations and development in Hawai‘i, lands that hold important resource values are often unprotected, inaccessible, and threatened with damage and destruction. The State Legislature established the Land Conservation Fund in 2005 to provide permanent adequate funding for land conservation by dedicating proceeds from the real estate conveyance tax to the Fund. The grant application and approval process includes consultation with three State agencies (DLNR, Department of Agriculture, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation). The process also requires field visits and public meetings with the Legacy Land Conservation Commission; consultation with the President of the State Senate and the Speaker of the State House of Representatives; environmental review; before final approval by the BLNR, the Department of Budget and Finance and the Governor. The application process for grants for Fiscal Year 2022 funds is scheduled to begin in January 2020. #LandConservation #Forestry #Wildlife #DLNR #BLNR #LandAndNaturalResources #LegacyLandConservationCommission #Kaunamano #Mapulhu #Makaalae #Kiolakaa #Manakaa

HONOLULU – At the request of Mayor Michael Victorino, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag will be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai‘i on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 and on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 until sunset. These are the dates of the services for former Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo, who died on Sept. 24, 2019, at the age of 68. He served as a County Council member for 12 years from 2002 through 2013, eight as Council Chair. He recently retired as County Clerk. “Danny was known for his tenacity, quick-wittedness and perseverance, and he was well respected by his peers for his leadership ability and compassion for his community. To his family, he was full of humor, loving, yet committed to ensuring that he did his part in making a difference for future generations. On behalf of the citizens of Hawaiʻi, I join Danny’s ‘ohana in bidding him a fond aloha,” said Gov. Ige. Mayor Victorino added, “I will miss Danny’s great sense of humor, his smile and friendship. He wanted people to be comfortable, and he was passionate about his family, his lovely wife, his children and grandchildren, and the people of Maui County. He was a consummate professional and dedicated public servant. He will be greatly missed.” #DannyMateo #FlagOrder #MichaelVictorino #MauiCountyCouncil #MauiCounty #HawaiiState

HONOLULU –  Gov. David Ige has appointed Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara to be the Adjutant General for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense effective Dec. 6, 2019. He replaces Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan who will be retiring from this position at the end of the year. Brig. Gen. Hara has served as the Deputy Adjutant General since Jan. 2019. In addition, he has been the Assistant Adjutant General – Army since Jan. 2018, and since Feb. 2018 Hara was dual-hatted as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Army National Guard, Operations, G3, Eighth United States Army Korea. In addition, he has served as the chief of the Joint Staff for the Hawaiʻi National Guard where he was responsible for day-to-day operations. Prior to that, he served as commander for the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Hawaiʻi Army National Guard. Brig. Gen. Hara has served in command positions during deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. In addition to his federal mobilizations, Hara has served on several state missions in support of local authorities. Most notably he played key roles in the response following Hurricane Iniki in 1992, after an earthquake struck the island of Hawaiʻi in 2006, and as the Dual Status Commander of Joint Task Force 5-0 in support of the Kīlauea volcanic eruption and Hurricane Lane responses in 2018. Brig. Gen. Hara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in human services from Hawaii Pacific University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Brig. Gen. Hara is married to the former Myoung Park and has five children. “Gen. Hara has been an indispensable member of the State’s Dept. of Defense command team, and I have every confidence in his abilities to lead this critical department. I have asked him to focus on building and maintaining resilience in our communities so we are better prepared to withstand and respond to unexpected events. “I thank Maj. Gen. Logan for his leadership and service to the state and to our nation and ask the citizens of Hawaiʻi to join me in wishing him well,” said Gov. Ige. “I’m honored that Gov. Ige has selected me as the Adjutant General for the State of Hawaiʻi, and I look forward to working with the Senate during the confirmation process,” said Hara. Hara’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. **Photo attached; link to full bio here #KennethHara #AdjutantGeneral #DepartmentOfDefense #DOD #ArthurLogan #GovernorsAppointment #SenateConfirmation #HawaiiDepartmentOfDefense #ArmyNationalGuard

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) announced that veteran Hawaii hospitality executive Pattie Herman has been appointed as vice president of marketing and product development. She will begin work on December 2. “In addition to having a long and successful career in the visitor industry, Pattie’s experience and success in the Asia market will be vital as we continue to focus on this high-spend traveler,” said Chris Tatum, HTA president and CEO. An accomplished executive with more than four decades of managerial experience in Hawaii’s tourism industry, Herman will join HTA’s executive leadership team. She will be responsible for supporting HTA’s initiatives and programs to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner. This includes overseeing branding strategy and planning, the development of new products and experiences, and the administration and coordinated promotion of all tourism programs supporting leisure and group travel. “Having worked in Hawaii’s hospitality industry for more than 40 years, it’s time for me to give back to the Islands and what better position than through this new role with the State. I love tourism, meeting new people and building relationships,” said Herman. “My objectives will be to promote the destination’s multi-faceted experiences, to focus on the quality of tourism, and to build on the traditions of the Hawaiian culture with passion and extreme care,” she continued. Herman currently serves as the director of sales and marketing for Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and formerly served as area director of sales and marketing – Asia for Marriott Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii. Prior to that, she held high-level executive positions in sales and marketing at Sheraton Kauai Resort, Westin Resorts Hawaii and Sheraton Waikiki/Moana Surfrider. She has extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing, and diversified leadership. Herman was born and raised in Yokohama, Japan, and moved to Hawaii with her family when she was in high school. She graduated from Star of the Sea School. She received her Associate degree in hotel management from Kapiolani Community College and worked her way up the corporate ladder. She speaks fluent Japanese. #PattieHerman #HawaiiTourism #ChrisTatum #HTA #Tourism #Marketing #HawaiiState #ProductDevelopment

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige administered the oath of office to Colonel Roy J. Macaraeg, who was promoted to brigadier general, today in a ceremony held at Washington Place. Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan provided remarks. Macaraeg’s family and friends and current and retired military co-workers from the Guard and active duty attended the ceremony. BG Macaraeg is believed to be the first Filipino Soldier to attain the rank of General Officer in the documented history of the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard (HIARNG). Macaraeg enlisted in the HIARNG in 1990, and in 1993, he was the HIARNG Soldier of the Year. He commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 1996 upon graduation from the Hawaii Military Academy, Officer Candidate School (Distinguished Honor Graduate). During his 29-years of service, Macaraeg has held various positions, including posts at the Pentagon and deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Kosovo. He has earned numerous awards and decorations. Macaraeg is a graduate of Wallace Rider Farrington High School and holds an Associate Degree from Honolulu Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi – Mānoa, a Master of Business Administration from Touro University, and a Master of Science in National Strategy from the prestigious National War College. Macaraeg is married to his high school sweetheart, Bene and they have a beautiful 7-year-old daughter, Chloe Anne. #RoyMacaraeg #HawaiiNationalGuard #BrigadierGeneral #HIARNG #DOD #DepartmentOfDefense #ArthurLogan #HawaiiArmyNationalGuard #DavidIge #FarringtonHighSchool #HawaiiMilitary #HawaiiState

(Honolulu) – On Sunday, October 6, following-up on a citizen complaint, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) recovered an estimated 1,000 feet of unattended lay net within Kaneohe Bay. To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/47u07sdgrlt4t9c/AAAWsi-yOkC35nSXBiADPMHGa?dl=0&preview=IMG_1464.MOV At approximately 10:40 a.m. the officers, from the Windward O‘ahu District discovered the double-panel net was unregistered.  They found several dead hammerhead sharks in the net and recovered a 16-foot boat as evidence. No suspects have been identified and anyone with information is encouraged to call the 24-hour DOCARE tip line at 643-DLNR (3567) or download the free DLNRTip app available for android devices and iPhones. DOCARE Officers report that unregistered, unattended, illegal lay nets continue to be a major concern, particularly on O’ahu’s windward side. #LayNet #Conservation #IllegalLayNet #AquaticResources #Boating #DOCARE #Fishing #KaneoheBay #HawaiiState #Hawaii #ConservationEnforcement #IllegalFishing