All Are Welcome to Hawaiian Caucus Day on 3/9/10, 10am-4pm, at the State Capitol

Record breaking simultaneous ku`i kalo (poi pounding) at the Taro Festival organized by KAHEA, which coincided with last year's Hawaiian Caucus Day at the State Capitol on 3/24/09. [Click on the photo for a larger view]

Hawaiian Caucus Day, spearheaded by Rep. Mele Carroll, and sponsored by members of the Hawaiian Caucus, is happening Tuesday, March 9, 2010; 10am-4pm, at the HI State Capitol. The event will feature Hawaiian cultural and educational booths, entertainment, and demonstrations. During the Senate and House floor sessions (11:30am and noon, respectively), the Legislature is scheduled to honor surfers who have perpetuated Hawai`i as the birthplace of the sport, as well as Ali`i Nui of the Royal Order of Kamehameha.

The event is free and open to the public. If you are interested in hosting a booth, giving a demonstration, entertaining, or participating in the ku`i kalo demonstration, contact Rep. Mele Carroll, or Rep. Shimabukuro by emailing maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com or calling 586-8460.

Here are more photos from last year's event [Click on the photos for larger views]:

Maile pictured with attorney Moses Haia (far left), and other staff from Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation.
Gege Kawelo, president of the Waianae Hawaiian Civic Club, and Maile.
Display by Ka Huli Ao (Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law).
Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law, William S. Richardson School of Law, UH Manoa. Pictured: Maile, Calvin Hoe, Sunny Greer - Recent graduate, Derek Kauanoe - Post JD Fellow, and Jocelyn Leialoha M-Doane - Post JD Fellow


Maile, Corrina Moefu of Partners in Development, and June Shimokawa of the Welfare and Employment Rights Coalition

Maile and staffmember Ann Otteman with a representative from the Bishop Museum.

UH law student Ann Otteman (who is also a member of Maile's staff), Maile & Alan Murakami of Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation



BYU-Hawaii Social Work Studies students and their instructor, Sharlene Furuto, who is originally from Waianae.

L to R: Elizabeth Finau, Penny Anale, Lupi Fiefa, Maile, Sharlene Furuto, Wendy Vaivai and Jennifer Tongi.

Students and parent from Punanaleo O Waianae, KCC instructors, Hawaiian sled/board carver Tom Pohaku Stone, and Maile.
Reknowned ancient Hawaiian sled and surfboard carver Tom Pohaku Stone and Maile.

Maile and Lynn Fallin of Kamaile Academy/Ho`okako`o Corporation

Daniel Anthony, Maile's nephew, pounding poi at the Taro Festival/Hawaiian Caucus Day.



Maile, Ruby Maunakea, Gege Kawelo, and Chair Faye Hanohano at the Waianae Hawaiian Civic Club table.


Mahalo to Hawaiian Caucus Chair Mele Carroll and everyone who participated in and helped organize Hawaiian Caucus Day!

Come and Ku`i Kalo (Pound Poi) Every Saturday in Nanakuli at Hale Ola

Daniel Anthony provides all you need to prepare poi the traditional way in Nanakuli every Satuday. [Click on the image for a larger view].

Daniel Anthony invites the community to "ku`i kalo" (pound poi) every Saturday from 2-5pm at Alu Like's "Hale Ola" site (89-137 Nanakuli Avenue). The only cost is for the kalo, which is $3.50/lb. For more information, call Alu Like or Daniel at 542-1326.

Background information on Daniel's "Mana `Ai" business is below:

Mana `Ai Offers Fresh Poi, Pa`i`ai, Dried Aku & "Koina Puffs"

Locally owned and operated "Mana `Ai" offers fresh poi, pa`i`ai, dried aku, and "koina puffs" (a delicious version of poi mochi).

Prices are as follows:

Pa`i`ai (concentrated poi): $10 per pound for pre-orders of 2 lbs. or more, or $12 per pound

Poi: $5 per pound for pre-orders of 4 lbs. or more, or $6 per pound

Dried Aku: $25 per pound (also available in $6 containers)

Koina Puffs (poi mochi): $1 each (available at Farmer's Markets only; these sell out fast!)

Locations:

Sunday: North Shore Farmer's Market

Monday: Papakolea/Waimanalo

Saturday: Wai`anae Farmer's Market

Delivery service and mail orders also available.

For more information, visit http://www.manaai.com/, or call 542-1326.

Kea`au Beach Clean Up Draws Over 200 Volunteers: Update - "GOOD SAMARITANS" POUR IN TO HELP HAUL LEFTOVER TRASH!

A big crew from Henkels & McCoy (H&M) hauled 200+ tires and bulky items from Kea`au on 2/26/10. H&M employees who volunteered included: Mike Alvarez, Joe Morris, Keola Rosario, David Kaauwai, Jeff Detinne, Jorge Vazquez, Mark Tsuha, Franklin Carabbacan, Darrel Bio, George Agustin, Jose Galariada, and Malia Cook.

Todd Liddy, a boat broker, hauled away an 18' boat and a broken trailer on 2/26/10. [Click on the photo below for a full-sized view].

Thanks to the many good samaritans who responded to coverage by the Honolulu Advertiser (Will Hoover) and KITV (Dick Allgire/Keoki Kerr) about leftover trash at Kea`au. During the last week of February, these volunteers, along with many of the houseless, hauled away all of the remaining trash from the 2/13/10 clean up.

Businesses, non-profits, and individuals who helped included Henkels & McCoy Inc. (Mike Alvarez & his team, who brought 3 dump trucks and heavy equipment), Todd Liddy (who hauled away an 18' boat and a broken trailer, click on image above), Foster Realty (Sylvia "Elsie" Foster & staff, who hauled away highway trash on 2/25/10), Partners in Development (Kia`i Lee, Danny Goya & staff), Mililani Middle School, Wai`anae Community Outreach (Tulutulu Toa & her team), & Nani `O Wai`anae (Mark Suiso, Lucy Gay, Alice Greenwood, & others). The City and State also hauled trash and bulky items, and several individuals asked to be notified of future clean-ups. You are true heroes!

2/13/10 Group shot [Click to enlarge]

Kanu HI & Rep. Maile Shimabukuro co-sponsored one of four Kokua Festival/Star 101.9 beach clean up's, at Kea`au Beach on 2/13/10. Supporters included Nani `O Wai`anae, Schnitzer Steel, Roll-Offs HI, Interstate Batteries, Penske, City & County of Honolulu, Wai`anae Community Outreach, & Kokua HI Foundation. Mahalo nui loa to the 200+ volunteers, including several of the Kea`au houseless (Bert, Joe, Al, "Honey Girl," Easter, "Biggie," Yolanda, & Penny Rose). Together we gathered approximately 700 bags of trash, two 20' containers of bulky items and metal, 25+ batteries, and 200+ tires!

To view more photos from the Kokua HI Foundation, click HERE or go to: http://gallery.me.com/nataliemckinney/100085

To view more photos from Maile, click HERE or go to this link to view more photos of the event: http://maileswaianaecoastphotos.shutterfly.com/200

HB2311 RELATING TO PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS ("flagpole bill")

Many of you may have noticed a great deal of media coverage re this bill and the insinuation that it deals with an individual's right to fly the American flag.

Some points of clarification:

• HB2311 proposes to allow the use of flag poles to fly the U.S. flag or the Hawaii state flag at residences within planned community associations.

• The bill is not about flying the flag in general. Most homeowners have their First Amendment right to do so. Even those in planned communities may be able to display the flag in their windows, doors or hang on their porch.

• This bill was about those who live in planned communities where they may have agreed to covenants and restrictions that prevent them from raising a flag pole to fly the flag.

• Although governed by those planned community rules and regulations, there are some people who feel that they should be able to build a flagpole and raise the flag (American or Hawaii's state flag).

• I support our veterans and have respect for both our U.S. and Hawaii state flag, and I believe the Waianae veterans I have come to know during my years in elected office know this.

• However, the ORIGINAL language of HB2311 was so poorly worded that it would have allowed a resident to raise a flag with no assurance that the flag would be treated with respect and proper protocol.

• Under the ORIGINAL wording of the bill, a person could abuse or burn a flag under this bill, and there is little that could be done to prevent that, which is a disturbing possibility for me.

• In addition, planned community associations establish their own rules and regulations based on the needs and desires of their members. People choose to buy a home within these communities knowing that these rules are in place.

• If possible, the legislature should not interfere with the governance of a planned community association.

• The issue of allowing residents to use flag poles to fly flags should be taken up with the planned community association, with the input of all the members of the association, and not the legislature.


The House HSG decided to give the bill another hearing, and subsequently passed out an AMENDED version.

The ORGINAL version can be viewed HERE.

The AMENDED version can be viewed HERE.

Adopt-A-Stream/Adopt-A-Block April 24,2010

From: Officer Herman Scanlan, HPD

This is a clean up project in our neck of the woods & it's another aspect
of caring for our neighborhood...

We are asking for volunteers to participate in another worthy cause
for our community...

If you are interested please follow the instructions below...

If you have any questions regarding this matter please feel free to call me...

Thank you all for all that you do...

Aloha...
Officer H. Sam Scanlan
Honolulu Police Department
District 8, Community Policing Team
(808) 723-8407
hscanlan@honlulu.gov

*******************************************

Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010

Time: 8:30-10:30am

Meet at various locations:
* Ulehawa Drainage Channel or Princess Kahanu Estates
* Maili Sea Country
* Kaopuni Stream

Goals:
1. Create awareness of non-point source pollution and water quality issues.

2. Provide information on protecting our waters to specific audiences; visit the City's clean water website at www.cleanwaterhonolulu.com or call me at 768-3248 for school presentations, adopt-a-stream/adopt-a-block cleanups on Oahu, adopt-a-stream train the trainer workshop, Earth Month Expo at the Waikiki Aquarium in April, Ewa Clean Water Day in May, Watershed Field Days/World Water Monitoring, Make A Difference Month, Good Neighbor Awards, Earth Month Teen Video Contest.

3. Encourage partnerships between concerned citizens and local government

4. Motivate positive behavior change to keep streams healthy


What volunteers need to know:

1. All volunteers must sign a release form at http://www.cleanwaterhonolulu.com/storm/hero/Adopt%20-%20Release.pdf. Bring release form to cleanup.

2. Dress to get dirty. Wear covered shoes, hat. Bring sunscreen and water.

3. Adopt-A-Stream/Adopt-A-Block trash bag pick up coordinated with City crews.

4. Supplies provided by the City and County of Honolulu Adopt-A-Stream/Adopt-A-Block Program.

Volunteer action items: (50 volunteers, minimum)
1. 1 group of 15 to help remove litter from City easement areas adjacent to Ulehawa Drainage Channel

2. 1 group of 5 to help stencil storm drains in Princess Kahanu

3. 2 group of 5 (10) to help stencil storm drains in Sea Country, Maili

4. 1 group of 15 to help remove litter and graffiti in and around Kaopuni Stream, across from the Boys and Girls Club

5. 1 group of 5 to help remove litter in and around Kaopuni Stream at Haleahi and complete visual survey of stream

6. Report storm water illicit discharges to 768-32467, potential flood problem to 768-7890, sidewalk maintenance/vacant lot overgrowth to 768-8280, bulky item issues to 768-3407.

Thank you,
Iwalani Sato
City and County of Honolulu
Storm Water Community Relations Specialist
(808) 768-3248, (808) 497-4766 (cellular)

FREE TAX CLINIC AT STATE CAPITOL

The House of Representatives
STATE OF HAWAII

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Rep. Della Au Belatti
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Telephone: 808-586-9425
February 24, 2010 Email: repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov

FREE TAX CLINIC AT STATE CAPITOL HELPS TAXPAYERS SAVE MONEY AND CLAIM VALUABLE TAX

HONOLULU, HAWAII. On Saturday February 27, 2010, from 9 am to 2 pm, IRS-certified volunteers will be in Conference Room 329, on the 3rd floor of the State Capitol, to assist taxpayers in filing their annual tax returns. For more information about the special clinic at the Hawaii State Capitol and to make an appointment, taxpayers should call 808-393-4364.

In partnership with the Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development (HACBED) and its partner organizations, state legislators* are hosting this special tax clinic to encourage low-to-moderate income taxpayers to save money and claim valuable tax credits.

Free parking will be available at the public's blue-metered stalls in the Capitol basement. For help locating other free tax assistance sites on other dates, taxpayers can call Aloha United Way’s Helpline at 2-1-1. For a complete list of tax sites on Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai, more information about the EITC, other tax credits, and HACBED’s Family and Individual Self-Sufficiency Program, taxpayers should visit the Program’s website at www.hawaiitaxhelp.org .

*State legislators sponsoring this first-time free tax clinic at the State Capitol are Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Representatives Karen Awana, Della Au Belatti, John Mizuno, Karl Rhoads, and Maile Shimabukuro.

Legislative Update

Aloha! Here is an update on bills of concern to constituents and community groups. I continue to serve as Vice-Chair of the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and I am a member of the Health, Human Services, Education, & Higher Education Committees. Education . HB 200 HD1 SD2 CD1(2009) and HB 2200 (2010), the state budget, includes $3 mil for plans, land, design, construction & equipment for LCC/Wai'anae Education center . SB 2797 extends Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association trusts—a health plan for public school teachers—to July 1, 2012 Health & Human Services . HB 1366 (SB 1310) establishes a medical home healthcare demonstration project for Wai'anae and Waimanalo areas . HB 1642 specifies that proposals for purchases of health & human services must be submitted by licensed providers and for exact amount to be expended by the state . HB 2085 (SB 2099) sets limits on requests for proposals from providers for QUEST contracts exceeding $100 mil & commencing after agency director's terms expires . SB 2469 appropriates funds from Emergency & Budget Reserve Fund ("Rainy Day") for Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Housing . Congressional appropriations for FY'10, as submitted by Rep. Mazie Hirono, include funding for two Wai'anae Coast projects: $100,000 each for Habitat for Humanity's Kaukamana Hale 25-unit Self-Help Bldg Proj & Maili Self-Help Housing . HB 2895 lets homeowner force court supervised foreclosure if non-judicial foreclosure is successfully appealed due to unfair sales price . SB 2799 allows property owner to name beneficiaries on death without probate or will Energy & Environment . HB 2125 requires businesses to collect an offset fee for each plastic or paper disposable checkout bag distributed to costumers . SB 2012 prohibits City &Co. of Honolulu landfills from accepting municipal solid waste as of 7/1/12, and other counties after date set by county council resolution Consumer Protection . HB 2921 revises minimum requirements for licensing electricians and plumbers Hawaiian . HB 1818 requires Dept of Public Safety to establish a reintegration pilot program that combines cognitive behavioral theory with Native Hawaiian holistic interventions . HB 1965 requires an archaeological survey prior to the sale or long-term lease of an undeveloped property in the state . HB 2672 resolves claims and disputes relating to the portion of income and proceeds from the lands of the public land trust for use by OHA between 11/7/78 and 7/1/08 Public Safety . HB 1940 (SB 2045) establishes class A, B & C felony sexual human trafficking and labor trafficking offenses and provides for prosecution of offenses . HB 2389 (SB 2249) makes it a Class C felony to assault a water safety officer who is engaged in the performance of a duty . HB 2390 (SB 2894) eliminates statute of limitations for child sex abuse prosecutions Transportation . HB 200 HD1 SD1 CD1 (Budget) includes $7.5 mil for construction on Farrington Hwy for congestion relief and safety improvements between Honokai Hale and Hakimo Rd; $3.5 million for replacement of bridges on Farrington Hwy near Makaha Beach Park . Federal Stimulus Funds provide $1.5 mil for dredging entrance channel to Wai'anae Small Boat Harbor Agriculture . SB 2780 protects agriculturally suitable lands on Oahu (includes Ho'opili & Koa Ridge); provides for mandatory extension of agricultural leases . SB 2781 allows designation of important agricultural lands by the Legislature Economic Development . HB 2382 establishes digital media enterprise subzones surrounding UH campuses and gives tax benefits for developing infrastructure within these zones Capital Improvements HB 1640 (2009) provides for funding of numerous school, health, transportation and recreational projects in House District 45 (Wai'anae/Makaha/Makua) HB 2616 (2010) funds the following District 45 projects: Farrington Hwy drainage improvements near Orange St., Makaha ($3.6 mil); E Ala Voyaing Canoe Education Center ($3 mil); UH West Oahu Phase I construction ($3 mil)

Matson's Ka Ipu 'Aina Program Is Great Resource to Fundraise & Clean Up the Community

Aloha –

Thank you for your interest in Matson Navigation Company's Ka Ipu 'Āina (container for the land) program. Over the past six years, this program has enjoyed much success in helping Hawaii’s non-profits raise funds, as well foster environmental stewardship and community responsibility for their volunteers.

Matson is proud to present our redesigned and improved program. Our intent was to make it simpler for non-profits to use, and yet provide more structure to prevent potential abuse of the system. A major change to the program is the introduction of an application process. Groups will now need to complete an application and be accepted into the program before they can conduct a clean-up project. The application is attached HERE and instruction sheets are attached HERE.

[Note from Maile: Through this program, Matson provides a container for groups to deposit trash into that is collected at community clean-up's. Eligible non-profits who participate receive $1000 from Matson!]

For more information, contact:

Keahi Birch

Hawaii Program Coordinator

Manager - Environmental Affairs, Hawaii

Matson Navigation Company

office: 808.848.1252

fax: 808.845.3892

email: kbirch@matson.com