The Aloha United Way (AUW) and the Institute for Human Services (IHS) were recognized by the Hawai‘i State Senate for their important work to combat homelessness statewide, and specifically for their collaboration with the Coordinated Statewide Homeless Initiative (CSHI). In 2014, the CSHI program served 1,500 households, 4,600 individuals, and court evictions dropped by 25 percent on O’ahu alone. In the State of Hawai‘I, 47 percent of those homeless households were families with children, 64 percent were at risk of becoming homeless, and many of Hawai‘i’s citizens are just two or three months away from becoming homeless. AUW and IHS work vigilantly to aid individuals and families in need of a multitude of services. Recognized for AUW was Cindy Adams, President; Jay King, Program Manager; and Norm Baker, COO. From the words of one recipient, this program “Has given me a release of the burden of trying to maintain housing I couldn’t have afforded alone. It has provided me with a clean, affordable home for myself and my daughter, along with renewed hope in myself and strength to go on trying to move forward in life—it has given me all of that.” Connie Mitchell, Executive Director, and Kimo Carvalho, Director of Community Relations were present for the Institute for Human Services. IHS is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive human services agency in Hawai‘i, founded exclusively on preventing and ending homelessness. In FY 2016, IHS housed 1,654 homeless individuals and delivered homeless services to over 5,000 people. Both organizations were honored for their continued compassion and spirit of innovation to all members of our community. #BrickwoodGaluteria #michellekidani #Glennwakai #willespero #russellruderman #BreeneHarimoto #DonovanDelaCruz #karlrhoads #DonnaKim #mikegabbard #JillTokuda #rozbaker #gilriviere #KaiKahele #joshgreen #clarencenishihara #JKalaniEnglish #BrianTaniguchi #ronkouchi #laurathielen #maileshimabukuro #stanleychang #GilKeithAgaran #cindyadams #jayking #normbaker #conniemitchell #kimocarvalho #InstituteforHumanServices #IHS

As part of Education Week at the Capitol, the state’s outstanding public school teachers and schools were recognized, along with Hawai‘i students who are making a difference in our community. The three Hawai‘i teachers selected this year as Milken Family Foundation Educators represent the best and brightest of our public school instructors, are awarded grants and become a part of an exclusive group of Milken Educator alumni. The Milken Award is one of the most prestigious awards an educator can earn. It has been described as the “Oscars of education.” This year’s winners are: Kelly Sutcliffe, Jefferson Elementary School Kelly Sutcliffe is a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary and has used inventive and original means to teach Jefferson Elementary fourth graders to solve real-world problems. Ms. Sutcliffe adapts her dynamic teaching style to meet students’ personal interests to boost engagement using a variety of visuals, empirical learning tasks, group discussions and physical activity to make each lesson resonate. She is a hands on teacher working side by side with each student to monitor their progress and works with parents as partners in each student’s education, making them key factors that can enable even greater success. Additionally, Sutcliffe is a mentor to future teachers studying at the university level to help them prepare for their careers. Masaru Uchino, Momilani Elementary School “Mr. Uchino is truly outstanding and amazing teacher who has, year after year, gone beyond just teaching students in the classroom,” said Sen. Breene Harimoto. Mr. Uchino created the Momilani Drama program in which he writes, produces, choreographs, and directs a new original curriculum-based play each year. He also developed and leads the Momilani Fit Club that incorporates a nutrition and exercise program for students in grades 3-6. Kaitlyn Huff, Kaala Elementary School “Teachers of Promise” Kaitlyn Huff was honored state winner of this prestigious award in only her third semester of teaching. Miss Huff strives to broaden her students’ experiences with fun, hands on learning activities that extend into the community and connect with community members. Her students’ growth rate in English Language Arts/Literacy and Math subjects are the highest in the school and among the highest in the 42 schools in the Central Oahu District. She is also recipient of the District Teacher of Promise Award. Blue Ribbon Schools of Achievement in Hawai‘i The US Department of Education recognizes elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making improvements in closing the achievement gap between high needs students and their peers. Noelani Elementary School Located in Mānoa Valley and led by Principal Rochelle Mahoe, Ph.D., Noelani students are encouraged to think independently and creatively; to participate, challenge, and persevere in the classroom and community; and develop into life-long learners who will contribute to our society. This is the second time Noelani has been so honored – in 2001, the school was also selected and recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Helemano Elementary School Helemano Elementary School in Whitmore Village is categorized as a “recognition” school, the highest category on the Dept. of Education’s school accountability system known as Strive HI which recognizes schools for various achievements including standardized test scores and reducing chronic absenteeism. Helemano, under the leadership of Principal Ernest Muh, provides opportunities for students beyond traditional core subjects, including fine arts, physical education, music and social emotional learning. Prudential Spirit of Community Award The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program is the nation’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. The 2017 award winners are: Emma Tandara, ‘Ewa Makai Middle School Emma Tandara’s efforts to promote recycling at her school is motivated by her grandmother, whom she would volunteer with until her grandmother’s passing. When Emma joined her school’s leadership team, she spearheaded a music video explaining the school’s new green initiatives. The video would later be shown to over 300 educators statewide. In total, Emma led a recycling sorting game at three elementary schools, helped coordinate two community recycling drives, and demonstrated how to turn old t-shirts into bags at an emergency preparedness fair. Lisa Kam, Maryknoll School Lisa Kam is a senior at Maryknoll School. Lisa was selected as the 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Distinguished Finalist for creating the "Family Oriented Cultural Understanding Study" also known as FOCUS, which drew teens and their parents to a series of genealogy workshops to help trace their Chinese roots. Lisa created the initiative as part of her volunteer work with Projects Inspired by Teens Changing Hawai‘i. She worked with the Hawai‘i Chinese History Center to secure a speaker. Lisa also contacted schools and Chinese clubs to recruit participants and obtained an in-kind grant for materials and supplies. Evan Liu, Punahou School Evan Liu is currently a junior at Punahou School, and is an active volunteer, whose service activities have included keeping patients company at Kuakini Hospital, serving as a teacher's assistant, and as translator at the International Hospitality Center. One of Evan's projects include working with friends to raise $1,000 for cleft lip surgeries through Smile Train. Evan is currently exploring a career in dentistry, and has collected 1,000 toothbrushes for people in need in Guatemala. With all the projects he is involved with, he still finds time volunteering as an assistant at a dental office. Cierra Nakamura, ‘Iolani School Cierra Nakamura is a senior at Iolani School and created her philanthropic organization “Smiles Across Miles” after learning about the plight of families in Nepal who suffer economically and are unable to afford proper dental care. She collected thousands of toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste to send to Nepal and also created a demonstration video for Nepali students. Her next effort was to collect not only dental supplies, but also school supplies for an orphanage in Vietnam. Her Smiles Across Miles program continues to serve: just last month she sent 1,400 toothbrushes and toothpaste with the Aloha Medical Mission to the Philippines. Cierra wants to be a doctor and plans to pursue a career in public health. Student of Excellence The Student of Excellence Award honors the student who manages to maintain exemplary grades while balancing participation in school programs and extra-curricular activities. This year’s winner is: Kacie Kajihara, Kalani High School Kacie Kajihara is currently a Senior at Kalani High School and has a GPA of 4.125 and has a perfect 36/36 ACT score. She is the President of the school's Leo Club, an athlete on the school's varsity soft tennis team, and a member of the Hawai‘i Youth Symphony and Kalani High School Band playing the oboe and English horn. In 2016, she placed second in the FFA National Argiscience Fair in Plant Science, she is the first top three finalist for Hawai‘i in over 50 years. Even with her academic achievements and extracurricular activities she still manages to hold a part time job at the Diamond Head Aquatics as an accounting assistant. # # # #Glennwakai #michellekidani #clarencenishihara #BrickwoodGaluteria #mikegabbard #stanleychang #DonnaKim #BreeneHarimoto #rozbaker #rhoades #JKalaniEnglish #gilriviere #lorraineinouye #ronkouchi #RonKouchi #willespero #russellruderman #GilbertKeithAgaran #JillTokuda #BrianTaniguchi #laurathielen #joshgreen #maileshimabukuro #DonovanDelaCruz #KaiKahele #KacifKajihara #kalanihighschool #StudentofExcellence #CierraNakamura #IolaniSchool #EvanLiu #PunahouSchool #LisaLam #MaryknollSchool #emmaTandara #EwaMakaiMiddleSchool #prudentialspiritofcommunityaward #HelemanoElementary

Education Week 2017 at the State Capitol kicked off with a salute to the Department of Education’s outstanding teachers, the first of a series of formal presentation ceremonies in the Senate Chambers celebrating the successes in the classroom and community. Hawai’i’s public school teachers number just over 12,000. The eight recognized today on the floor of the Senate were chosen through a rigorous selection process that includes the teacher’s ability to inspire students to learn; to have earned respect among students, parents, and peers; to be active in the community as well as school; and to be able to perform the task of representing the teaching profession nationally and internationally. State Department of Education Teachers of the Year: • Sung Man Park, State (and Honolulu District) Teacher of the Year Sung Man Park is a math teacher at Washington Middle School and coaches the school’s MATHCOUNTS team since 2010. Every year since, his team has won the state championship. He has been teaching in the public schools for 12 years and through math, Park develops a love of learning and resilience that is essential for student success in school and life. • Kay Beach, Public Charter Schools Teacher of the Year Kay Beach is an English Language Arts and Project-Based Learning teacher at SEEQS who creates safe spaces for her students to develop their minds through openness, empathy and value learning. She believes education is the gateway to developing a generation of individuals who create and live in a world of discovery. • Luane Higuchi, Leeward District Teacher of the Year Luane Higuchi leads the award winning digital media program at Wai‘anae Intermediate School. She challenges her students to surpass their own expectations with successful results. Higuchi also has opened new opportunities for her students by coordinating the Wai‘anae Coast Film Festival and launching a new video contest, Na Hana Pookela o Wai‘anae. • Jennifer Suzuki, Maui District Teacher of the Year Jennifer Suzuki is a 17-year teacher who seeks performance-based, real-work opportunities for her students. She has worked to expand the STEM programs at Maui Waena Intermediate to include gardening, coding, media, and robotics. She also produces and invites the community to an annual Technology Bazaar that showcases the talents of her students in video, robotics, and other projects. • Tracey Idica, Central District Teacher of the Year Tracey Idica is a 34-year teacher certified in English Language Arts instructor at Aiea High School who encourages her students to “dream big and make a difference.” She sets the stage for success with her students through the TRIBES agreements: mutual respect, attentive listening, right to participate/pass, appreciations/no put downs. • Kristi Kusunoki, Windward District Teacher of the Year Kristi Kusunoki is a 10-year music instructor at Kailua Intermediate School and believes through music, students learn to become contributing members of society. Kusunoki organizes musical events to increase music literacy and to highlight the talents of her students. While improving their technical skills, she also works to develop their ability to recognize and respond to each other as they play, which elevates their performance. • Laurie Ann O’Brien, Hawaii Island District Teacher of the Year Laurie Ann O’Brien is a mathematics teacher at Keaau High School and much more. O’Brien is also an afterschool track and field coach and she worked with community individuals and stores to sponsor shoes, clothes and snacks when she learned that many of her students lacked the “basics.” She is currently pioneering a new computer science course to further her students’ understanding of and preparation for the real world. • David Mireles, Kauai District Teacher of the Year David Mireles is a 26-year teacher and coach at Kapaa High School is praised by colleagues, students and parents for his enthusiastic, consistent, and innovative approach on education. He works to inspire all his students, even the most reluctant learners and his mantra is equal educational access for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, perceived ability, or documented disability. Pictured: Luane Higuchi, Leeward District, Buffy Cashman Patz on behalf of Kay Beach, Public Charter Schools. # # # #joshgreen #willespero #BrickwoodGaluteria #mikegabbard #BreeneHarimoto #LesIhara #donnamercadokim #GilbertKeithAgaran #stanleychang #MaileShimabukuro #michellekidani #laurathielen #Glennwakai #BrianTaniguchi #RonKouchi #kaikahele #clarencenishihara #RoderickBaker #DonovanDelaCruz #JillTokuda #WilliamEspero #russellruderman #lorraineinouye #gilriviere #JKalaniEnglish #karlrhoads #DavidMireles #laurieannobrien #kristikusunoki #traceyidica #jennifersuzuki #luanehiguchi #kaybeach #sungmanpark #educationweek2017 #MichelleKidani

The Hawaiʻi State Senate recognized Hawaiʻi’s ocean safety officers statewide for their hard work and dedication in keeping the people of Hawaiʻi and our visitors safe every day. These outstanding ocean men and women perform 4,500 rescues each year, with over 1.5 million preventive actions, across hundreds of miles of coastline. Known as the best lifeguards in the world, and often going above the call of duty, these men and women make an important impact in the health and well-being for both our residents and visitors. The ocean safety officers recognized on the floor included Hawai’i County Battalion Chief, Gerald Kosaki; Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau Director, Kalani Vierra; Maui Battalion Chief of Ocean Safety, Colin Yamamoto; City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Operations Chief, Kevin Allen; as well as Director Jim Howe, Deputy Director Ian Santee, and Maui Fire Chief Jeff Murray. The history of ocean safety services dates back to the first Government-run lifeguard services at Waikiki beach in 1912 with two lifeguards operating under the Territorial Board of Harbors and Commissioners. Today, the water safety departments on every island are staffed full-time with highly trained men and women who are responsible for keeping our residents and visitors safe. “The Ocean Safety Officers of Hawai'i County, Kaua'i County, Maui County, and the City and County of Honolulu continue to be challenged with maintaining service levels as both resident and visitor population increases with a contingent increase in ocean activity,” said Senator Laura Thielen (Dist. 25 - Kailua, Lanikai, Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills, Maunawili, Waimanalo, Hawai‘i Kai, Portlock), co-convener for the Outdoor Heritage Caucus. “We applaud their hard work and dedication and are privileged to honor them today.” # # # #OceanSafetyOfficers #Lifeguard #GeraldKosaki #KalaniVierra #ColinYamamoto #KevinAllen #JimHowe #IanSantee #JeffMurray #MauiCounty #KauaiCounty #ronkouchi #kaikahele #mikegabbard #stanleychang #donnamercadokim #Lesiharajr #maileshimabukuro #rozbaker #russellruderman #gilriviere #karlrhoads #lorraineinouye #willespero #laurathielen #briantaniguchi #michellekidani #joshgreen #clarencenishihara #hawaiisenate

Members of the Senate today recognized the Hawai‘i State Board of Nursing for the significant role it has played in defining the scope of practice while continually promoting improvements for the nursing profession for the past 100 years. Former Governor Lucius E. Pinkham of the Territory of Hawai‘i signed Act 163 of 1917 entitled “To Provide for the Registration of Nurses” which served to standardize and enforce nursing requirements. Over the past 100 years, the Board of Nursing, which is housed under Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and consists of 7 nursing professionals and 2 public members, has ensured that Hawai‘i nursing requirements have evolved to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of health care. Its top priority has always been to ensure that the people of Hawai‘i receive the best care possible by regulating the practice of nursing in a consistent, comprehensive and quality manner. “One hundred years ago the Board of Nursing was founded by the mission to ‘safeguard life and health in the practice of nursing’,” said Sen. Rosalyn Baker, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health. “Today we honor them as they continue to fulfill that mission and bring personal and quality healthcare to their patients in a variety of healthcare settings. I, along with my colleagues, would like to extend a truly heartfelt mahalo to the Board of Nursing and the dedicated members who volunteer their time to maintain the high quality of nurses who serve our state.” Honored on the floor of the Senate were Lee Ann Teshima, Executive Officer of the Hawai‘i State Board of Nursing, and Loraine Fleming, Chair of the Board. # # # #HawaiiStateBoardofNursing #GovernorLuciusPinkham #Act163 #RozBaker #ClarenceNishihara #LeeAnnTeshima #LoraineFleming #BrickwoodGaluteria #StanleyChang #GlennWakai #rozbaker #RonKouchi #BrianTaniguchi #KaiKahele #MikeGabbard #DonnaMercadoKim #RussellRuderman #GilbertKeithAgaran #BreeneHarimoto #LesIharaJr #LorraineInouye #KarlRhoads #DonovanDelaCruz #GilRiviere #WillEspero #LauraThielen #MaileShimabukuro #JillTokuda #JoshGreen #HawaiiSenate

In celebration of March as American Red Cross Month, the State Senate today recognized the American Red Cross Hawaiʻi for their commitment and dedication to the people of Hawaiʻi, and for providing disaster relief and unwavering support for over a century to our local communities statewide. Princess Kaʻiulani welcomed the American Red Cross in 1898 to care for soldiers during the Spanish American War. They were officially charted in 1917, and have assisted in every major disaster in the islands’ history for the past 100 years. The Hawai’i Red Cross also responds to everyday disasters by providing food, clothing, shelter, crisis counseling and emotional support to those in need. In addition, they teach 20,000 residents annually how to save lives with CPR, AED, first aid, wilderness, aquatics, and workplace safety training, alongside teaching other lifesaving practices directed at all members of our communities. Recognized on the Senate floor was Coralie Matayoshi, CEO of Red Cross Hawai‘i; Randy Harris, Board Member and Vice Chair for Red Cross Hawai‘i; and Kitty Lagareta, Board Member and Secretary for Red Cross Hawaiʻi “We celebrate their positive outreach and ongoing dedication to Hawai’i and on behalf of the Senate, I congratulate them for their 100 years of service and for being an integral part of our community,” said Sen. Stanley Chang. # # # #RandyHarris #CaralieMatayoshi #KittyLagareta #StanleyChang #BrickwoodGaluteria #RozBaker #GlennWakai #RonKouchi #ClarenceNishihara #BrianTaniguchi #KaiKahele #MikeGabbard #DonnaMercadoKim #RussellRuderman #GilbertKeithAgaran #BreeneHarimoto #LesIharaJr #LorraineInouye #KarlRhoads #DonovanDelaCruz #GilRiviere #WilliamEspero #LauraThielen #MaileShimabukuro #JillTokuda #JoshGreen #HawaiiSenate #RedCrossHawaii

Honored for their selfless and generous efforts and for “coming to the rescue” for their community, the Wai‘anae Coast Community Foundation (WCCF) was recognized by members of the Senate. The Wai‘anae Coast Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance economic development and cultural values of the Wai‘anae Coast, and to develop programs and opportunities that give children, seniors, and families in crisis the tools they need to overcome challenges they face. When the Toys for Tots Program was on the verge of collapsing in 2015, the WCCF stepped in and today collects toys from the U.S. Marines and others and oversees sorting and distribution of the toys to impoverished children. The WCCF also resurrected the “Sunset on the Beach” event when funding had stopped and now plans to stage the event every two years. WCCF also supports the After-School All-Stars Hawai‘i, the NFL-YET Hawai‘i – Boys and Girls Club of Nanakuli, which provides an after-school sports program for students in grades 4,5, and 6 a three elementary schools in Nanakuli. WCCF provides coaching staff and has funded the entire sports program. Recognized on the floor today were Patty Kahanamoku-Teruya, WCCF President and Director, Keoki K. Aiwohi, WCCF Vice President and Director, Emmanuel Silva, Food Bank and Toys for Tots Warehouse Project Manager, Lara Pangan-Chun, Hale Ola Hou volunteer, and John Dudoit, volunteer with Makana O Ke Akua. #PattyKahanamokuTeruya #PattyTeruya #WCCF #WaianaeCoastCommunityFoundation #ToysforTots #WaianaeCoast #EmmanuelSilva #LaraPanganChun #HaleOlaHou #JohnDudoit #MakanaOKeAkua #JKalaniEnglish #KeokiKAiwohi #BrickwoodGaluteria #MikeGabbard #RussellRuderman #LauraThielen #DonnaMercadoKim #LesIharaJr #WillEspero #BreeneHarimoto #KarlRhoads #ClarenceNishihara #StanleyChang #RozBaker #DonovanDelaCruz #LorraineInouye #MaileShimabukuro #GlennWakai #GilRiviere #GilbertKeithAgaran #RonKouchi #BrianTaniguchi #JoshGreen #KaiKahele #MichelleKidani #JillTokuda #HawaiiSenate

Roderick Becker today was confirmed by the Senate as the Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services. Becker was most recently the Deputy Director of Finance, appointed by Governor Ige in 2014. Prior to the appointment, Becker was a Legislative Analyst for the Honolulu City Council until 2008 when he was tapped to be Budget Chief for the Senate Committee on Ways and Means where he supported the legislature’s development of the state budget. “I have found Rod to be hard-working, honest and not giving in to political pressures,” said Senator Donna Mercado Kim, chair of the Senate Committee on Government Operations, about his tenure with WAM. “I am sure he will bring these attributes with him in his position as State Comptroller and ensure that state government services will move smoothly into the 21st century.” # # # #RoderickBaker #DAGS #DonnaMercadoKim #GlennWakai #LauraThielen #RonKouchi #MaileShimabukuro #ClarenceNishihara #JoshGreen #StanleyChang #KaiKahele #JillTokuda #RozBaker #GilRiviere #WillEspero #KarlRhoads #GilbertKeithAgaran #LesIharaJr #BreeneHarimoto #RussellRuderman #MikeGabbard #HawaiiSenate

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The 2017 Narcissus Court was recognized during a presentation on the Senate floor. The Narcissus Festival was first held in 1950 to preserve and showcase Chinese Art and Culture. This year marks the 68th crowning of the queen and her court. Honored on the floor today: Queen, Lesly Goo, First Princess, Monica Woolley, Second Princess, Morgan Lui, Third Princess, Amanda Awai, Fourth Princess, Stella Chow, # # # #NarcissusCourt #NarcissusFestival #rozbaker #DonovanDelaCruz #WilliamEspero #MikeGabbard #JoshGreen #BreeneHarimoto #LesIhara #LesIharaJr #LorraineInouye #KaiKahele #GilbertKeithAgaran #MichelleKidani #DonnaMercadoKim #RonKouchi #ClarenceNishihara #GilRiviere #RussellRuderman #MaileShimabukuro #BrianTaniguchi #StanleyChang #KarlRhoads #JillTokuda #LauraThielen #Glennwakai

Recognizing them for their achievements as leaders and innovators in Hawai‘i’s tech economy, the 2017 Hawai‘i Venture Capital Association Award recipients were commended and congratulated on the floor of the Senate today. Since its inception in 1988, the Hawaii Venture Capital Association has fostered entrepreneurial development through education, exposure to excellent speakers, and introductions to key members of the business community. “Each year the awards go to those individuals who shine brighter than the rest and it’s an honor to have a few of them here to celebrate in their accomplishments in growing Hawaii’s economy,” said Senator Glenn Wakai, chair of the Senate committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology. The 2017 Hawaii Venture Capital Association Award winners are: Startup Paradise Champion of the Year: Bytemarks Café – Burt Lum and Ryan Ozawa. This award is given to someone who consistently contributes to the startup community. These contributions consist of supporting, promoting, and building a successful startup culture and ecosystem in Hawaii. The winners this year are Burt Lum and Ryan Ozawa of the Bytemarks Café. Burt Lum is a communicator, innovator, community builder, open data advocate, and a sci/tech geek. He is also the Executive Director of Hawaii Open Data. Ryan Ozawa is a media maker and community builder who serves as Communications Director for Hawaii Information Service and as Chief Marketing Office of local ag-tech startup Smart Yields. Together they co-host Bytemarks Café on not only Hawaii Public Radio, but also the Geek Beat on Hawaii News Now. Island Innovator of the Year: Henk Rogers This award is to honor the most impactful innovation that has helped our island state – truly solving a problem in our own backyard, our mountains, our beach, our aina. This innovation inspires and celebrates an innovation, entrepreneur or company that has shown leadership and commitment to tackling s significant problem in our state. Henk Rogers is a Dutch-born entrepreneur and clean energy visionary who has dedicated the past decade of his career to the research, development, advocacy and implementation of renewable energy sources in his adopted home of Hawaii and beyond. He has studied computer science at the University of Hawaii and spent his early career in Japan as a video game designer, gaining distinction for producing the country’s first roleplaying game, The Black Onyx. He went on to revolutionize the video game industry by securing the rights for the blockbuster Tetris, which 30 years later remains a bestseller and global gaming icon. Corporate Intrapreneur of the Year: Ian Kitajima This award goes to the person(s) who creatively challenges traditions and assertively makes changes in their company culture to ensure fellow employees in their environment and their field are engaged and provides the platform to be intrapreneurial. Ian Kitajima is a senior executive at Oceanit, one of Hawaii’s largest and most diversified privately-held technology companies, with 150 scientists and engineers. Ever since 2001, Ian has contributed to Oceanit’s evolution and sharing of their culture of innovation to create, fund, incubate, and transition new technologies to the marketspace, with a community mission to create prosperity. Ian has initiated Oceanit’s entry into areas such as Nanotechnology, Energy, and Design Thinking. He is an advisor and/or board member to several educational, government, and community organizations such as the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, UH Alumni Association, and the Workforce Development Council. Life Science Entrepreneur of the Year – Jeffrey Yu This award is presented to the entrepreneur whose company’s innovation is helping to solve some of the biggest problems in the medical field. Dr. Jeffrey Yu is a serial entrepreneur and is Board Certified in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. He is CEO of Kineticor, a company that is eliminating motion from MR images in collaboration with the world’s leading MR vendor. He is also the founder of OneMeNet, the leading medical image sharing and exchange provider to leading medical image management vendors and a part of the office of the President of Queen’s Health Systems. Social Impact Entrepreneur of the Year – Purple Mai’a (Donavan Kealoha accepting) This award is intended to honor an entrepreneur or entrepreneurial company that makes a substantial contribution to Hawaii. The award recipient will have contributed to non-profit organizations or community volunteer efforts. Purple Mai’a Foundation is a non-profit Hawaiian organization focused on empowering high opportunity youth in underserved Hawaii communities that possess rich cultural heritages by providing indigenized, and culturally affirming technology education in coding and computer programming. For the 2016-2017 school year, Purple Mai’a will work with over 300 middle school and high school aged students at public, charter, and alternative learning centers across Oahu, Maui, and Lanai. Deal of the Year - Scott Mercer This award recognizes the Startup Paradise company that received the largest financial deal during 2016, whether it be the closing of a round, a merger, or any other type of exit. The 2017 winner of this award is Scott Mercer of Volta Industries. Scott is a CEO and Founder at Volta Industries since January 2010. Scott is an entrepreneur with a passion for bringing future-focused technology to market faster. He has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Hawaii Venture Capital, Forty Under 40 by Pacific Business News, and Hawaii Business’ Twenty for the Next 20. Prior to Volta, Scott ran a vintage automotive restoration business and sold a restored 1967 Jaguar XKE to seed the beginnings of Volta. Scott currently drives a Brammo motorcycle, an electric Fiat, and occasionally a 1971 Alfa Romeo. Volta Charging is the largest free electric car-charging network in the United States. Offering brands powerful media platform to deliver their messages & make communities more sustainable. # # # #HawaiiVentureCapital #HawaiiSenate #RyanOzawa #HenkRogers #Glennwakai #BytemarksCafé #BurtLum #HawaiiOpenData #HawaiiInformationService #SmartYields #HawaiiPublicRadio #GeekBeat #Tetris #IanKitajima #Oceanit #JeffreyYu #Lometocpr #OneMeNet #Kineticor #PurpleMaia #DonavanKealoha #ScottMercer #VoltaIndustries #RozBaker #StanleyChang #DonovanDelaCruz #JKALANIENGLISH #WilliamEspero #MikeGabbard #BrickwoodGaluteria #JoshGreen #BreeneHarimoto #LesIhara #LorraineInouye #KaiKahele #GilbertKeithAgaran #MichelleKidani #lo #DonnaKim #RonKouchi #ClarenceNishihara #KarlRhoads #GilRiviere #RussellRuderman #MaileShimabukuro #BrianTaniguchi #LauraThielen #JillTokuda #GlennWakai

Hawai‘i State Senators were on hand to present the awards to the individuals and agencies who are leading the fight against invasive species throughout the state. The annual Hawai‘i Invasive Species Awareness Week (HISAW) Award winners are selected by the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) which was established in 2003 to provide policy level direction, coordination, and planning among international, federal, state, and county initiatives for the control and eradication of harmful invasive species throughout the state of Hawai‘i. Senator J. Kalani English presented the 2017 Community Hero award to The Pacific American Foundation (PAF) for their efforts to reduce invasive species impacts to the Waikalua Loko I‘a in Kāhe‘ohe, O‘ahu. During 2016, the PAF diligently worked to reduce the negative impacts of invasive species to the Waikalua Fishpond. “By positively engaging with the local community, the Foundation has shown an outstanding commitment to the continued protection and preservation of this historic community resource,” said Sen. English. Sen. English also presented the Community of Haiku Hill the award for Maui County MVP for their efforts to control coqui frogs on the Island of Maui. Over the last decade, the Haiku Hill community, made up of 39 property owners, has taken matters into their own hands by purchasing the resources needed to address coqui on Maui. Residents have sprayed over 1,600 gallons of citric acid throughout their neighborhood and spent countless hours keeping the coqui from spreading from their neighborhood. “Their efforts not only reduce the frog density in their community, but also helps to stop the spread of coqui to new areas,” said Sen. English. “Our responsibility as Legislators is to provide adequate funding to continue a steady fight against invasive species and help support communities such as Haiku Hill in their hard work to protect our environment.” Senator Mike Gabbard presented this year’s Greatest Hit award to Solomon Champion, whose sharp eyes spotted an immature Miconia calvescens during a routine aerial survey over O‘ahu. The miconia tree growing beneath the canopy on the leeward side of the Ko‘olau Range has been identified as the farthest documented tree within an intact native forest, as well as an extension into a new watershed. “By spotting this individual tree, Solomon has helped to protect the Waiawa watershed and prevent the spread of a highly invasive species,” said Sen. Gabbard. Sen. Gabbard also presented the 2017 O‘ahu MVP award to Mililani teacher Sandy Webb for her efforts to incorporate invasive species investigations into the Youth Envisioning Sustainable Futures (YES) Program. This interdisciplinary program she helped found with other teachers allows students to utilize the skills they develop in many of their classes to address problems in their community and build relevance into their educational experience. “By incorporating invasive species into her teaching, Sandy has encouraged her students to learn about relevant issues relating to invasive species impacts, and become part of the solution,” said Sen. Gabbard. Other HISC Award Winners are: Business Leader 2017: Serina Marchi, Seascapes Nursery on Kaua‘i, for her efforts to minimize the introduction and spread of invasive species. Hawai‘i County MVP: Carolyn Dillon for her outstanding community efforts in Holualoa and her work controlling Little Fire Ants on Hawai‘i Island. Hottest Pest Hotline Report: Shawn Baliaris for his efforts relating to reporting and stopping the spread of mongoose on Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i County MVP: Kawika Winter for his efforts to protect priority watershed areas and control the spread of invasive species on the island of Kaua‘i as part of his role as the Director of Limahuli Botanical Garden and Preserve. HISC is comprised of the Departments of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Agriculture (DOA), Health (DOH), Transportation (DOT), Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), and the University of Hawai‘i (UH). # # # #JKALANIENGLISH #MikeGabbard #Invasivespecies #PacificAmericanFoundation #HawaiiInvasiveSpeciesCouncil #SolomonChampion #SandyWebb #MililaniHighSchool

State legislators are debating measures that would require presidential candidates to publicly disclose their tax returns to qualify for the ballot. “For decades presidential candidates have publicly released their tax returns. The information is valuable to voters when they decide who to vote for President and Vice President. That’s why I introduced the Senate bill.” said Sen. Rhoads. President Trump, became the first President in recent years to refuse to release his tax documents to the public saying it's because of a current IRS audit. “Tax return information would provide some transparency there to give voters the assurance that they need that the president is acting on behalf of us,” said Kathleen Clyde, an Ohio state representative who recently introduced a version of the bill. “It is problematic that he is the only candidate in 30 or 40 years not to provide that information.” The Hawai'i Legislature becomes the first in the nation to pass bills requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns. #ChrisLee #KarlRhoads #PresentialTaxReturns