At the direction of the President of the United States, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai’i until sunset on Sunday, March 27, 2022. This action serves to honor former Secretary of state Madeleine Albright, who died at age 84 after a battle with cancer. Albright was the first female Secretary of State in the U.S. and helped steer Western foreign policy in the aftermath of the Cold War. She also previously served as an ambassador to the United Nations. In a statement released earlier today, Gov. Ige said: “Madeleine Albright’s story is an inspiration to many in Hawaiʻi – she was a refugee and immigrant who believed in the ideals of our nation and dedicated her life to upholding them. Her leadership as the nation’s top diplomat and first female Secretary of State changed the course of world history. During her years of unwavering service, she was a source of inspiration to women and girls everywhere. Dawn and I send our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.” To view President Biden’s proclamation click here.

Funds seeks to help alter cycle of unemployment, poverty American Indians and Alaska Natives have traditionally faced higher unemployment rates and lower workforce participation, and attained lower levels of education – subjecting them to lower wages, fewer career opportunities and a continued cycle of unemployment and poverty. Expanding opportunities for these communities is the impetus behind a $71 million in funding availability the U.S. Department of Labor announced today to provide training and employment assistance to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The grants will support services to equip individuals in these communities with education, job search assistance, and occupational skills training to improve their access to better jobs and increased wages. Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the funding will support approximately 167 grants ranging from $20,000 to $6 million, to deliver services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s Indian and Native American programs. “Once awarded, the grants funded by the Department of Labor’s Indian and Native American programs will deliver resources straight to the organizations – tribal organizations and the tribes themselves – who can best serve their communities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “These grants will empower American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians as they enter or return to the workforce by ensuring these communities have access to the education, job search assistance and skills training they need get on their way to providing a secure future for their families.” Of the $71 million in funding available, approximately $57 million will support jobs and employment training for adults. The remaining $14 million will serve Native American youth on or near reservations and in Alaska, Hawaii and Oklahoma. The amounts of final awards will be determined using a funding formula for all U.S. geographic areas. Eligible applicants for the award consideration include the following entities: federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, Alaska Native-controlled organizations, Native Hawaiian-controlled organizations, Indian-controlled organizations that serve Indians, state-controlled organizations and consortia of eligible organizations. Learn more about grant eligibility and apply. Agency Employment and Training Administration Date March 22, 2022 Release Number 22-488-NAT

The Community Heroes Award, a volunteer recognition program started in the ‘Aiea and Pearl City communities last year by the Office of Senator Bennette E. Misalucha (District 16 -Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Hālawa, and Pearl Harbor) and the non-profit Kanu Hawai‘i, announced its call for nominations and expansion to two additional house districts last month. The application deadline has been extended to this Friday, March 25, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. to allow for more nominations to be accepted across the three districts. The 2022 Community Heroes Awards will honor and recognize residents who have exemplified outstanding leadership and volunteer service to their community. This year, the Office of Representative Lisa Kitagawa (House District 48) and Office of Representative Nadine Nakamura (House District 14) are sponsoring one winner from each of their districts. A total of four awardees will be selected: two from Senate District 16 (one ‘Aiea resident and one Pearl City resident), one from House District 14 (Kaua‘i covering Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Kapa‘a, and Wailua) and one from House District 48 (Kāne‘ohe, Kahalu‘u, and Waiāhole). Criteria for eligibility include having participated in an organization or activity for at least six months prior to January 1, 2022. The Selection Committee, under the guidance of Kanu Hawai‘i, will consider factors such as the effectiveness, scope, and amount of time dedicated to volunteer efforts. Applications are available through each respective legislators’ offices and online at https://www.kanuhawaii.org. Completed forms must be submitted via email to communityheroeshawaii@gmail.com by Friday, March 25, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. The awardees will be recognized virtually during Volunteer Week on Saturday, April 16, 2022. Kanu Hawai‘i is a grassroots organization that seeks to provide tools and opportunities for people to connect with one another to take action that builds more compassionate and resilient communities across Hawai‘i. For more information, contact the Office of Senator Bennette E. Misalucha at (808) 586-6230.

30 LEGISLATORS URGE THE HONOLULU BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY TO PRIORITIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IF A DEVELOPMENT MORATORIUM IS ENACTED Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, in his capacity as Chair of the Committee on Health, sent a letter today with 29 legislative co-signers to the manager and chief engineer of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) to urge that "should more draconian steps become necessary, affordable housing development be prioritized in the issuance of water meters." Ernest Lau and other administrative members of the Board took part in an informational briefing yesterday before the joint Committees on Health, Water and Land. They presented an update on the current capacity status of O‘ahu’s supply in light of the shutdown of three wells due to the leakage of the Red Hill fuel supply tanks back in November 2021. The BWS also presented a framework to implement further water conservation steps as the island expects a drought to continue through the summer months. Those plans could include a moratorium on new construction on O‘ahu. “Yesterday's presentation was alarming. Rationing a resource as necessary as water will hurt the poor and disadvantaged disproportionately and inequitably,” the senator wrote. “During these difficult and uncertain times ahead, we ask that you and the Board consider principles of equity should continue–or more drastic–water conservation measures need to be taken." Examples could include the prioritization of affordable housing prior to a construction moratorium and restrictions on recreational and luxury water uses like swimming pools and fountains. Senator Keohokalole’s letter was co-signed by: Senate Members: Acasio, Chang, Fevella, Gabbard, Inouye, Keith-Agaran, Kim, Lee, Misalucha, Nishihara, San Buenaventura, Shimabukuro, and Wakai. House Members: Gates, Hashem, Holt, Ichiyama, LoPresti, Lowen, Marten, Matayoshi, Ohno, Okimoto, Perruso, Takayama, Takumi, Tam, Wildberger, and Yamane.

Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, chair of the Senate Committee on Health issued a statement today applauding Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin’s decision today to direct the Department of Navy to defuel and shut down the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility. “I applaud Defense Secretary Austin’s decision to defuel and permanently shut down Red Hill. Now we can begin the difficult work with the Navy of addressing impacts to our communities and water resources without worrying about future spills from Red Hill. For months, elected officials at every level of government have called upon the federal government to close the facility and I am pleased that our voices were finally heard today by the Pentagon. This is an important step toward repairing the relationship between the Navy and the community."

HIDOE released guidelines to allow for in-person school commencement and transition ceremonies that protect the health and safety of students, staff, and families. The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) released guidelines today to allow for in-person school commencement and transition ceremonies that protect the health and safety of students, staff, and families. “Graduations are such a special milestone for our students and families, especially in Hawaii, and I know it has been difficult having modified ceremonies for the past two years,” Interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “We look forward to providing our graduates with the ceremonies that they so deeply deserve while still maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff as a top priority.” In addition to standard school health and safety protocols and county social gathering regulations, commencement events must adhere to guidelines that include: Student participation is voluntary. Schools may consider providing a virtual option for persons who do not wish to attend an in-person event and to help promote smaller crowd sizes. Ceremonies must be held outdoors or in a venue with adequate ventilation or fans/filtration systems. Third-party venues that comply with county social gathering rules are allowed. All participants must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours prior to the ceremony. Graduates will be allowed to bring a pre-set number of household members as guests. The number of guests will be determined by each school based on capacity. No additional guests will be allowed. Masks must be worn at all times. School graduation and transition ceremonies are still in the planning stages. Dates and other details will be announced in April. The guidance is subject to change if there are any developments that would compromise the health or safety of students and staff. “This guidance aims to provide flexibility for schools in safely bringing together graduates and families for this momentous occasion as we continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions,” Hayashi said. “Planning for ceremonies must balance the desire to honor graduates while ensuring that our schools do not create an added risk to exposure and spread of the virus.” The full list of guidelines can be viewed here.

* Hawai'i State Department of Education News Release: Moanalua High School and Maui Waena Intermediate School garnered the most prizes, winning nine awards and six awards, respectively. Students from 13 Hawai‘i public schools won a total of 36 national media awards — including eight first-place awards — during the 2022 Student Television Network (STN) National Convention that was held over the President’s Day weekend. STN, which aims to support, promote and recognize excellence in scholastic broadcast journalism, filmmaking, and, multimedia, announced the winners on Feb. 21 during a hybrid virtual and in-person ceremony from Long Beach, California. Some 3,000 intermediate and high school students across the U.S. participated in a hybrid convention that culminated with an awards ceremony. Due to COVID travel restrictions, Hawai‘i students from 17 public schools across the state competed via a satellite site at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, which the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) helped sponsor. Hawai‘i students participated in onsite media competitions in 20 different categories on Saturday and Sunday. The competitions required students, for example, to build an anchor reel and motion graphics, produce a music video, fictional movie trailer, commercial, public service announcement, and short film — all under strict deadlines. “The students and teachers who participated in this rigorous competition definitely represented their schools and our entire state well, and we’re so proud of each of them,” interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “We’re thrilled that our students had an opportunity to share their creativity and digital media skills with their counterparts across the nation. It’s these authentic learning experiences that help develop and build the critical skills needed for our future workforce, in creative media and other high-demand sectors.” HIDOE schools won 31 awards for work produced during the onsite competitions. Moanalua High School and Maui Waena Intermediate School garnered the most prizes, winning nine awards and six awards, respectively. In separate STN awards for excellence in filmmaking, Moanalua High won four awards and Waiakea High won one award. See full list below. Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School eighth-grader David Braman and his three teammates took first place in the commercial category. Teams were given the prompt "activewear" and were tasked with producing a product commercial. "As soon as I heard the 'Ch' for Chiefess, it was just, boom," Braman recalled after the awards ceremony. "We have a great team. We did it and it was awesome." After participating in last year's fully virtual STN conference, Braman said the opportunity to be with other Hawai‘i students this year was invaluable. "Being here, the energy is so much better. This felt like my first real STN," he said. "Ever since elementary school I've been dreaming about doing STN because I have older friends that have gone to the annual competitions. ... Getting to bond was amazing. The winning was a nice bonus." Donn Yamamoto, a digital media and broadcast media teacher at Waiakea High School, who had five students competing in STN this year, added: "This is probably one of the most authentic learning experiences that our kids can participate in." Students also had the opportunity to participate in educational workshops sponsored by PBS Hawai‘i’s HIKI NŌ statewide student news program during the convention. “Year after year, our HIKI NŌ students have made Hawai`i proud by showcasing their talents on a national stage at the annual STN competition, taking home a disproportionate number awards compared to highly populated states such as California and Texas,” PBS Hawaiʻi President and CEO Ron Mizutani said. “HIDOE did a great service by bringing this national competition to our state, for the very first time, in the form of the Hawai‘i-Hub STN Conference. It is gratifying to see the joy on the faces of these students as they compete.” The winning schools and categories are listed below: STN National Convention Awards: Feature Story (Middle School) Honorable Mention: Maui Waena Intermediate Movie Trailer (Middle School) First place: Aliamanu Middle Motion Graphics Editing (High School) First place: Maui High Commercial (Middle School) First place: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle Third place: Honouliuli Middle Honorable Mention: Lahaina Intermediate Commercial (High School) Third place: Kaiser High Tell The Story Editing (High School) Second place: Moanalua High Silent Film (Middle School) Honorable Mention: Kamehameha Schools Maui - Middle Anchor Team (Middle School) Second place: Maui Waena Intermediate Short Film (Middle School) First place: Maui Waena Intermediate Second place: Honouliuli Middle Short Film (High School) Third place: Moanalua High Public Service Announcement (Middle School) Third place: Lahaina Intermediate Honorable Mention: Moanalua Middle Public Service Announcement (High School) Honorable Mention: Moanalua High Commentary (High School) Honorable Mention: Moanalua High Action Sports Editing (High School) First place: Kamehameha Schools Maui - High Personal Vlog (Middle School) Honorable Mention: Honouliuli Middle Honorable Mention: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle Personal Vlog (High School) Honorable Mention: Moanalua High Music Video (Middle School) Second place: Highlands Intermediate Third place: Maui Waena Intermediate Music Video (High School) First place: Kamehameha Schools Maui - High Third place: Moanalua High Vertical Storytelling (High School) Second place: Moanalua High Multimedia Journalist (High School) First place: Kauai High Second place: Waianae High Crazy 8s: News Magazine (Middle School) First place: Maui Waena Intermediate Third place: Kamehameha Schools Maui - Middle Honorable Mention: Highlands Intermediate Crazy 8s: News Magazine (High School) Third place: Moanalua High Crazy 8s: Short Film (Middle School) First place: Maui Waena Intermediate Second place: Honouliuli Middle Crazy 8s: Short Film (High School) First place: Moanalua High Excellence Awards: Film Excellence - Writing Waiakea High Film Excellence - Editing Moanalua High Film Excellence - Best Cinematography Moanalua High Film Excellence - Best Directing Moanalua High Film Excellence - Best Live-Action Film Moanalua High Source: The Hawai'i State Department of Education News Release: https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/2022-STN-student-media-awards.aspx

​ Pohakea Elementary School’s Nicole Blomberg was recently named 2022’s Hawai‘i School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The ASCA School Counselor of the Year award recognizes counseling professionals in elementary, middle, and high schools across the nation for their devotion to the academic and career success of their students as well as their social-emotional well-being. Honorees are selected on the basis of extensive criteria including the development of creative counseling innovations and programs, leadership skills, and contributions to academic improvement. Blomberg, who has been a school counselor at Pohakea since 2006, was nominated for her outstanding ability to connect with students and their families, which, along with her continuous effort to reflect on her professional practices, allows her to best support the education, well-being, and potential of every student. “She has an immense impact on our school culture and the way that students and teachers interact with each other,” Pohakea Elementary Principal Corey Barton said of Blomberg. “She embodies– models– a kindness that carries into our school community. It begins with her.” Despite the challenges that arose in communities in face of the pandemic, Blomberg continues to inspire and enact change in her students’ lives. Using her leadership skills to bring the Pohakea community together, she set into motion a monthly Virtual Read Aloud Book Nook, where she uses bibliocounseling, a multimodal teaching method, to remind community members of the importance of kindness and perseverance, especially in these difficult times. Blomberg also considers her development of Pohakea’s Check and Connect program one of her proudest contributions. Check and Connect is a Tier 2 attendance intervention that assigns targeted students a trusted on-campus adult as a mentor. Mentors conduct daily check-ins and help their students create monthly goals for individualized guidance. “Most importantly,” Blomberg says, “the program creates a positive relationship with these students to make coming to school feel safe.” In a video message commencing National School Counseling Week, which spans from Feb. 7-11 this year, Interim Superintendent Hayashi pointed out the importance of school counselors, especially amidst COVID. “Over the course of these last two school years, our school counselors carried an even heavier weight, given all that our students go through in the face of the pandemic,” Hayashi stated. “They are the trusted adults on campus for many of our students, as well as a critical resource for our communities.” Blomberg proudly serves as a member of ASCA and the Hawai‘i School Counsel. On February 3, she attended the 2022 School Counselor of the Year ceremony in Washington, D.C., where she and other committed school counselors were celebrated. For more information about ASCA, click here.

In a letter dated Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, twenty-four State Senators expressed “grave concerns” over the U.S. Navy’s judicial appeal of the State Department of Health’s emergency order to immediately suspend operations at the Red Hill fuel storage facility due to leakage and potential threat to O‘ahu’s aquifer. The signees feel that the military’s decision “is an error in judgment that will have detrimental ramifications to the Navy’s relationship to the people of Hawai‘i. “Hiding behind legal maneuvers may forestall doing the right thing—for now,” the letter later states. “But any potential victories in court further cement your losses in the court of public opinion. Those tactics convey a complete lack of respect for our community and a total disinterest in favorable military-community relations in Hawai‘i. “If military leaders cannot be viewed as trusted partners, how can the State of Hawai‘i engage in any future interactions with an expectation of good faith?,” the letter says. It ends with the statement that “we are not expendable and will not sacrifice our future for the continued compliance of the military.” The State Senate’s letter is also shared with Admirals John Aquilino and Samuel Paparo of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Senate President Ron Kouchi, Governor David Ige, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Dept. of Health Director Libby Char, Under Secretary of the Navy Meredith Berger, Honolulu Board of Water Supply Manager and Chief Engineer Ernest Lau, and the Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. Those who signed the letter addressed to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro include Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, Senate Vice President Michelle N. Kidani, Senate Majority Leader Dru Mamo Kanuha, Senate Minority Leader Kurt Fevella, Senator Laura Acasio, Senator Rosalyn Baker, Senator Stanley Chang, Senator Lynn DeCoite, Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, Senator Mike Gabbard, Senator Lorraine Inouye, Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Senator Chris Lee, Senator Bennette Misalucha, Senator Sharon Moriwaki, Senator Clarence Nishihara, Senator Karl Rhoads, Senator Gil Riviere, Senator Joy San Buenaventura, Senator Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Senator Brian Taniguchi and Senator Glenn Wakai. You can read the letter in its entirety below.

We invite you to join us at 10:00 a.m. HST for a virtual press conference where Nikki-Ann Yee from the Ma'i Movement Hawaii and Senator Laura Acasio will discuss our legislative proposals for menstrual equity in Hawai'i. #MenstrualEquity#MaiMovement#HawaiiStateSenate

Governor Ige secures federal disaster assistance for residents, businesses affected by severe storms on Oʻahu, Maui Residents and business owners on Oʻahu and Maui who were impacted by severe storms between Dec. 5 -10, 2021, may be eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans. The U.S. Small Businesses Administration (SBA) made these loans available in response to a request made by Gov. David Ige on Jan. 26, 2022. The SBA assistance is available to residents and business owners in the City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, and the contiguous county of Kalawao, who suffered losses and/or damage in December’s flooding and landslides. “We encourage residents and businesses of all sizes to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans to help them recover from last month’s storm. I am thankful to the SBA for its quick response and support of our residents as they work to rebuild their communities and businesses,” said Gov. Ige. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild”, said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. Low-interest federal disaster loans of up to $2 million are available to private non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes, to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Additional funds are also available to businesses and homeowners for improvement projects to prevent/minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring again. In addition – homeowners are eligible for disaster loans of up to $200,000 to repair/replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair/replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Interest rates can be as low as 2.83 percent for businesses, 1.875 percent for private non-profit organizations, and 1.438 percent for homeowners and renters up to 30 years. For more information and for assistance applying, contact the Virtual Business Recovery Center (for business owners) and the Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center (for homeowners and renters) at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or 800-659-2955, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants may also email disastercustomerservice@sba.govfor more information. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. The deadline to apply for property damage is Mar. 29, 2022. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Oct. 28, 2022.

By a vote of 24 – 1, the Hawaiʻi State Senate passed a measure that would incrementally increase the minimum wage to $18 by 2026. Introduced by Senator Brian Taniguchi and co-sponsored by nineteen Senate members, SB 2018 would raise the minimum wage to $12 on October 1, 2022, $15 on January 1, 2024, and $18 on January 1, 2026. “The Senate identified raising the minimum wage as one of our top priorities for the 2022 session and I am delighted that we were able to swiftly deliver this important policy action for the working people of Hawiaʻi,” said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi. “I want to thank Senate Labor Committee Chair Brian Taniguchi for his work in shepherding this bill and I hope our House colleagues will follow suit and pass this critical piece of legislation.” SB2018 now heads to the State House of Representatives for consideration.