HONOLULU – Multi-agency efforts continue in the eradication of little fire ants (LFA) as several new infestations have been detected on Oahu, Maui and Kauai. There are currently seven sites being treated on Oahu, two on Maui and one on Kauai for infestation of LFA. October is Stop the Ant Month which reminds residents to be aware and check for LFA in their homes and yards. On Oahu, neighborhoods in Kaneohe, Ahuimanu, Lanikai, Kualoa, Makiki Heights, Pauoa, and Laie are currently being treated. Areas in Wailuku and Waihee on Maui and Kilauea on Kauai are also being treated for infestations. (See attached for details in each area). “The increasing number of LFA detections in previously uninfested areas should be cause for concern for everyone,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “It is imperative that residents check their properties periodically to prevent the spread of infestations in their neighborhoods.” The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL) and partner agencies, including the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, the Invasive Species Committees on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui County and the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) have been asking residents on Oahu, Kauai and Maui County to survey their properties for LFA by using a little peanut butter on a chopstick and leaving them in several areas for about one hour. Any ants collected should be put in a sealable plastic bag, placed in the freezer for at least 24 hours and dropped off or mailed to any HDOA office. An informational flyer may be downloaded at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2014/05/LFASurvey.pdf In addition, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has produced a three-minute video, “How to Test for LFA,” which shows the step-by-step procedure for testing for LFA. The video is available at: https://vimeo.com/97558997 LFA was first detected in the state on Hawaii Island in 1999. However, by time it was found, the ants were widely disbursed on the island and no treatment protocol existed for eradication. The HAL was then established to research best method of eradication and control of LFA. The treatment plans developed by HAL and HDOA entomologists have been very successful in eradicating new infestations. The protocol uses several types of pesticides and bait formulas applied on a six-week interval for a total of eight treatments. Originally from South America, LFA is considered among the world’s worst invasive species. LFA are tiny ants, measuring 1/16th inch long, and pale orange in color. LFA move slowly, unlike the tropical fire ant, which is established in Hawaii, can move quickly, and is much larger with a larger head in proportion to its body. LFA can produce painful stings and large red welts and may cause blindness in pets. They can build up very large colonies on the ground, in trees and other vegetation, and inside buildings and homes and completely overrun a property. Suspected invasive species should be reported to the state’s toll-free PEST HOTLINE – 643-PEST (7378). For more information on LFA in Hawaii, go to the HAL website at: http://www.littlefireants.com/ For more information on Stop the Ant campaign, go to: http://stoptheant.org/ # # # Current Areas Under Treatment for LFA (Oahu, Maui, Kauai) Kaneohe, Oahu Reported December 19, 2018 – Samples submitted to HAL Treatment zone 2 acres; 11 properties involved Treatment began January 2019; survey in July 2019 found no LFA Participating partners: HDOA, HAL Ahuimanu, Oahu Reported January 25, 2019 – Samples submitted by resident to Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) Treatment zone 2 acres; 12 properties involved Treatment began March 2019 Participating partners: HDOA, HAL, OISC Lanikai, Oahu Reported June 13, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HAL. Treatment zone < 2 acres; 6 properties involved Treatment began July 17, 2019 Participating partners: HDOA, HAL Kualoa, Oahu Reported May 8, 2019 – Kualoa staff submitted ant samples to OISC. Treatment zone 20 acres; pastures, natural areas, unpaved roadways Treatment began September 16, 2019 Participating Partners: Kualoa Ranch, HAL, HDOA, GCAPS, OISC, Oahu Army National Resource Program (OANRP), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Makiki Heights, Oahu Reported July 23, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HAL – Oahu Treatment zone approximately 5 acres; 18 properties involved Treatment began October 9, 2019 Participating partners: HDOA, HAL Pauoa, Oahu Reported August 30, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HDOA/HAL Delimiting surveys currently being conducted on approximately 2 acres and 8 properties involved Treatment will begin when surveys are complete Participating partners: HDOA, HAL Laie, Oahu Reported October 7, 2019 Delimiting surveys currently being conducted Participating partners: HDOA, HAL, GCAPS, OISC, OANRP, USFWLS Wailuku, Maui Reported April 3, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HDOA Treatment zone 2.0 acres, residential area, 18 properties involved Treatment began April 30, 2019 Participating partners: HDOA, Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) Waihee, Maui Reported September 10, 2019 – Landscaper submitted ant sample to MISC Treatment zone approximately 5 acres, 3 properties involved Treatment will begin when surveys are complete Participating partners: HDOA, MISC Kilauea, Kauai Reported September 6, 2019 – ant sample turned in to HDOA by pest control operator Treatment zone 2.5 acres, 13 properties involved Started treatment October 21, 2019 Participating partners: HDOA, Kauai Invasive Species Committee Source: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr19-20lfainfestations/ #HawaiiFireAnts #FireAnts #LittleFireAnts #LFA #HOOA #HawaiiBoardofAgriculture #HawaiiAntLab #HawaiiInvasiveSpeciesCouncil

On April 18 at the Board of Education's General Business Meeting, Supt. Christina M. Kishimoto identified promises to our students to be achieved in every public school by 2030, organized around five themes: These are not new ideas: They draw from extensive community outreach during our last phase of strategic planning, our HĀ policy, and our work implementing the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. The goal with our next 10 years is to identify, What will make these promises a reality for every student in every school by 2030? What does that look like, and how do we get there? PLAN PHASES Phase I feedback from the community (click to view news release) was collected through August 1, and included: 83 stakeholder groups registered 2,782 participants Phase II feedback (click to view news release) on a draft of the plan closed on Sept. 20, 2019. There were 314 respondents to the online survey who provided guidance on our action opportunities identified during Phase I. View results. You can still take our "Stake in the Ground" survey, launched during Phase II, to identify how you would like to help public schools with this work. Phase III feedback on proposed and future indicators is open through November 8: Review the Indicators document at bit.ly/2030-Indicators. This document also includes the top action opportunities selected by the community during Phase II feedback. Fill out our quick survey of proposed and future indicators at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2030Indicators. When approved by the Board of Education in early 2020, the 2030 Promise Plan will guide our policies, procedures operations, planning and other activities to ensure we’re on track to deliver on our promises. Power & Promise of Public Education On Sept. 5, 2019, Supt. Kishimoto gave her annual address on the State of the Schools with a focus on Ideas That Transform and a discussion of the 2030 Promise Plan and action opportunities. View: Presentation Facebook Live archive video Community toolkit Community feedback was gathered from May 6 to August 1, 2019. Registered groups were supported with the following materials to host their own sessions. (Click here to download all resources in a .zip file.) 1 - PREPARE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK SESSION Review the resources below to help ground your work and maintain a forward-focused approach centered on promise delivery. We’ve built a video playlist of some of the innovations under way at schools now to provide some context for the learning environments you may want to see in your own community; more can be found on our Bright Spots map. Share these prior to your session if you think they will be helpful. Review the facilitator guide and script in advance to familiarize yourself. FACILITATOR GUIDE, PRESENTATION & SCRIPT  |  VISION STATEMENT  |  COLUMN FROM SUPT. 2 - PROMOTE YOUR FEEDBACK SESSION Now that you’ve determined a date, time and location for your session, let everyone know! Here are some resources to get you started. SAMPLE INVITATION EMAIL  |  PROMO FLYER  |  SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS 3 - HOST YOUR FEEDBACK SESSION Great job: You've spread the word and you have stakeholders coming to your session. Everything you need to host an engaging meeting can be found here, from sign-in sheets to printable posters. In addition to the facilitator's guide, presentation & script, above, here are: SIGN-IN SHEETS  |  FAQs  |  GLOSSARY  |  ACTIVITY POSTERS  |  FACILITATOR SMALL GROUP GUIDE 4 - SUBMIT YOUR FEEDBACK Congratulations! Thanks again for providing your insight. Your registered group will be given unique access to an input form accessible from any mobile or desktop device. We’d love to see you doing your work! Take a photo and post to the input form, or share to social media with #HI4PublicEd. Feedback session media View our gallery of feedback sessions on Flickr. Engage with our educators and stakeholders at #HI4PublicEd. MEDIA COVERAGE / COMMUNITY VOICES ʻŌlelo Community Media series on the 2030 Promise Plan kicks off. Civil Beat: DOE leadership starting work on new 10-year strategic plan. Supt. Kishimoto visits Hawaii News Now Sunrise to talk about the 2030 Promise Plan and other work happening over the summer. Hawaii News Now: Parents asked to share ideas on public education for the next 10 years. Honolulu Star Advertiser: Report card coming up for Hawaii's public schools official. Island Focus on ʻŌlelo Community Media with Lyla Berg. "School bells ring, but why?" by Bobby Widhalm, state office teacher [VIEW] News release, Community invited to provide input on Hawai'i DOE's next 10 years [VIEW] #HIDOE #2030PromisePlan #ValuesOfHA #ChristinaKishimoto #IAmHawaiisPromise #PowerandPromiseofPublicEducation #HawaiiState #PublicEducation

Unless we eradicate polio, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 new cases could occur around the world each year. In the past few years, only two countries have reported cases of polio caused by the wild virus, but no child anywhere is safe until we’ve vaccinated every child. The Disease Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as poliovirus. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide. The Facts Polio mainly affects children under age 5. There is no cure, but polio is preventable with a vaccine. Only three countries remain endemic. Cases have been reduced by 99.9% since 1988. Until we end polio forever, every child is at risk. On World Polio Day, thousands of Rotary clubs around the world will hold events and fundraisers to recognize our progress in the global fight to end polio. #WorldPolioDay #DavidIge #JoshGreen #RotaryInternational #EndPolioNow #RotaryInternational #PolioVirus

The Hawaii Association of Secondary School Administrators (HASSA) honored Mililani High School Principal Fred Murphy as the state’s National Distinguished Principal of the Year and Waipahu High School Vice Principal Meryl Matsumura as the Vice Principal of the Year during a luncheon today at the Hale Koa Hotel. Murphy recently returned from Washington D.C., where he joined 49 other state awardees at the National Association of Secondary School (NASSP) National Principal of the Year Institute and was formally recognized. L to R: Waipahu High School Vice Principal Meryl Matsumura and Mililani High School Principal Fred Murphy Photo Credit: Department of Education “Congratulations, Fred and Meryl, on this well-deserved recognition and mahalo for your dedication to the Department and Hawaii’s public school students,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. “Your passion to change lives and continued commitment in striving for excellence on behalf of your schools are evident as we see the tremendous accomplishments of the students and staff at Mililani and Waipahu high schools.” The luncheon also celebrated National Principals Month. NASSP, along with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Federation of School Administrators, have designated October as National Principals Month to help spotlight the hard work and dedication of school leaders. Murphy has been an administrator for 13 years, and at Mililani High for seven years. He is a proud Mililani High alumni and is known to foster learning environments that promote innovation and creativity. Recent examples include implementing student advisories, training teachers and staff on new social emotional learning philosophies, increasing teacher involvement in school activities, and bringing Professional Learning Communities to the school. Under Murphy’s leadership, curriculum offerings have grown with over 23 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the most of any public or private school in Hawaii, as well as 27 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, 52 student extracurricular clubs and 47 athletic teams. L to R: Winston Sakurai, Penelope Tom, Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami, Principal Fred Murphy, Hawaii State Board of Education Chairperson Catherine Payne, Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Complex Area Superintendent Bob Davis Photo Credit: Department of Education “Principal Murphy is a visionary leader to both Mililani High as well as the broader school community,” shared Complex Area Superintendent Robert Davis. “In addition to encouraging parent and community involvement in various school initiatives, he regularly leads meetings with community partners, helping to address issues and advocate for new initiatives to benefit the Mililani community.” Matsumura has been an assistant principal at Waipahu High for 14 years and a school administrator for 23 years. She serves as the administrator for Waipahu High’s Academy of Natural Resources, where she facilitated a clear and purposeful shared vision with all stakeholders, led discussions on implementing and assessing relevant learning opportunities, and established an academy advisory board that included teachers, students, parents, and post-secondary and industry partners. Through her leadership, the Academy of Natural Resources was recognized by the National Career Academy Coalition as the first nationally certified academy of its kind in the nation. L to R: Winston Sakurai, Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Vice Principal Meryl Matsumura, Hawaii State Board of Education Chairperson Catherine Payne, Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami, Penelope Tom Photo Credit: Department of Education Principal Keith Hayashi highlighted Matsumura’s leadership saying, “Central to all of Meryl’s efforts is equity of opportunity in student learning. In her capacity as an effective school leader, she allocated personal and human resources to support all students in attaining high levels of success. She is an asset to Waipahu High School and to public education.” National Distinguished Principal awardees are selected based on a wide variety of criteria including leadership skills, student learning, school demographics, professional preparation and education, and recommendations from students, teachers, staff and Hawaii State Department of Education leaders. HASSA is the local affiliate of the NASSP and was created in 1980 by 18 public and private school leaders. The organization has grown to now include more than 250 members from both public and private schools in the state. #PrincipalOfTheYear #VicePrincipalOfTheYear #FredMurphy #MililaniHighSchool #MerylMatsumura #WaipahuHighSchool #HawaiiAssociationofSecondarySchoolAdministrators #Hawaii #NASSP #ChristinaKishimoto #CarrerandTechnicalEducation #CTE

Ka ‘Aha Kenekoa THE SENATE Ka ‘Aha ‘Ōlelo Kanakolu THE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE ‘Aha Kau Waena Kānāwai 2019 INTERIM OF 2019 Ke Kōmike Kuleana Hawai‘i COMMITTEE ON HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS Kenekoa/Senator Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Luna Ho’omalu/Chair Kenekoa/Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele, Hope Luna Ho’omalu/Vice Chair ‘Ōlelo Ho‘olaha No Ka ‘Aha Kūkākūkā / NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING Lā / DATE: Pō’akahi, Nowemapa 4, 2019 / Monday,  November  4, 2019 Hola / TIME: 1:30 pm Wahi/PLACE: Lumi nui ‘Ākoakoa Kūkā  / Auditorium Ke Kapikala Moku‘āina / State Capitol / 415 South Beretania Street Papa Kumuhana A G E N D A DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING The purpose of this briefing is for the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs to receive a statewide comprehensive update from Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiary representatives and individuals stakeholders.  (Times are approximations) I.     Wait List Representative 1:30 – 2:00 pm, ~30 mins) ~ Wait-Listers: Elmer Ka’ai **Panelist will be asked to address these questions: 1) What have been your successes? 2) What solutions or improvements would you suggest? II.     Statewide Beneficiary Concerns Panel (2:00 - 2:45 pm, ~ 45 mins)  ~ Hawai‘i Island: - Pat Kahawaiola’a (Hilo)                                - Bo Kahui (Kona) ~ Maui: Blossom Feiteira ~ Moloka‘i: Glenn Teves ~ Kaua‘i: Robin Danner ~ Rural O‘ahu: Kapua Keliikoa-Kamai ~ Urban O‘ahu: Puni Kekauoha **Panel will be asked to address these questions: 1) What have been your successes? 2) What solutions or improvements would you suggest? III.   Oral Testimony by those in attendance (2:45 - 3:45 pm, ~ 60 mins) ** Subject to time limits depending on how many people wish to testify IV.   Q&A / Discussion from Legislators (3:45 - 4:30pm, ~ 45 mins) ** WRITTEN TESTIMONY may be submitted up to 24 hours prior to the start of the informational briefing to the following email: HWNtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov If you require auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., interpretive services (oral or written), ASL interpreter, or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the committee clerk at least 24 hours prior to the hearing so that arrangements can be made. For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at (808) 587-7793. #HawaiiSenate #DepartmentofHawaiiHomeLands #DHHL #MaileShimabukuro #KaiKahele #LesIhara #JarrettKeohokalole #KurtFevella #Beneficiaries #DHHLUpdate #ElmerKaai #PatKahawaiolaa #BoKahui #BlossomFeiteira #GlennTeves #RobinDanner #KapuaKeliikoaKamai #PuniKekauoha #HawaiiState

HONOLULU – The Real Estate Commission, together with Community Associations Institute Hawaii Chapter will hold a free “Condorama VI” event at the Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium, Chamber Level, on Saturday, November 9, 2019.  The event runs from 9:00 am – 10:30 am and will feature three speakers recognized in the condominium community for their expertise in the Hawaii condominium law, board meetings, and the legislative process. The event is open to the public and registration is available online at www.caihawaii.org. For more information, the public can call the Real Estate Branch at 808-586-2644. TOPICS INCLUDE: Extensive Examination of Board Meetings Updates on Non-Judicial Foreclosures Effective Participation in the Legislative Process #RealEstateCommission #CommunityAssociationsInstituteHawaiiChapter #CondoramaEvent #HawaiiStateCapitol #NonJudicialForeclosures #LegislativeProcess

Ewa Makai Middle School dedicated a new classroom wing on Oct. 17 with special guests including First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, students, teachers, government partners and community members. Tours of the new classrooms were given by Ewa Makai Middle students and guests were treated to a variety of refreshments made by culinary students from James Campbell High, Kapolei High and Ewa Makai Middle. The new 24-room, two-story wing is accommodating approximately 450 new sixth-graders from feeder schools Ewa Elementary, Ewa Beach Elementary and Keoneula Elementary to complete the school’s sixth-to-eighth-grade middle school concept. “We are excited to have sixth graders on our campus for the first time this school year with our new classroom wing and we are thrilled to be able to expand our array of elective offerings,” said Principal Kim Sanders. “Mahalo to our students, parents, legislators and our community partners for their support throughout this expansion process.” The new sixth-grade wing adds approximately 54,500 square feet of educational space for the school’s 1,400 students. Construction began in January 2017 and cost approximately $24 million to complete. Also included in the construction were covering for the amphitheatre and a courtyard fronting the new wing. The upstairs classrooms will house three sixth-grade teams in innovative rooms that have the capability to open up into one large room for team-teaching lessons. Hallways designed with student work to promote a positive campus culture will be utilized for interdisciplinary units and project-based learning. The downstairs classrooms will house electives like Spanish, aviation, engineering, coding, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), computer art, 3D design and health and wellness classes. “The new wing was designed as a space for innovative learning to empower both students and teachers,” said Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area Superintendent Sean Tajima. "Collaborative learning environments like these are essential to creating engaging and inspiring educational experiences." #HIDOE #HawaiiDepartmentOfEducationn #EwaMakaiMiddleSchool #EwaElementary #KeoneulaElementary #KimSanders #AdvancementViaIndividualDetermination #AVID

HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors joins state charities regulators across the country, the National Association of State Charities Officials (NASCO) and the Federal Trade Commission to announce the second annual International Charity Fraud Awareness Week (ICFAW) from October 21 to 25, 2019. ICFAW is a coordinated international campaign to help charities and consumers avoid charity fraud and promote wise giving. Attorney General Connors and other U.S. partners are joining the Charities Commission for England & Wales, which for many years has hosted its own Charity Fraud Awareness Week. In addition, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, the New Zealand Charities Service, and the Office of the Scottish Regulator are also joining in the international outreach effort.  Key non-governmental participants include Chartered Accountants Worldwide, the UK’s Fraud Advisory Panel, and international charities Oxfam, British Council and Amnesty International. “Our agency is pleased to partner with this international effort,” said Attorney General Connors. “The goal is to provide information to the people of our state so they can make thoughtful choices about the charities they choose to support with donations.  We hope this campaign helps keep their hard-earned money from ending up in the wrong hands.” #CharityFraudOut2019 Charity Fraud Awareness Week features a social media campaign that promotes wise giving tips for consumers.  This year the campaign also features cybersecurity and data security guidance for nonprofits. Tune into the weeklong discussion at #CharityFraudOut2019 and follow Hawaii Attorney General on Twitter  https://twitter.com/AtghIgov for daily tips. Resources for Consumers When you donate, you want your money to go to a charity that really helps make a difference. Many reputable charities are deserving of support. The State of Hawaii provides useful tips at http://ag.hawaii.gov/tax/files/2013/01/540427_11.pdf and you may also utilize the information on www.ftc.gov/charity to help individuals and businesses find reputable organizations and give wisely.  Watch the FTC’s video “Make Your Donations Count” and remember to: Do your research: Search the charity’s name online with words like “complaint” and “scam.”Search for the charity on Hawaii’s registration site at  https://ag.ehawaii.gov/charity/search.htmlCheck out the charity’s ratings with groups like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and Guidestar.Use the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search to see if your donation is tax-deductible. What about donation requests through social media and crowdfunding sites? Many requests for donations through social media and crowdfunding sites are legitimate, but some are scams. For example, there are people who misuse real pictures and stories to get you to donate, but the money goes into their own pockets. Some fraudsters have even hijacked links to legitimate charities on social media and pocketed donations made via those links. Crowdfunding sites often have little control over who uses them and how donations are spent. Research before you give. Also, if tax deductions are important to you, remember that donations to individuals are not tax-deductible. The safest way to give on social media or through crowdfunding is to donate to people you actually know who contact you about a specific project. Don’t assume that solicitations on social media or crowdfunding sites are legitimate – even when they are shared or liked by your friends. If you want to donate to a charity promoted in social media or on a crowdfunding site, don’t forget that you can always go directly to the charity’s website and donate that way.  Do your own research. Call or contact your friends offline and ask them about the post they shared. More information may be found at https://www.consumerreports.org/crowdfunding/be-careful-about-donating-through-crowdfunding/ Advice for Non-Profit Organizations This year, ICFAW is also emphasizing the importance of non-profit and charitable organizations adopting good cybersecurity practices to protect donor and client information. The FTC has created a guide for small businesses and non-profits about the basics of cybersecurity, and also has a blog post with more information specifically for non-profits. Here are some of the most basic tips non-profits should follow: Update your software – set it to update automatically. Breaches often happen when vulnerabilities exist because companies did not install the latest update or patch. Secure your files – make a back-up offline so that if there’s a ransomware attack, your company can stay up and running Require passwords for all devices Use multi-factor authentication (like a PIN or key). That way if a laptop is lost or stolen, it’s harder for a thief to get into them. Encrypt devices – for another layer of protection of sensitive information Follow This Year’s ICFAW Themes: Monday, Oct. 21: Launch day. Theme – All.Together.Now. Tuesday, Oct. 22: Fundraising Scams Wednesday, Oct. 23: Cybersecurity Thursday, Oct. 24: Internal Fraud Friday, Oct. 25: Keeping Data Safe #InternationalCharityFraudAwarenessWeek #ClareConnors #ICFAW #NationalAssociationofStateCharitiesOfficials #NASCO #AttorneyGeneralHawaii #CharityFraudOut2019 #MakeYourDonationsCount #CyberSecurity #InternalFraud

HONOLULU – In his capacity as acting governor, Lt. Gov. Joshua Green issued a sixth supplementary proclamation that extends the disaster emergency relief period for homelessness across the state. The purpose of the emergency proclamation is to accelerate the completion of housing projects for individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness. It also expands shelter capacity and access to services. The governor signed the initial emergency proclamation for homelessness on Dec. 14, 2018, a supplementary proclamation on Feb. 12, 2019, a second on April 12, 2019, a third supplementary emergency proclamation on June 7, 2019, a fourth supplementary proclamation on Aug. 6, 2019 and the fifth on Aug. 23, 2019. The sixth supplementary proclamation extends the relief period until Dec. 16, 2019. #Homelessness #JoshuaGreen #StateOfHawaii #SupplementaryProclamation #Housing #DisasterEmergencyRelief #Shelter #HousingProjects

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige will be attending Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony and related events in Japan this week. The governor is one of seven Japanese-Americans who have been invited to the enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday, Oct. 22 (Japan time). The list of invited Japanese-American guests is as follows: From Washington, D.C. Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye From California Congressman Mark Takano (D-Riverside) Mr. Thomas Iino (Los Angeles businessman, banker, U.S.-Japan Council) From Seattle, WA Ms. Lori Matsukawa (retired news anchor, U.S.-Japan Council) From Hawaii Gov. David Ige Ms. Christine Kubota While in Japan, Gov. Ige will also attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and an event in which Emperor Naruhito receives congratulations from the Japanese-American delegation and 480 guests. Lt. Gov. Josh Green will serve as acting governor until Gov. Ige returns from Japan on Friday, Oct. 25. #DavidIge #ShinzoAbe #Japan #EmperorNaruhito #Hawaiistate #EnthronementCeremony

(Hilo) – Administrative fines totaling $48,500 have been affirmed by Circuit Judge Greg K. Nakamura in a Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) decision against illegal commercial lava boat tours on Hawai‘i Island; in a ruling issued on September 27, 2019. Those fined are Henry K. Pomroy, Bill A. Fujimoto, and Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC. “We are very satisfied with this ruling,” said Edward Underwood, Administrator for the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).  “The purpose of the commercial use permit rules is to ensure that companies are following all Federal, State, and County laws and conducting their operations with proper regard to public safety and natural resource protection,” Underwood continued. The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement also issued Pomroy a criminal citation for violation of Hawaii Administrative Rules, but the Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office dismissed the criminal citation. DOBOR brought the administrative enforcement action before BLNR at its April 28, 2017 meeting, alleging multiple instances of illegal commercial activity and requesting a total of $140,000 in administrative fines. Steven D. Strauss, then-managing member of Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC, as well as attorney for Pomroy and Fujimoto, requested and was granted, a contested case hearing on the enforcement action. According to DOBOR, Pomroy was warned that he was operating illegal commercial lava boat tours because he did not have a valid commercial permit authorizing the tours. Pomroy continued to repeatedly conduct illegal lava tours from the Pohoiki Boat Ramp, then instituted a “membership” scheme with assistance from Strauss, where customers would pay to enter into an agreement for “Conveyance of Membership Interest in Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC.”  Pomroy argued that members of Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC were taking boat rides as members of the company and therefore were not paying customers. “We recognized this scheme as an attempt to circumvent our commercial permit system and took action to put an end to it. Unpermitted commercial operations not only pose a threat to public safety and natural resource protection but are also unfair to the other commercial operators who comply with permitting requirements,” Underwood stated. The contested case Hearing Officer ruled that there was commercial activity taking place and that the agreement for membership interest did not void the commercial use permit requirement. BLNR voted to impose the fine, including attorney fees and administrative costs at $48,500. Pomroy, Fujimoto, and Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC then appealed BLNR’s decision to the Circuit Court. #DLNR #LavaBoat #IllegalLavaBoatTours #BLNR #HenryPomroy #BillFujimoto #HookupuFishCompany #DOBOR #PohoikiBoatRamp #HawaiiState

A team led by a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa chemistry professor and researcher has been able to provide answers to key questions about the surface of Saturnʻs moon Titan. Physical chemist Ralf I. Kaiser and fellow researchers examined remote sensing data regarding NASA’s Cassini–Huygens mission to Titan—the only solar system body besides Earth with a solid surface, lakes and a thick atmosphere with a pressure of about 1.5 atmosphere at surface level. Images and data from Cassini-Huygens exposed the existence of vast longitudinal dunes on Titan’s surface across the equatorial deserts reaching heights of up to 100 meters, close to the size of the Egyptian pyramids of Giza. Whereas Earth’s dunes are made of silicates or the largest class of minerals, imaging studies revealed that Titan’s dunes contain dark organics of until now undetermined origin and chemical composition. The UH Mānoa team, which also consisted of Matthew Abplanalp, former chemistry graduate student at UH’s W.M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, exposed acetylene ice—a chemical that is used on Earth in welding torches and exists at Titan’s equatorial regions—at low temperatures to proxies of high-energy galactic cosmic rays. The researchers exposed a rapid cosmic-ray-driven chemistry which converts simple molecules like acetylene to more complex organic molecules like benzene and naphthalene—a compound which is found in mothballs—on Titan’s surface. These processes also happen in the interstellar medium—the space between stars—on hydrocarbon rich layers of interstellar nanoparticles. This research “Low-temperature synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Titan’s surface ices and on airless bodies” was published in the recent issue of Science Advances. “Titan’s dunes represent the dominating surface sink of carbon in Titan’s organic chemistry,” said Abplanalp, current researcher at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake. “Therefore, unraveling the origin and chemical pathways to form this organic dune material is vital not only to understand Titan’s chemical evolution, but also to grasp how alike the chemistries on Titan and on Earth might have been like before life emerged on Earth 3.5 million years ago.” “These processes eventually furnish the molecular building blocks not only for Titan’s organic dunes, but also for organics on airless bodies in general such as on Kuiper Belt Objects like dwarf planet Makemake,” outlined Kaiser. “The low temperature synthesis of PAHs from acetylene ices represents a fundamental shift from currently accepted perceptions that PAH formation takes place solely in the gas phase at elevated temperatures of a few 1,000 K such as in combustion processes.” Findings impact next Titan mission These findings will have unprecedented implications for the next space mission to Titan. NASA aims to land a flying robot, Dragonfly, on the surface of Titan, the top target in the search for alien life and its molecular precursors. The car-sized quadcopter, equipped with instruments capable of identifying large organic molecules, is slated to launch on a rocket in 2026, arrive at its destination in 2034 and then fly to multiple locations hundreds of miles apart. Dragonfly will land near Titan’s equator close to the organic dunes thus providing an in situ glimpse of potentially biorelevant organics at a frozen stage—boldly going where no one has gone before. “Overall, this study advances our understanding of the complex organics and fundamental chemical processing of simple molecules in deep space and provides a scientifically sound and proven mechanism of formation of aromatic structures in extreme environments in low temperature ices,” Kaiser concluded. “Since Titan is nitrogen-rich, the incorporation of nitrogen in these PAHs may also lead to carbon-nitrogen moieties (parts of a molecule) prevailing in contemporary biochemistry such as in DNA and RNA-based nitrogen-bases.” Source: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/10/17/team-unravels-titans-dunes-origins/ #UniversityOfHawaii #UHHawaii #Titan #Saturn #Moon #RalfKaiser #NASA #Dragonfly #CassiniHuygen #MatthewAbplanalp #KeckResearchLaboratory #TitanMission #DNA #RNA #Nitrogen #KuiperBeltObjects #chinaLake #ScienceAdvances #HawaiiState