September 27th is proclaimed “PIGS FROM THE SEA DAY” in Hawai’i. The Aloha State celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Pigs from the Sea, honoring the Okinawan community in the Hawaiian Islands for their efforts in continuing the spirit of yuimaaru and aloha today, and recognizing those who did their part in bridging two cultures and two islands together. In 1948, the Hawaii Okinawan community banded together to help the people of Okinawa after the devastation of WWII. They raised over $50,000 (today, that would be about half a million) and sent over 550 pigs from Omaha, Nebraska (via Portland, Oregon) on the USS John Owen. Seven men were sent to keep the pigs alive. One month later, the pigs arrived in Okinawa. The pigs were distributed across the islands. Okinawans today still talk of the pigs that came across the sea and how much this life saving gift of aloha changed their lives. This story is about yuimaaru. Communities supporting one another, especially in times of need. It is a reminder for all of us to live yuimaaru, in both small and big endeavors and decisions. (Mahalo Shari Tamashiro) Pigs shipped by Japanese immigrants in Hawaii arrive at a port in Okinawa Prefecture in September 1948. | URUMA BOARD OF EDUCATION / KYODO Proclamation Reads: WHEREAS, in 1945, Allied Forces launched an invasion of the island of Okinawa in what would become the final and bloodiest battle of the war in the Pacific where thousands of soldiers and civilians were killed, and both land and livelihoods were ravaged; and WHEREAS, in 1947, despite difficult economic times in Hawai’i, a group of Okinawans decided to help their kin across the ocean by raising $47,196 in six months to purchase and ship 550 pigs to help alleviate the severe food shortages; and WHEREAS, in August 1948, seven Okinawan men from Hawai’i, along with the crew of the USS Owen, set sail from Oregon but encountered a severe storm that destroyed the makeshift pigsties and resulted in some pigs being lost overboard; and WHEREAS, on the USS Owen’s second attempt at a 6,069-mile journey through multiple storms, 536 pigs arrived at White Beach, Okinawa on September 27, 1948; and WHEREAS, since pork is a staple food in Okinawa, the shipment of pigs helped Okinawans to restart pig farms for sustenance and saved hundreds of lives, and the gift has since become a symbol of the strong relationship between Okinawa and Hawai’i; and WHEREAS, in Okinawan culture, the practice of yuimaaru is the act of being part of something greater than yourself, giving comfort to others with a warm heart, which today goes hand in hand with the spirit of aloha; and WHEREAS,yuimaaru was at the core of a life-saving shipment of the “Pigs from the Sea” which was an unforgettable humanitarian effort after World War II; THEREFORE I, DAVID Y. IGE, Governor, and I, DOUGLAS S. CHIN, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai’i, do hereby proclaim September 27, 2018 as “PIGS FROM THE SEA DAY” in Hawai’i and ask the people of the Aloha State to join us in celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Pigs from the Sea, honoring the Okinawan community in the Hawaiian Islands for their efforts in continuing the spirit of yuimaaru and aloha today, and recognizing those who did their part in bridging two cultures and two islands together. Done at the State Capitol, in Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawai’i, this fifth day of September 2018. * PIGS FROM THE SEA DAY PROCLAMATION *Japan Times: Hawaii Pig shipment after the war to be memorialized in Okinawa #governorige #pigsfromthesea #WorldWarII #dougchin #okinawa #okinawan #whitebeach #pig #japantimes #pigshipment

Name: 2018 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony Date: Friday, September 21, 2018 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM HST Place: National Cemetery of the Pacific 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813 Americans pause on this special day to remember and acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of U.S. military personnel who, in heeding our Nation’s call to arms, forfeited their individual freedoms as prisoners of war, or lost their lives and remain missing. The ceremony recognizes the sacrifices of our prisoners of war and missing personnel, and their families, as well as DPAA’s commitment to account for those still missing. About National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. In 1998, the National Defense Authorization Act further strengthened the importance of the day by officially designating it as one of the six days per year that the POW/MIA flag is required to be flown at designated federal government locations. A national-level ceremony is held on every National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Traditionally held at the Pentagon, it features members from each branch of military service and participation from high-ranking officials. In addition to the national-level ceremony, observances of National POW/MIA Recognition Day are held across the globe on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veterans' facilities. No matter where they are held, these National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies share the common purpose of honoring those who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing. For more information about National POW/MIA Recognition Day, review www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call (808) 448-4500, ext. 3150/3127/3161 2018 State of Hawai'i Proclamation National POW/MIA Recognition Day Toolkit Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency #NationalPOWMIARecognitionDay #DPAA #NationalDefenseAuthorizationAct #NationalCemeteryofthePacific

National Rehabilitation Awareness Week is a time to acknowledge the many benefits that can arise from rehab programs. It highlights the positive impact that these services make in the lives of people in need and that every person deserves to live their life to the fullest. Rehab can benefit a person physically, mentally, and spiritually. Whether someone is undergoing inpatient care following a major surgery or attends a therapy session once a week to correct a minor issue, rehab services are there to help be a guide on the road to recovery. The mission of the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation (NRAF) is to educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation, develop programs which aim to increase opportunities for the nearly fifty million Americans with disabilities, and help those who are disabled live up to their fullest potential. The NRAF was established in 1996 by Allied Services, a not-for-profit integrated health system headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Allied Services, since 1976, has served as sponsors of National Rehabilitation Week (Rehab Week, for short), a nationwide celebration to educate people about the benefits of rehabilitation and the capabilities of people with disabilities. The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation strives to highlight the positive impact that these services have in the lives of children, adults, and older adults alike. Proclamation may be read here. #NationalRehabilitationAwarenessWeek #rehab #hawaiisenate

WEST MAUI LEGISLATORS HOLD INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR FARMERS AFFECTED BY WILD FIRES AND FLOODING DUE TO LANE AND OLIVIA WHO: Representative Angus McKelvey, Senator Rosalyn Baker, and representatives from the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture WHAT: Information meeting for Farmers and Farm Businesses impacted by fires and flooding due to Lane and Olivia WHEN: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. WHERE: Lahaina Intermediate School – School Cafeteria 871 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761 Rep. Angus L.K. McKelvey (West Maui, Mā‘alaea, North Kīhei) and Sen. Rosalyn H. Baker (South and West Maui) will host an informational outreach event for farmers and other agricultural businesses impacted by the recent series of wild fires in West Maui due to Lane and the flooding incurred by Olivia. Federal and State Agriculture officials will be on hand with information and advice on financial and rebuilding assistance for farmers and farm businesses impacted by the recent fire and flooding. #westmaui #lane #olivia #HurricaneLane #TropicalStormOlivia #angusmckelvey #rozbaker #senatorbaker #repmckelvey #lahaina #lahainaintermediate

HONOLULU — 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 September 20, 2018 (primary date) or October 3, 2018 (secondary date). 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. Tornado Warning, 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. #HawaiiEmergencyManagementAgency #HIEMA #FEMA #FederalEmergencyManagementAgency #WirelessEmergencyAlert #EmergencyAlertSystem #hawaiiSenate

All public schools and Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) offices will be open tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 13 except for Kilohana Elementary. All afterschool activities will resume statewide. “We will continue to work with county and state partners to monitor the weather through the night for Maui County and Kauai. If there are any updates for these areas, we will let the public know right away,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. “Our schools were able to get through the storm largely in great shape; however, certain areas have family homes that were highly impacted. We appreciate everyone’s support and patience, and urge our school communities to remain vigilant through the rest of Hurricane Season.” HIDOE will continue to provide updates about cancellations and closures on our website and social media — Twitter and Facebook. Parents are encouraged to work with their child’s school to ensure they have the most up-to-date contact information for their household. Families of students in charter schools are asked to contact their schools directly to learn about closures, or visit the Public Charter School Commission’s website. As of 5 p.m. this evening, Olivia continues to weaken and move away from the state. Tropical Storm Warnings for Oahu and Maui County have been discontinued. For more information, visit the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's website. #hidoe #kilohanaelementary #christinakishimoto #PublicCharterSchoolCommission #MauiCountyOfficeofEconomicDevelopment #oahustatemilitaryouth #olivia

HONOLULU - The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) advises parents and guardians that public school schedules and afterschool programming may be modified across the islands this week as Hurricane Olivia approaches the state. Effective Tuesday, Sept. 11, all afterschool activities and programs, including interscholastic athletic events and After-School Plus (A+) Programs, will be canceled on the Big Island and Maui County. Click here to view today's letter to parents. The only school closure currently in effect Tuesday will be for Hana High and Elementary School. As the situation evolves, HIDOE will continue to provide updates about cancellations and closures on our website and social media — Twitter and Facebook. Parents are encouraged to work with their child’s school to ensure they have the most up-to-date contact information for their household. Families of students in charter schools are asked to contact their schools directly to learn about closures, or visit the Public Charter School Commission’s website. “We appreciate the scheduling difficulties that school-related cancellations can have, so we ask our parents and guardians to remain flexible and to check HIDOE’s website for the latest updates throughout this week,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto. “The safety of our students and staff is the highest priority and will guide any decision to alter school schedules.” Should the need arise for public evacuation shelters during this event, HIDOE will work with emergency agencies to facilitate the use of designated campuses for shelter space. The National Weather Service expects Hurricane Olivia to bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and high surf to parts of the state this week. Olivia is forecast to close in on the islands Tuesday and move over portions of the island chain Tuesday night and Wednesday, with Maui and the Big Island experiencing the first impacts. #afterschool #HIDOE #Afterschoolprogram #nationalweatherservice #hurricaneolivia #olivia #ChristinaKishimoto

HONOLULU – Gov. Ige signed an emergency proclamation that will provide relief for disaster damages, losses and suffering caused by Hurricane Olivia. Even if Olivia arrives as a Tropical Storm, as predicted, Hawai‘i is in danger of experiencing high winds, heavy rains, high surf, storm surges and flooding that threaten to harm communities and cause extensive damage to public and private property across the state. The proclamation declares the counties of Hawai‘i, Maui, Kalawao, Kaua‘i and the City and County of Honolulu disaster areas for the purpose of implementing emergency management functions. The proclamation also authorizes the expenditure of state monies as appropriated for the speedy and efficient relief of damages, losses, and suffering resulting from Hurricane Olivia. “We’re monitoring this storm closely and taking steps now to ensure that we’re prepared for its impacts to the state. A tropical storm could bring heavy rain and flooding, especially in places that are saturated from previous storms. Now is the time to prepare,” said Gov. David Ige. The emergency proclamation expires on September 17, 2018. #hawaiisenate #governorige #hurricaneolivia #emergencyproclamation

The 2018 Hawaiʻi Health Workforce Summit runs from 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 8 until 5 p.m., in the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Beach Resort in Waikīkī. The summit is one of the largest local medical gatherings in the Aloha State, and is expected to attract some 600 participants from all healthcare fields in Hawai‘i, including Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathy, Dentists, Allied Health professionals, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants and health office managers. The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), Hawaiʻi Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health sponsor the event. The 2018 theme is “From Burnout to Balance.” Kelley Withy, MD, PhD and JABSOM AHEC Director, will provide the latest results of her long-running Hawaiʻi Health Workforce Report. The Hawaiʻi/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center (AHEC) has established a database of actively practicing non-military physicians in Hawaiʻi. Her group surveys physicians each time they renew their medical licenses. The licensing fees paid by physicians support Dr. Withy’s efforts collecting the latest information and analyzing it, and presenting it as a detailed annual report to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature showing where shortages in physician and advanced practice nurses are most severe, and in what specialties of service. Already, Hawaiʻi is approximately 700 physicians short of what a similar community has on the mainland, and this could grow to 1,500 in 10 years. The summit will cover topics including resources for expanding reimbursement, the growing use of telehealth, medicine for geriatric patients, interprofessional practices and the importance of — and what can be done to improve — healthcare provider happiness. Participants are encouraged to network with colleagues and meet potential future colleagues both MD and Nursing students and MD and DO Residents and Fellows. The summit website is at http://www.ahec.hawaii.edu/2018-hawaii-health-workforce-summit/ Previous Physician Workforce Assessment Data can be found at: http://www.ahec.hawaii.edu/workforce/ #HEALTHWORKFORCESUMMIT2018 #HEALTHWORKFORCESUMMIT #HawaiʻiPacificBasinAreaHealthEducationCenter #AHEC #JOHNABURNS #jabsom #DOH #HawaiiStateDepartmentofHealth

(Hilo) – The DLNR Division of State Parks, in consultation with other DLNR divisions and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency is reopening MacKenzie State Recreation Area (SRA) in Lower Puna on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. The park had been closed since shortly after the beginning of the East Rift Zone eruption in early May. While the park is reopening, there are continuing restrictions for people traveling across recent lava flows to reach the shoreline at Pohoiki. The route traverses through a portion of the Malama Kī Forest Reserve, which was also closed for several months, and over state unencumbered land. The forest reserve, also closed for several months due to eruptive activity, is reopening simultaneously with MacKenzie SRA. A safety buffer of 50 meters from recent lava flows in the forest reserve will be maintained until further notice. Anyone venturing into the restricted zone is still subject to citation or arrest for loitering in a disaster zone. More than 90 people were cited over the course of several months when the entire area had been declared off-limits. Gordon Heit, the Hawai‘i island Land Agent with the DLNR Land Division warned, “We expect a significant number of people will be wanting to explore the newly created beaches on the unencumbered lands north of MacKenzie SRA. People need to use extreme caution when approaching the water. In some locations, steep, unstable cliffs were formed by recent lava flows and they drop into very deep water where ocean currents are very unpredictable.” Hikers, sightseers and ocean recreationists should carry ample water, have sun protection and wear sturdy footwear to cross over the rough and uneven ground from MacKenzie to Pohoiki. The state boat ramp at Pohoiki was never closed during the eruption, but is currently cut off from the ocean by a new black sand beach. Officials from the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) plan to assess conditions at Pohoiki again next week to determine whether in the future the boat ramp can be used again or begin making plans to build a new ramp at another location along the lower Puna coast. The construction of a new ramp is dependent on funding and road access to the shoreline. Lava Tree State Monument, closer to Fissure #8, remains closed and will need significant repairs to make it safe after earthquakes associated with volcanic activity cracked sidewalks and potentially damaged the park’s water system, leaving comfort stations inoperable. DLNR State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell said, “We are reopening MacKenzie SRA and it is anticipated that many people will use it as the gateway to hike to Pohoiki. We strongly encourage anyone making this trip to be completely self-sufficient and well prepared. The landscape has changed in dramatic and still unknown ways and folks need to be very cautious and pay attention to the terrain.” # # # RESOURCES (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) HD video-MacKenzie SRA, Pohoiki Boat Ramp, Issac Hale Park, Lava Tree State Monument, Lower Puna coastline and Fissure #8 (July 7, 2018): https://vimeo.com/280465677 #DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #DLNR #GordonHeit #Pohoiki #LavaTreeStateMonument #Fissure8 #CurtCottrell #MackKenzieSRA #hawaiisenate #Puna #eastriftzone #malamakiforestreserve

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has asked the President of the United States to declare a major disaster for the State of Hawai‘i as a result of the impacts from Hurricane Lane. This includes floods and wildfires that occurred as a result of the hurricane, from Aug. 22 to Aug. 29, 2018. “The magnitude and severity of the disaster requires federal assistance. This exceeds the state’s response capability and it has impacted local governments,” said Gov. Ige. The governor is requesting the authorization of the Public Assistance Grant Program, the full complement of Individual Assistance programs, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance program for Hawai‘i County and Maui County. In addition, Gov. Ige is requesting the Hazard Mitigation Grant program statewide, and 100 percent federal funding for a 72-hour period in the initial days of the disaster. To access the following documents click here: • Declaration Request Cover Letter • Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration Major Disaster or Emergency • Enclosure A Individual Assistance Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment • Enclosure B Public Assistance – Cost Estimate Summary Spreadsheet • Enclosure C Estimated Assistance from Other Federal Agency Programs • Enclosure E National Weather Service Reports (No enclosure D) • Photos of damage #governorige #hurricanelane #hwaiistate #smallbusinessadministration

HONOLULU – The Judicial Selection Commission has submitted the names of six nominees for the judicial vacancy in the Intermediate Court of Appeals, State of Hawai‘i. The position has been vacant since Associate Judge Lisa M. Ginoza was elevated to the position of Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in April 2018. The commission has investigated the backgrounds and qualifications of the applicants and has submitted the list of nominees to Gov. David Ige. David M. Forman, 52, is currently the director of the Environmental Law Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Forman attended UH Mānoa and Harvard College before receiving his Juris Doctor at the William S. Richardson School of Law at UH Mānoa. While at Harvard College, Forman was a National Merit Scholar and a member of the Ivy League varsity football championship team of 1987. Keith K. Hiraoka, 59, is a Judge with the First Circuit Court, State of Hawai‘i. He is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa, and the Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley, California. Judge Hiraoka has also been an attorney in practice for 33 years, a USSF soccer referee and a musician. He is a member of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court Permanent Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure and Circuit Court Civil Rules. He is also a member of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court Civil Justice Improvements Task Force. Geoffrey K. S. Komeya, 52, is an attorney/shareholder at Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, Attorneys at Law. He is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, where he earned a B.A. and M.A in English. Komeya earned his Juris Doctor at the William S. Richardson School of Law, where he also was an adjunct professor from 2004-2005. Karen T. Nakasone, 48, is currently a Judge in the First Circuit Court. She attended the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan and Bryn Mawr College where she earned a B.A. in Political Science. Judge Nakasone earned her J.D. at the Boston University School of Law. She was a congressional intern for U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, and the recipient of the 1989 Okinawan Prefectural Government Scholarship. John M. Tonaki, 58, is a public defender with the State of Hawai‘i. He earned a B.A. at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa before attending Hastings College of Law at the University of California where he earned his Juris Doctor. Tonaki was the director of the Mānoa Youth Baseball League from 2004-2009. Clyde J. Wadsworth, 60, is the solicitor general of the State of Hawai‘i, Department of the Attorney General. He earned a B.A. in politics at Princeton University and his Juris Doctor at the UCLA School of Law. Wadsworth served as president of the Hawai‘i LGBT Legal Association, and was pro bono counsel for the ACLU of Hawai‘i. Gov. Ige has until Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 to make his selection. #hawaiijudiciary #JudicialSelectionCommission #StateofHawaii #DavidForman #KeithHiraoka #GeoffreyKomeya #KarenNakasone #JohnTnaki #ClydeWadsworth #GovernorIge #LisaGinoza #hawaiisenatemajority #hawaiisenate