Officials are continuing recovery efforts for the isolated North Shore community while long-term repairs to the Hanalei Hillside remain ongoing. Please see the following updates below. Kūhiō Highway at Hanalei Hill: The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) will continue a single lane for emergency access on Kūhiō Highway at the Hanalei Hill. This access has been established for critical services only. HDOT officials estimate that scheduled or limited times for public access may start on Saturday, March 20. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Other Current Road Closures: The road above the Hanalei Hill landslide, Kūhiō Highway between Kolopua Apartments and Hanalei Plantation Road, remains closed until the automated GPS monitoring is completed. One lane of Kūhiō Highway at mile marker 4.5 near Waikoko is currently open to alternating traffic. Refuse Service: The Solid Waste Division has resumed normal household refuse collection services to North Shore residents. The next regularly scheduled refuse collection is Friday, March 19. Residents are asked to place bagged trash in their carts the night prior. Officials will not be picking up loose waste or bulky waste. There will also be refuse collection on Friday, March 19, for North Shore residents who do not have carts, such as on Ananalu Road. Continued refuse collection will occur until public access on Kūhiō Highway is restored. Residents without refuse carts should bag their trash and leave it curbside the night prior. For questions or more information, please call the Solid Waste Division at 241-4841. Weather Update: A High Surf Advisory is in effect for all East-facing shores of Kaua‘i through 6 p.m. Saturday. Strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents are expected. All weather and ocean advisories may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions develop. For up-to-date information about Kaua‘i ocean conditions and ocean safety, please speak to a county lifeguard, visit www.hawaiibeachsafety.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984. For weather updates, call the National Weather Service automated weather line at 245-6001, or visit the NWS website, www.weather.gov/hfo. Damage Assessments: The county is continuing to conduct assessments of storm-affected areas across the island. If your home suffered damages due to the March flooding, please visit www.kauai.gov/kema and click on the green link “March 2021 Rain Damage/Flood Reporting” to complete a form. The information you provide will help the County of Kaua‘i understand the scope of residential damage and its impacts on our community. Damage reports may be used to determine whether our jurisdiction qualifies for any state and federal assistance. Affected parties will still need to file claims with their insurance companies for residential damage and personal property loss. Completion of a damage report does not constitute an application for assistance or relief programs. For assistance on how to fill out the form, you may call KEMA at 241-1800. For up-to-date and ongoing information for residents affected by the recent severe weather, especially those who reside in the isolated North Shore areas, please visit www.kauai.gov and click on the blue icon “March 2021 Flooding.”

The Senate Committee on Judiciary unanimously passed two resolutions today in response to the recent acts of racism against Asian-Americans. SCR66 and SR48, which were introduced by Senator Bennette E. Misalucha (District 16 - Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Hālawa and Pearl Harbor), condemn and denounce all forms of anti-Asian sentiment and all acts of racism, xenophobia, intolerance, discrimination, hate crime and hate speech against Asian Americans and Asian individuals in the United States. The measures were amended in committee to include: - An additional “whereas clause” about recent incidents of anti-Asian sentiment including the remarks by Kauaʻi Police Chief, the killing of six women of Asian descent in Atlanta, Georgia, and the recent attacks of Asian-American senior citizens in California. - An additional “Be It Further Resolved clause” requesting the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to collect and analyze incidents of anti-Asian sentiment that have occurred since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020; and reporting back to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature on their findings and to make recommendations for potential legislative action. “The recent acts of violence and racism against Asian-Americans are unacceptable and they truly undermine our values as a country,” said Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 - Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Palama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. “We are a nation of diversity and equality and these hate crimes have no place in our society. “Our communities here in Hawaiʻi serve as an example to the rest of the nation of what inclusivity and acceptance look like, regardless of your gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation,” noted Senator Misalucha. “It’s important for us to stand in solidarity with our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community during these difficult times and I want to thank Chairman Rhoads and the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing these two important measures.” Both measures are headed to the Senate floor for final consideration by the full Senate.

Governor Ige orders flags at half-staff to honor the victims of the tragedy in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area 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 will 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 immediately, until sunset on Monday, March 22, 2021. This action is taken to honor the victims of gun violence carried out on March 16 in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. “I know the people of Hawaiʻi join me in honoring the lives of the eight people killed and another wounded in Georgia this week and in sending our Aloha to the families of all those killed or wounded in this senseless act of violence. That six of the victims were women of Asian descent is particularly appalling, and I condemn all violence based on race or ethnicity. It is our kuleana to stop the rising tide of hate crimes against people of Asian descent,” Gov. Ige said. The president’s proclamation can be found here.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed a new director and deputy director for the City and County of Honolulu (City) Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency (CCSR). Director Matthew Gonser and Deputy Director Nicola Hedge join the senior leadership team with a great foundation in the climate action and adaptation needs for our island community. “There is no denying the effect of climate change is real and with it comes serious threats to our way of life,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “I have big expectations from our Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency and I have confidence Matt and Nicola will be positive difference makers who possess the vision to turn our commitments into action.” In addition to the role of Executive Director for CCSR, Gonser serves as the City’s Chief Resilience Officer. He has served with the office since October 2017 in the role of Coastal and Water Program Manager. Prior to joining the office he served for nearly six years as the Community Planning and Design Extension Agent with the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program. With the office Gonser led the City’s development of the Ola: O‘ahu Resilience Strategy, which was adopted as a guiding policy document by the City Council via Resolution 19-233 in 2019, and, in concert with City departments, has been leading the development of a climate adaptation strategy, “Climate Ready O‘ahu.” Gonser was sworn in on and has served in the role since January 2, 2021. He has a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources from Cornell University and master’s degrees in both Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture, respectively, also from Cornell. Nicola Hedge serves as both the Deputy Director for CCSR and the City’s Deputy Chief Resilience Officer. She has supported the City since April 2019 as a Climate Advisor as part of the City’s competitive award from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Cities Climate Challenge to accelerate greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the building and transportation sectors. Prior to returning to Oʻahu in 2019, Hedge worked for nine years at The San Diego Foundation as both a Climate Initiative Manager and Director of Environmental Initiatives, helping to drive coordinated climate action among cities in southern California. Hedge has served in her new role since February 16, 2021. A graduate of Hawai‘i Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in International Business, she holds a master’s degree in Pacific and International Affairs from the University of California, San Diego. As an island community, climate change, sustainability and resiliency are critical issues, not just to the quality of life today, but for long-term physical and economic health and security. CCSR will help drive climate adaptation with City departments, develop programming to build community resilience, equity and economic recovery as well as help the City to lead by example in taking climate action. “With the office’s roles and responsibilities signed into law at the end of 2020 as Ordinance 20-47, and the established O‘ahu Resilience Strategy, the sail plan is before us, and we’re excited to get to work,” Gonser said. “We can and must link climate action with economic recovery to signal not only inspiration and hope, but also real prosperity, while also proactively improving community and environmental conditions in the face of a changing climate.” “Climate action is not just good business, we owe it to Honolulu’s residents, keiki and future generations to do our best to protect this land we all love,” Hedge said. The Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency relocated from Kapālama Hale to the Frank Fasi Municipal Building at 650 S King St, and can still be reached at resilientoahu@honolulu.gov or 808.768.2277.

The Department of Public Safety (PSD) today held a pinning ceremony to announce Lieutenant Lanikoa “Koa” Dobrowolsky’s promotion to First Deputy of the Sheriff Division. The First Deputy is second in command of the Sheriff Division, answers directly to the State Sheriff and is responsible for assisting the Sheriff in planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of the Sheriff Division as well as the activities of the Deputy Sheriffs engaged in providing law enforcement services for the State of Hawaii. “Over the past 27 years, Koa has risen up through the ranks of the Sheriff Division. He is a dedicated and experienced law enforcement and military leader, but most importantly, his heart is in the Division,” said PSD Deputy Director Jordan Lowe. “I am confident he will provide effective leadership and accountability and will ensure that the division operates efficiently.” Lt. Dobrowolsky most recently served, from 2011 to present, as the Commander of the Sheriffs Special Operations Unit supervising the Fugitive Apprehension Unit, Canine Unit and the Sheriff Rapid Enforcement and Counter Threat Team (REACT). His responsibilities included developing complex tactical and operational plans involving coordination with multiple federal, state and county agencies, and supervising the response to critical/high risk operations and special events for the state. He began his career in the Sheriff Division in 1994 as a deputy sheriff, tasked with various law enforcement assignments including criminal investigations, fugitive apprehension, and patrol operations. In 1998, he was promoted to sergeant and worked patrol, ran the District Court cellblock and the booking and receiving desk. And from 2000 to 2011 he was as the lead instructor Sergeant for PSD’s Law Enforcement Training Academy where he was responsible for the review of past training protocols and updating deputy sheriff recruit training Lt. Dobrowolsky also has a lengthy 28-year military career with the U.S. Army. He currently serves as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army’s B Company, 301st Military Intelligence, responsible for the welfare, training, readiness, and the overall mission success of the expeditionary ready force, and supervises operations conducted by intelligence analysts, cyber and signal intelligence, counter-intelligence special agents, and human intelligence operators. Lt. Dobrowolsky is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Department of Defense, Counter-Intelligence Special Agent Academy. The previous Sheriff Division First Deputy Reid Ogata retired at the end of December 2020. (Pictures and video from the ceremony can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2of0xco7je6u64z/AAC37MLXtyh9Xc_w16XQs2Waa?dl=0)

Residents of ʻAiea, Lower Hālawa, and Pearl City who have contributed to the betterment of the State of Hawai'i through their commitment to volunteer work are eligible to be nominated for the inaugural ʻAiea/Pearl City Community Heroes Award. The award will highlight and recognize residents who have made their community a better, livable, and more sustainable sense of place through their efforts in fostering goodwill throughout District 16 which covers ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Hālawa, Pearl Ridge, Pearl City, and Pearl Harbor. There will be two awardees who will be presented with a $500 cash prize which will be donated in their name to an organization of their choice. There will be one for a Pearl City resident and the other award for an ʻAiea resident. Criteria for eligibility include having participated in the organization or activity for at least six months prior to January 1, 2021. The Selection Committee will consider factors such as the effectiveness, scope, and amount of time dedicated to volunteer efforts. Examples of contributions that may be recognized include activities from coaching youth athletic programs, being a part of a beach clean-up, to volunteering for non-profit, charitable organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Aloha United Way. This project is jointly sponsored by the Office of Hawai'i State Senator Bennette E. Misalucha (Senate District 16) and Kanu Hawai'i, 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. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 2, 2021. The winners will be announced and celebrated virtually during Volunteer Week Hawai'i on April 18-24. For information on the contest, rules and criteria, or nominations, visit www.kanuhawaii.org. Nomination forms may be filled on online or printed. The completed PDF nomination forms may be emailed to heroes@kanuhawaii.org. For more information, please call (808) 586-6230 or email senmisalucha@capitol.hawaii.gov.

FOLLOWING UNANIMOUS CONFIRMATION, DIRECTOR CHAR PLEDGES TO CONTINUE WORK TO SAVE LIVES, HELP HAWAI‘I NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC Hawai‘i State Director of Health Dr. Elizabeth Char released the following statement following her unanimous confirmation by the Hawai‘i State Senate this morning: “Mahalo to Governor Ige and the members of the Senate for their confidence in my leadership of the Department of Health. I’m honored to be leading DOH with our team of 2,500 dedicated, passionate, and skilled individuals. Throughout the past year, this team has spearheaded a science-based, rational approach to save lives and help Hawai‘i navigate through the pandemic. “Looking forward, we must seek new opportunities and seize them when they arise to take lessons learned from COVID-19 to benefit our state’s recovery from the pandemic and beyond. I look forward to continuing our work to create a more robust and stable Department that is well-positioned for the challenges of the future.” PDF: Following unanimous confirmation, Director Char pledges to help Hawaii navigate through the pandemic

As a mark of respect for the late William Bains-Jordan, the first state representative of ʻAiea, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the flags of the United States and State of Hawai‘i shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard, from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Bains-Jordan served as chairman of the 49th State Fair and then served as a Republican in the House from 1959 to 1962. During his time at the Legislature, Bains-Jordan also chaired a committee to design the Hawai‘i State Capitol. Before his time in politics, Bains-Jordan worked at Bank of Hawaii, beginning in 1937, where he worked his way from “office boy” to vice president - helping to open multiple branch locations. He was also deeply invested in the community, serving the Hawai‘i Rotary Club for over 55 years, as well as working with the Boy Scouts, eventually becoming an Eagle Scout, chairing the Boy Scouts of Makahiki, and serving as district committeeman for two years. Bains-Jordan was born in Hilo, Hawai‘i, but spent most of his life on O‘ahu. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1935, then went on to attend the Cannon School of Business and the University of Hawai‘i. Bains-Jordan died at the age of 104 at his home in Madison, Alabama. He is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Schatz Releases New Resource Guide To Help Restaurants Access New Federal Program; Monday, March 15, 2021 U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released a resource guide to help Hawai‘i restaurants and other food and beverage establishments access a new federal grant program. Established under the America Rescue Plan Act, this program offers grants to help cover revenue losses as a result of the pandemic and can be used for a wide variety of expenses. “This new grant program will help Hawai‘i restaurants keep the lights on and keep employees on the payroll until we can return to normal life,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “If you own a local restaurant, I encourage you to visit our website to learn more about how this grant could help you stay afloat during this tough time.” Administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the new Restaurant Revitalization Fund will offer grants to small food and beverage businesses to cover the difference between 2019 revenue and 2020 revenue. Eligible businesses include restaurants; food stands, trucks, or carts; caterers; bars or lounges; saloons, inns, or taverns; and brewpubs, tasting rooms, or taprooms. Publicly-traded corporations and companies with more than 20 locations will not be eligible for this funding. The grants can be used for payroll, rent, mortgage, utilities, maintenance expenses, supplier costs, and other operational expenses. More details about how the program will be implemented — including when and how businesses can apply — are expected soon. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act is the second largest rescue package in American history and was signed into law on March 11. The full resource guide, including more details on eligibility and use of funds, can be found below and is available here. It will be continuously updated as the SBA releases more information in the coming days. SBA RESTAURANT GRANT PROGRAM The American Rescue Plan provides $29 billion nationwide for a new Small Business Administration (SBA) grant program specifically for restaurants and other food and drinking establishments impacted by the pandemic. Eligible Grant Recipients Restaurants; Food stands, trucks, or carts; Caterers; Bars or lounges; Saloons, inns, or taverns; Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, or other licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products; and Similar businesses where patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink. This includes entities located in airport terminals and Tribally-owned concerns. The following entities are not eligible: State or local government-operated businesses; Entities that own or operate (together with any affiliated business) more than 20 locations as of March 13, 2020, regardless of whether those locations do business under the same or multiple names; Publicly-traded companies; or Entities that have received a Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) grant, or have a pending application for an SVO grant. Grant Amount The grant is equal to the business’s pandemic-related revenue loss: 2019 gross receipts minus 2020 gross receipts. Note: businesses are required to reduce their pandemic-related revenue loss by any amounts received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If the eligible entity was not in operation for the entirety of 2019, the difference between: The product obtained by multiplying average monthly gross receipts in 2019 by 12; and The product obtained by multiplying average monthly gross receipts in 2020 by 12; or An amount based on a formula determined by the SBA at a later date. If the eligible entity opened after January 1, 2020, the grant amount will be based on costs incurred minus gross receipts received, with a specific formula to be determined by the SBA. The maximum grant size is $10 million per entity, limited to $5 million per physical location. Distribution of Grants $5 billion of the $28.6 billion total is earmarked for the smallest businesses. Defined as those with 2019 gross receipts of $500,000 or less. The remaining $23.6 billion is available for SBA to award grants in the order in which applications are received, but in an equitable manner based on applicants’ annual gross receipts. During the program’s first 21 days of operation, SBA will give priority to applications from businesses owned and operated by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 637(a)(4)(A)). Use of Funds Grant funding can be used for a wide variety of expenses, including: Payroll costs; Payment of principal or interest on any mortgage obligation (not including prepayment of principal); Rent, including rent under a lease agreement (but not including prepayment of rent); Utilities; Maintenance expenses, including construction to accommodate outdoor seating and walls, floors, deck surfaces, furniture, fixtures, and equipment; Supplies, including protective equipment and cleaning materials; Food and beverage expenses within the scope of normal business practice; Covered supplier costs; Operational expenses; Paid sick leave; and Any other expenses the SBA determines to be essential to maintaining the eligible entity. Applicant Certification Applicants must certify that the uncertainty of current economic conditions makes the grant request necessary to support ongoing operations, and that they have not applied for an SVO grant. Tax Treatment The ARP exempts SBA restaurant grants from gross income for tax purposes, and provides that such exclusion will not result in a denial of deduction, reduction of tax attributes, or denial of increase in basis. For partnerships and S corporations, the grant amount is treated as tax-exempt income for purposes of sections 705 and 1366 of the Internal Revenue Code, and the bill directs the Secretary of Treasury to prescribe rules for determining a partner’s distributive share of amounts received through the restaurant grant. Full Details Available At Schatz.Senate.Gov/Coronavirus/Small-Businesses/Restaurants

A number of progressive housing bills proposed by Senator Stanley Chang (District 9 – Hawai‘I Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kahala and Diamond Head), chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, passed the Hawaiʻi State Senate on March 9, 2021 and are heading to the State House of Representatives for consideration. Most notably: SB1 SD2: RELATING TO HOUSING (ALOHA HOMES) Establishes the ALOHA homes program to develop low-cost homes on state-owned and county-owned land in urban redevelopment sites to be sold in leasehold by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation (HHFDC) to qualified residents. Exempts certain land from the definition of public lands. Requires HHFDC to gain legislative approval before disposing of certain lands. Provides for the disposition of lands acquired by HHFDC but no longer needed for the ALOHA homes program. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2) SB2 SD2: RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS Clarifies that lands set aside to the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation by the governor or leased to the corporation by other state departments and agencies are exempt from the definition of “public lands”. Requires the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to dispose of public lands pursuant to chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Clarifies that lands set aside by the governor or leased to the Hawaii housing finance development corporation from other state agencies are subject to legislative approval prior to the sale or gift of those lands. Effective 7/1/2050. SB4 SD2: RELATING TO INCLUSIONARY ZONING Prohibits any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale in perpetuity to buyers who are residents of the State, are owner-occupants, and do not own any other real property. Requires each county to submit a report on inclusionary zoning requirements to the legislature every year until the regular session of 2026. Repeals the Act on 7/1/2026. SB749 SD2: RELATING TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to build non-subsidized housing. “The 2021 legislative session is heading in the right direction,” said Senator Chang. “In passing these bills, our state has taken important steps toward solving the housing shortage. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the State House of Representatives to continue advancing these bills.” Other notable housing measures proposed by Senator Chang that have crossed over to the State House of Representatives are SB7 SD1, SB12 SD1, SB29 SD2, SB35 SD1, SB36 SD2 and SB1337 SD1. ###

Nominations are being accepted for recognition of outstanding community volunteers, the County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns’ Volunteer Center announced. The center will hold its annual Volunteer Heroes Celebration of Service in April. The application deadline is at noon Thursday, April 1, 2021. To submit a nomination online visit HandsOnMaui.com. The direct link to submit a nomination is: https://www.handsonmaui.com/volunteer-hero-nomination-form/ Individuals volunteering with a nonprofit, private or government volunteer program are eligible to be nominated; one application per organization will be accepted. All Volunteer Hero nominees will be recognized with a County of Maui Volunteer Hero T-shirt and a certificate of appreciation from the Mayor’s Office. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings of people, there will be no in-person event this year. The Volunteer Heroes will be recognized on the HandsOnMaui.com site, in a press release, and on social media platforms during National Volunteer Week, April 18–24, 2021. This special Volunteer Center program recognizes volunteers who have made a great impact in Maui County. “I appreciate all that volunteers do in Maui County to make our community a better place to live, work and play,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Our Volunteer Heroes inspire us all with their service. Maui County’s people are our greatest asset, and volunteer service has been crucial as our community recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.” County of Maui Volunteer Coordinator Wendy Stebbins said: “Every day, volunteers on Maui, Molokai and Lanai make a positive impact that is impossible to measure. I want to especially thank all the volunteers and volunteer agencies pivoting to serve during the pandemic. Everyone who volunteers their time to help our community is a hero, and the Volunteer Heroes Celebration of Service event is the perfect opportunity to assist organizations in showing their sincere gratitude to the individuals whose dedication and commitment truly make a difference in the lives of others.” The County of Maui Volunteer Center is a resource and catalyst that leads, connects and mobilizes volunteers and volunteer agencies to contribute to a better life in Maui County. The Volunteer Center is a proud affiliate of the Points of Light: HandsOn Network, the largest volunteer network in the nation. For more information, visit HandsOnMaui.com or call Wendy Stebbins at (808) 270-7150. You can find The County of Maui Volunteer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Moanalua High School celebrated today the grand opening of its new Performing Arts Center. Students and staff welcomed Gov. David Ige, lawmakers and community members with tours of the facilities and student performances. “For over 20 years, the Performing Arts Center has been a part of our school’s vision. It’s very gratifying to see the vision become a reality,” Moanalua High School Principal Robin Martin said. “This center will serve to enrich the cultural lives of not only our students, but many other students and members of the Moanalua community.” Moanalua High School’s music program attracts 600 to 700 students each year and has a growing number of students participating in its dance and drama classes. First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, a former vice principal at Moanalua High School, recalled a time when, due to the school’s limited capacity, parents were unable to get seats to sold-out music program concerts. She said the school envisioned a Performing Arts Center to help remedy the issue. “All the community leaders, legislators, teachers, music boosters and parents never gave up before then, during that time. And now we’re here today,” Amano-Ige said. “I saw strength, dedication and commitment to a world-class music program.” Drawings of the building were first rendered back in 1999. Construction on the $32 million project began in April 2019. “When I was a student, this facility was just a drawing and a dream of the future,” said Jensen Ball, a Moanalua High School alumnus who will be serving as the center’s new manager. “I’m ecstatic that our students and community now have the opportunity to use this wonderful facility for many years to come.” In addition to serving Moanalua High School’s students and programs, the Performing Arts Center will also be available and accessible to the broader community. “The community and administrators focused on setting the stage for the most illustrious music program in Hawaii,” Sen. Glenn Wakai said. “This venue will be a dazzling gathering place for magnificent events.” Sen. Donna Mercado Kim added, “Not always do we as legislators get to see our dreams and plans come to fruition. This new performing arts facility will enhance our students’ experience. Thank you to all who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.” Also in attendance and credited for their support of the project were several legislators including retired Sen. Norm Sakamoto, Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson and Rep. Linda Ichiyama.