Hawaiian Electric's annual Clean Energy Fair kicks off National Energy Action Month in October and encourages conservation of our natural resources while moving forward to a sustainable, clean energy future for Hawaii. The family fun event blends interactive displays with energy games to entertain, educate and enlighten the public about energy issues as well as solutions to manage energy use, reduce energy costs and help protect the environment. Who: Hawaiian Electric Company What: 15th Annual Hawaiian Electric Clean Energy Fair When: Saturday, October 6, 2018 Where: Kahala Mall, near Macy's Here is the schedule of entertainment for the family: 10:00 am Opening, games and prizes 10:15 am Sub-Zero Science with Professor Luca 11:15 am Photo-taking w/ Maka; Games and prizes 12:00 pm Keiki Hula Halau Na Pualei o Likolehua 1:00 pm Games and prizes 1:30 pm Kupaoa 2:30 pm Games and prizes 2:55 pm Grand prize drawing 3:00 pm Pau #cleanenergyfair #hawaiianelectric #subzeroscience #professorluca #kupaoa #kahalamall #macys #savetheplanet #naturalresources #sustainableresources #cleanenergy #Freeevent #energyactionmonth

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) will solicit public feedback on updates the Department is proposing to strengthen its student misconduct and discipline code known as Chapter 19. The Hawaii State Board of Education unanimously voted today to send the revisions out for a public hearing. “The Department is committed to providing equal access for all children to a quality public education within a positive learning environment. We want to ensure our students feel safe and are ready to learn in a system grounded in respect, aloha and community,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. Chapter 19, which is part of Hawaii Administrative Rules, was last revised in 2009 to establish a proactive student discipline system that emphasizes positive behavioral interventions and supports. Protected classes, as defined in the proposed revisions, include race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, physical appearance and characteristics, and socio-economic status. One of the revisions would elevate the student offenses of bullying/harassment and cyberbullying for intermediate and high school students to a Class A offense — the most serious category of prohibited conduct that also includes assault, fighting and possession or use of dangerous weapons. Bullying, harassment and cyberbullying currently are Class B offenses for all students. It would remain a lower-level offense for students in kindergarten to 6th grade as they are still learning socially appropriate behaviors. The definition of bullying would be combined with harassment and revised to mean any student-to-student written, verbal, graphic or physical act that hurts, harms or humiliates another student physically or emotionally, and is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive or creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for the other student. The rules generally do not prescribe specific consequences when a student commits certain offenses. School administrators take five factors into account when determining appropriate disciplinary action: intention, nature and severity, impact on others, age of student and prior misbehavior. Under Chapter 19, any school employee who witnesses a Class A or Class B offense, or who has reasonable cause to believe an offense has been committed or will be committed, is required to promptly report the incident to the school principal, who must conduct an investigation. The rules are being updated in part to satisfy requirements of a resolution agreement reached late last year between HIDOE and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. The federal department in 2011 initiated a compliance review of HIDOE’s policies related to bullying and harassment based on race, sex and disability. There was no complaint that initiated the review. The Department also is proposing to repeal Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 41 and replace it with a new section titled Chapter 89 Civil Rights Policy and Complaint Procedures for Student(s) Complaints against Adult(s). #HawaiiDepartmentofEducation #ChristinaKishimoto #StateofHawaii #Chapter19 #Hawaiistateboardofeducation #HawaiiAdministrativeRules #HIDOE #Chapter89 #CivilRightsPolicy #ComplaintProcedures #Chapter41

HAWAII SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS THE EQUAL PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled today that same-sex spouses must be treated as the presumed parents of children born during their marriage, just as opposite-sex spouses are. The case involves a dispute between L.C. and M.G., a formerly married same-sex couple, regarding whether L.C. is a legal parent of a child conceived using anonymous donor sperm and born to M.G. during the marriage. L.C. asked the Hawaii Supreme Court to rule that she is not a legal parent and has no obligation to pay child support because she is not biologically related to the child. The State of Hawaii submitted a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of M.G., urging the Court to read Hawaii parentage law in a gender-neutral manner, as required by the Marriage Equality Act, and to apply the marital presumption of parentage equally to both same-sex and opposite-sex married couples. Today’s ruling did just that. Attorney General Russell Suzuki said, “The State submitted its brief in this case to ensure that the Marriage Equality Act is properly enforced, so that the children of married same-sex couples have the same opportunity to receive child support as the children of married opposite-sex couples.” According to Solicitor General Clyde Wadsworth, who argued for the State, “The Marriage Equality Act says that all laws regarding marriage must be applied equally to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The Court today made clear that ‘all’ means all.” A copy of the opinion is attached here. #samesexmarriage #hawaiisupremecourt #samesexcouples #russellsuzuki #marriageequalityact #clydewadsworth #hawaii

Attorney General Russell A. Suzuki is warning the public after receiving a report of an individual who held himself out as an employee of the Department going door-to-door in Honolulu asking residents if they were interested in scheduling an appointment for a Keiki ID kit. The Department of the Attorney General does not conduct in-home meetings for the Keiki ID kit. If a visitor to your home introduces himself as a representative of the Department regarding the Keiki ID kit, you should immediately report the incident to the police by calling 911. The Department of the Attorney General is one of many public and private organizations that provide Keiki ID kits as a community service. The Keiki ID kit is a valuable tool that can be used to help recover missing children. It provides critical information that law enforcement may find helpful in the event that a child goes missing. In addition to basic descriptive information about the child, it includes spaces for fingerprints, a photo, a dental chart (for a dentist to fill in), and a DNA sample (a strand of hair from the child’s hairbrush). The information collected in the Keiki ID kit is kept by the child’s family. The Department does not keep any information or record of the child. The Department’s Missing Child Center - Hawaii (MCCH) works in partnership with the non-profit Friends of the Missing Child Center - Hawaii on scheduled community events to offer Keiki ID kits to the public. Upcoming Keiki ID kit events are posted at: http://ag.hawaii.gov/cpja/mcch/mcch-quick-links/ Additional information on keeping your child safe is available on the MCCH website: http://ag.hawaii.gov/cpja/mcch/ # #attorneygeneralhawaii #keikiid #keikiidkitscam #russellsuzuki #DepartmentoftheAttorneyGeneral #MissingchildCenterHawaii #MCCH #DNA #911 #hawaii

The Hawaii State Department of Education is continuing its ‘Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month program for a second year. This October, participating public schools statewide will be serving ‘Ulu Beef Stew. Create this delicious meal at home by following our recipe. The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is continuing its ‘Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month program for a second year. This October, participating public schools statewide will be serving ‘Ulu Beef Stew. The new lunch entrée features locally grown breadfruit, thanks to an ongoing partnership with Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative (HUPC). Members of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council and the Hawaii Beef Industry Council will be providing the locally raised meat in the student lunches on Hawaii Island, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai. HUPC is a farmer-owned and -operated business that was established in August 2016 with nine members on Hawaii Island. Today, there are more than 50 breadfruit farmer-members who help to provide a supply of breadfruit nearly year-round. “Sharing this ancient Hawaiian staple with our younger generation is a great way to show our keiki what our land can provide,” said Dana Shapiro, manager of HUPC. “Breadfruit grows abundantly throughout the islands and we’ve been experiencing a revived interest from consumers, producers, researchers, community groups and policy makers as our state strives to become more self-sufficient, given that more than 80 percent of our food supply is imported.” ‘Ulu made its school lunch debut during the 2017-18 school year in a local-style burrito, combined with shredded kalua pork, spinach and homemade salsa. To showcase the cooking versatility of breadfruit, a new recipe was created. This October, participating public schools statewide will be serving ‘Ulu Beef Stew, as part of the ‘Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month program. Photo Credit: Department of Education “We did some experimentations with the breadfruit and found out it worked well in a favorite local dish like Beef Stew,” said Dann Carlson, assistant superintendent, Office of School Facilities and Support Services. “‘Aina Pono opportunities like this allow us to help transform the way our students eat and introduce them to locally grown produce.” Additionally, Carlson said the partnership with HUPC would help with Hawaii’s economy. “Buying from our local farmers and ranchers helps to support Hawaii’s economic growth and assist in agricultural development,” said Carlson. “October is also National Farm to School Month, and having our schools participate in the ‘Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month program is the perfect way to celebrate.” Locally grown products previously featured in the ‘Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month program included beef, bananas, papayas and pineapples. For more information, click here. 'Aina Pono: Harvest of the Month Recipe 'Ulu Beef Stew Want to make this delicious stew at home? Here's the recipe: Servings: 12 servings Ingredients: 3 pounds boneles stew meat (cut into 1-inch cubes) ¾ cup crushed tomato ¼ cup tomato paste 2 pounds fresh 'ulu (breadfruit) 2 medium-sized carrots (cut into bite-size pieces) 1 medium round onion (cut into bite-size pieces) 3 stalks of celery (cut into bite-size pieces) 4 cloves of garlic, crushed ½ cup beef base ¾ teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons sugar 1 quarter water 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoon vegetable oil (for browning the beef) 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (optional) ½ teaspoon Tabasco (optional) Directions: Heat oil in a large pot. Add the stew meat. Cook until the beef is browned on all sides. Add crushed tomato, tomato paste, garlic, beef base, black pepper, sugar and water (optional: worchestershire sauce and tabasco). Cover and cook, skimming from time to time, until the beef is half-cooked. Add onions and celery. Cover and continue to cook until the beef tender. Add carrots and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Add 'ulu and simmer until vegetables are tender. Make slurry (mixture of four and 1 cup of water) and strain through a seive to remove lumps. Add slurry to stew and stir constantly until desired thickness is reached. Bring back to a simmer before turning off heat. Nutrition information for 'Ulu Beef Stew (excluding rice) – Serving Size: 10 oz.; 346 calories; 13 g total fat (saturated fat: 5 g); 32 g carbohydrates; 6 g fiber; 26 g protein; 485 mg sodium. \ (Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. Nutrient levels may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients, etc. Value of the menu item is listed in grams (g) of carbohydrates rounded to the nearest whole number. While we do our best to ensure accuracy, we make no representation or warranty regarding the information contained in this document. Although we are providing nutritional information for our menus, the information in this document is for informational purposes only. No information, services or materials offered shall be construed as or understood to be medical advice or care.) #TheHawaiiDepartmentofEducation #DOE #UluBeefStew #AinaPono #Keiki #DannCarlson #BeefStew #Localstyleburrito #HUPC #DanaShapiro #hawaiiisland #kaluapork #OfficeofschoolfacilitiesandSupportServices #NationalFarmtoSchoolMOnth #hawaii

AGGRESSIVE STRAIN OF RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH DETECTED AT KALŌPĀ STATE RECREATION AREA - Park Currently Closed for Repairs and Upgrades (Hilo) – During a regularly scheduled quarterly aerial assessment of forests on Hawai‘i island in late July, spotters detected more trees “symptomatic” for the presence of C. lukuohia, the fungus more commonly known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. These trees are in the Kalōpā State Recreation Area on the Hamakua Coast and after the helicopter surveys utilizing digital mobile sketch mapping (DMSM), ground crews from the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) followed up by taking ground samples. "Click photo above to view video" Bill Buckley of BIISC said, “This detection is roughly 12 miles from the nearest known occurrence of the fungus on the east side of the island. We sampled three trees in the recreation area and three trees in the adjacent forest reserve.” Five of the six samples tested positive for C. lukuohia, one of a pair of fungi associated with Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and the most aggressive of the two. According to Bill Stormont of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), “We continue to take samples and are conducting UAV (drone) flights to more accurately map the area. We’re working with the DLNR Division of State Parks to determine next steps which could include felling the diseased trees. This is desirable to limit the potential spread of the disease by dust and frass created by beetles that burrow into infected trees.” Tree felling only happens if it can be done safely and without harming surrounding trees. It’s ideally done on a rainy day to limit potential airborne dispersal of the fungus. Felling would only happen in the park and not in the adjacent forest reserve, where the tree canopy is too tight to make cutting trees a viable option. Kalōpā State Recreation Area has been closed since mid-July for repairs and upgrades to the park’s cabins and campgrounds. The projects are not expected to be completed until May 2019. State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell explained, “DOFAW staff will be installing four boot-brush stations at Kalōpā this fall. We’re also collaborating with various partners working on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death to potentially install information signs, brochure dispensers and boot-brush stations at other east Big Island parks including Akaka Falls State Park and Lava Tree State Monument.” Discussions are underway with an adjacent private landowner to gain access to sample symptomatic trees on that property as well. Based on on-going aerial surveys, it’s estimated 135,000 acres of ʻōhiʻa forest on Hawai‘i island currently show symptoms of the disease. Earlier this year the less aggressive strain of the fungus was detected in a relatively small stand of trees on Kaua‘i. So far it has not been discovered on Maui or on O‘ahu, but regular surveys continue statewide. Shot Sheet-ROD Surveys Take on Added Urgency, May 15, 2018 # # # RESOURCES (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) HD video – (Digital Mobile Sketch Mapping on O‘ahu with sound-shot sheet attached) https://vimeo.com/269977018 Photographs – (Digital Mobile Sketch Mapping on O‘ahu) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lolsttw9q68f7bt/AADQSTIdPSMYOAxR-NnojHoVa?dl=0 www.dlnr.hawaii.gov #BillBuckley #BIISC #Clukuohia #fungi #rapidohiadeath #DLNR #CurtCottrell #DOFAW #Kalopa #BigIsland #AkakaFallsStatePark #LavaTreeStateMonument #kauai #billstormont #DivisionofForestryandWildlife #kalopastaterecreationarea #hamakuacoast #BigIslandInvasiveSpeciesCommittee

Imagine waking up one day and finding there was no water. No water to drink or to cook with. No water to brush your teeth, to shower, flush the toilet, or do laundry with. No water to fight fires or to irrigate our food crops. Hospitals would close, schools would close, businesses would shut down. Around the world and even here in the United States, many communities are struggling without access to clean fresh water. They experience first-hand the difficulties of trying to go a day without water, a precious and limited resource that most of us in Hawai‘i take for granted. "Please click photo above to view video" October 10, 2018 is the annual “Imagine a Day Without Water”. This is the fourth annual day bringing attention to the importance of fresh water and appreciating its true value to our communities. For more information go to http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/ DLNR Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) Chairperson Suzanne Case says, “On this day, let us reflect on the importance of water in our lives and celebrate the people that work hard every day to provide us this life-giving resource — from the Department of Health, which carefully safeguards the quality of our drinking water, to the many water utilities that delivery water directly to our homes safely and reliably.” CWRM Deputy Director Jeffrey Pearson added, “Take a minute to consider the importance of water in your everyday life. Then, make a commitment to do your part to conserve this most precious of all our natural resources.” For easy, everyday tips on how to conserve water in your home, visit http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/cwrm/planning/conservation/ # # # (Resources) Video: credit Value of Water Campaign http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/resources/video Photographs: Akaka Falls credit DLNR https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rwqeqvb1mkbz5bz/AACE0OrpcoGc-ZYfXAXCsWoQa?dl=0 Drought images credit DLNR https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tdpc5x36x1kq988/AABc8qg5NSVbdyWyC_U-at0la?dl=0 Imagine a Day without Water logo https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tdpc5x36x1kq988/AABc8qg5NSVbdyWyC_U-at0la?dl=0 #DLNR #IMAGINEADAYWITHOUTWATER #CommissiononWaterResourceManagement #CWRM #SuzanneCase #JeffreyPearson #conservation #DepartmentofHealth #Imagineadaywithoutwater

Gov. Ige has signed a fourth supplementary proclamation to support Hawai‘i Island’s recovery from Kilauea Volcano’s lava flows and activity. This fourth supplementary proclamation once again extends the authority to spend state funds as appropriated to protect the health, safety and welfare of Hawai‘i county residents. The proclamation also supports the state’s effort to provide quick and efficient relief of suffering, damage, and losses that were caused by the lava flows and volcanic activity. Gov. Ige signed the initial emergency proclamation on May 3, the day the latest Kilauea eruption began. The first supplementary proclamation was issued on May 9, the second supplementary proclamation was signed on June 5, and the third on Aug. 3. The fourth supplementary proclamation extends the disaster emergency relief period until Dec. 1, 2018. #disaster #disasteremergency #Hawaiiisland #volcano #supplementaryproclamation #governorige #davidige #hawaii #Kilauea #KilaueaVolcano

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on October 3, 2018. The test was originally scheduled for September 20, 2018 but due to ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Florence, the alert test was moved to the secondary date option. A backup date is always planned in case of widespread severe weather or other significant events on the primary test date. FEMA and the nation’s emergency management community remain committed to the life-saving activities occurring through parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. The WEA portion of the test commences at 8:18 a.m. HST and the EAS portion follows at 8:20 a.m. HST. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed. Cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless carrier participates in WEAs should be capable of receiving the national test message and will receive the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Flash flood, AMBER Alert). This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones. Previous successful EAS national tests were conducted in September 2011, 2016 and 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency officials. The EAS test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and is made available to EAS participants including radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The WEA test message will read “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert system. No action is needed.” The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. It allows customers whose wireless provider participates in WEA and who own a WEA compatible wireless phone to receive geotargeted alerts of imminent threats to safety in their area through unique tones and vibration. The national WEA test will use the same special tone and vibration. #NATIONWIDETEST #EmergencyAlertSystem #WIRELESSEMERGENCYALERT #FederalEmergencyManagementAgency #FEMA #HurricaneFlorence #NationalWirelessEmergencyAlert #hawaii

A portable classroom at Ala Wai Elementary School has been transformed into the Jake Shimabukuro Clubhouse for Music Learning and Appreciation to enhance music education for students. Photo credit: KHON Known as “Jake’s Clubhouse,” the space is equipped with a range of instruments including more than 100 ukulele, a dozen guitars, four pianos and 15 percussion instruments, a mini recording studio, performance stage, classroom space and ukulele repair workshop. The ukulele virtuoso and Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner is a former student of Ala Wai Elementary and helped dedicate the classroom during a ceremony Tuesday along with the nonprofit Music for Life Foundation, which initiated the project. “Everything in there belongs to you. Get in there. Get inspired,” Shimabukuro told students gathered in the cafeteria for the announcement. “Whether or not we know it, we are all musicians. Music is the language of the universe. It helps us to communicate with each other. It helps us to connect with each other.” Ala Wai Principal Michelle DeBusca said the school, which already provides music education for students in all grade levels, envisions Jake’s Clubhouse serving as a resource center for students before, during and after school. “We want this room to be an inspiration and a place where students can come and explore. Teachers will sign up and use it as much as they want to,” DeBusca said. “Our teachers engage student curiosity and creativity to help our students figure out what their passions are.” Leo Daquioag, founder and president of Music for Life Foundation, said in addition to providing musical instruments, the clubhouse is designed to expose students to a range of careers in the music industry, including audio engineering, stage management and songwriting. “Our mission is to keep music alive in our schools and this is one of the ways to do it,” Daquioag said. The nonprofit organized sponsors to bring the clubhouse to life, including Kamaka Hawaii, Kala Brand Music Co., Shima Sound Studio and Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu. In recognition of the classroom dedication, Gov. David Ige proclaimed Sept. 30 to Oct. 6 “Music Learning and Appreciation Week” and Mayor Kirk Caldwell proclaimed Oct. 2 “Jake Shimabukuro Day.” #JakeShimabukuro #MusicforLifeFoundation #JakesClubhouse #AlaWaiElementary #MichelleDeBusca #LeoDaquioag #davidIge #kirkcaldwell #kamakahawaii #kamakaukulele #kalabrandmusic #ShimaSoundStudio #HardRockCafeHonolulu #Hawaii

Three Hawaii public school teachers are each vying for $100,000 in educational grants to fund innovative projects to engage students and enhance learning at their schools. Ryan Chatfield of Aiea High School, Leimamo Lind-Strauss of Ho‘okena Elementary School, and Zachary Morita of Niu Valley Middle School are among 15 finalists nationwide for the Thank America’s Teachers® Dream Big Teacher Challenge® sponsored by Farmers Insurance. The program awards more than $1 million annually in grants to teachers. The five finalists nationally who garner the most votes online from the public between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31 will each win $100,000 for their proposals. To vote, go to ThankAmericasTeachers.com and locate the Hawaii finalists. You may vote for each finalist once per day throughout the month of October. Here’s a look at Hawaii’s finalists and their grant pitches: Ryan Chatfield, a health science teacher at Aiea High, envisions developing the Health Science Student Development Center at her school. An existing building would be renovated and transformed into a center where students can gain experience and explore the healthcare field with professionals, learn clinical skills and teach important health skills to the community. The community would benefit from increased access to, and knowledge about, healthcare. Leimamo Lind-Strauss, a third-grade teacher at Ho‘okena Elementary on the Big Island, envisions creating a telescope observatory at her school. The observatory would serve as a centralized classroom for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, and Math (STEAM), and allow students to study the skies with hands-on astronomy. The observatory would host family nights to engage the community. Zachary Morita, a music teacher at Niu Valley Middle, envisions creating the Niu Valley Music Olympic Invitational. The event would bring together student and professional musicians from various instrumental mediums to perform in a live competitive setting. The competition would provide opportunities for students to be recognized for their hard work and talents while also enriching the community. “We are proud and excited to support our three teachers in the running for these highly sought-after grants to help enrich the learning environments at their schools and engage students,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. “I encourage all of our HIDOE ʻohana — teachers, students, parents, staff — and everyone in our communities to vote online daily through October to make these grants a reality for Ryan, Leimamo, Zachary and their students. Last year's winner, Stevenson Middle science teacher Patricia Morgan, shows Hawaii has what it takes to win.” Farmers Insurance reviewed hundreds of proposals from teachers nationwide before selecting 15 finalists through a competitive review process to advance to the public voting phase. The insurer expects to announce the five winners in December. “These teachers embody everything we celebrate on World Teacher’s Day October 5 and I urge the Hawaii community and the entire nation to vote to help make their big dreams a reality,” said Melanie Joseph, marketing manager for Farmers Insurance Hawaii. ### About the Hawaii State Department of Education The Hawaii State Department of Education is the 10th largest U.S. school district and the only statewide educational system in the country. It is comprised of 256 schools and 36 charter schools, and serves about 180,000 students. King Kamehameha III established Hawaii’s public school system in 1840. To learn more, visit HawaiiPublicSchools.org. #TheHawaiiDepartmentofEducation #BigDreams #ZacharyMorita #NiuValleyMiddleSchool #RyanChatfield #AieaHighSchool #LeimamoLindStrauss #HookenaElementarySchool #ThankAmericasTeachersDreamBigTeacherChallen #FarmersInsurance #DreamBigTeacherChallenge #ChristinaKishimoto #HIDOE #StevensonMiddleSchool #PatriciaMorgan #FarmersInsuranceMelanieJosept #Hawaii

As National Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, the American Cancer Society says remarkable progress against the disease should not obscure the significant challenges remaining. The Facts: Thanks to largely stable incidence rates, improved treatment, as well as earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, a woman's risk of dying of breast cancer dropped 39 percent between the late 1980s and 2015, translating into more than 300,000 breast cancer deaths avoided during that time. Despite that progress, there's much more to be done. Breast cancer is still the second-leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer. There is still a large racial gap in mortality, with African-American women having higher death rates compared to whites, even as incidence rates are similar. The American Cancer Society's estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2018 are: About 266,120 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. About 63,960 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer). About 40,920 women will die from breast cancer. While black and white women get breast cancer at roughly the same rate, the mortality rate is 42% higher among black women than white women. At this time, there are more than 3.1 million people with a history of breast cancer in the United States. (This includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.) Risk factors: Numerous studies have confirmed that alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer in women by about 7%-10% for each one drink of alcohol consumed per day on average. Women who have 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day have a 20 percent higher risk of breast cancer compared to non-drinkers. Obesity increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. Risk is about 1.5 times higher in overweight women and about 2 times higher in obese women than in lean women. Growing evidence suggests that women who get regular physical activity have a 10%-25% lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who are inactive, with stronger evidence for postmenopausal than premenopausal women. Limited but accumulating research indicates that smoking may slightly increase breast cancer risk, particularly long-term, heavy smoking and among women who start smoking before their first pregnancy. If you or someone you love are concerned about developing breast cancer, has been recently diagnosed, are going through treatment, or are trying to stay well after treatment, the American Cancer Society provides important information on these topics and more. What the American Cancer Society is Doing The ACS currently funds 155 multi-year grants focused on breast cancer totaling $60.2 million. We have played a key role in many of the advances against breast cancer, including funding early work that eventually led to the development of tamoxifen and Herceptin. Join us and help save lives from breast cancer: Fund-raise and participate in one of more than 250 Making Strides events or participate virtually at makingstrideswalk.org. The American Cancer Society's nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is also working to make fighting breast cancer a national priority. ACS CAN is committed to ensuring that all women have the opportunity to receive lifesaving cancer screenings and services. Working in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., ACS CAN advocates for adequate funding for early detection programs that provide access to affordable breast cancer screenings and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured women. To learn more about ACS CAN's advocacy work and to help make fighting breast cancer a priority in your community, visit acscan.org/makingstrides. SOURCE American Cancer Society For further information: Kathi Di Nicola, 651.276.9992, Kathi.dinicola@cancer.org #breastcancer #breastcancerawarness #americancancersociety #makingstrideswalk #AmericanCancerSocietyCancerActionNetwork #ACSCAN #NationalBreastCancerAwarenessMonth