Punana Leo o Wai’anae 2016 Ku’ikahi Event Photos

Summer and Aunty Mele. Click here to view the album of photos taken by Summer Miles at the 27 Feb. 2016 Punana Leo o Wai’anae Ku’ikahi event.

L-R: Stacelynn Eli, Kalehua Caceres, ʻEkekela Aiona, Rep. Jo Jordan, Sen. Maile Shimabukuro. To view the “Ku’ikahi” album of photos by Francis Farrelly, click here. Francis can be reached via email: golddiamondphotography@gmail.com, Website/Gallery: http://www.golddiamondphotography.com/

Shayne Sakoda and Maile Shimabukuro.

   

Keani holding the event program.

Sen. Shimabukuro and her son, Keani.    
Sen. Shimabukuro’s mother, Karen Young; and step-father, Dr. Fred Dodge.

 

Standing, L-R: Malia Miles holding Kamana’oli, Manny Miles, Sen. Shimabukuro, Summer Miles.  Sitting, L-R: Keohi, Keani, Karen Young, Fred Dodge, Shayne Sakoda.

For more information about Punana Leo o Wai`anae, visit their Facebook page or:

http://www.ahapunanaleo.org/en/index.php?/programs/detail/puunana_leo_o_waianae/

Corvette Center Ministries Grant in Aid Visit

On Friday, February 26th, we toured the Waianae Internet cafe to meet with applicants of our annual Grants in Aid. Grants in Aid are funding sources awarded by the Legislature each year for a variety of projects, programs, and other initiatives. If you haven’t been to the Internet Cafe yet, I highly suggest you check it out! They have fax/scan/copy services, as well as provide valuable job training skills with a specific focus on helping the homeless. The space is beautifully renovated and the staff are awesome!

Grant-in-Aid applicant: Corvette Center Ministries dba Zion Ipuka. Goal is to open a transitional center in Waianae and provide the homeless with a variety of services in order to serve as a bridge for them to transition back into the community.

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/…/Corvette%20Center%20Ministr…

Waianae Economic Development Council Grant in Aid Visit

The Waianae Economic Development Council (formerly the Waianae Coast Coalition) develops economic opportunities on the Waianae Coast. Their goals include building the physical infrastructure for local businesses to develop and grow by utilizing the rich culture, history, natural resources, and people of our community. Their Grant in Aid (GIA) request is for capital to build multi-certified kitchens and training facilities to serve as an incubator for start-up and small food producers on our coast.

Grant-in-Aid submitted by the Waianae Economic Development Council for a certified kitchen and community development capacity building.

Waianae Public Library Xeriscaping Project

The Waianae Public Library will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary, and in honor of that, they have undertaken a xeriscaping project to give the building a fabulous new look! Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation, therefore establishing a sustainable and environmentally friendly beautification project.

And, did you know that the library has a mobile app, too?! Check it out!

Hawaii Literacy Program Grant in Aid Visit

The Hawaii Literacy program is seeking a Grant in Aid to help expand their program and services to the Waianae coast, Kauai, and Kona. They teach adult literacy, run the Bookmobile, have free family literacy libraries, and run the English Language Learner (ELL) program helping adults learn english and improve communication skills.

Click to access Hawaii%20Literacy,%20Inc._Redacted.pdf

Waianae Coast Community Foundation Grant in Aid Visit

Patti Kahanamoku-Teruya is the driving force behind Waianae Coast Community Foundation, a Grant in Aid applicant who is looking for funding to facilitate and support the growth and operations of the After School All-Stats program, the Nanakuli High and Intermediate School’s Project Graduation, and Toys For Tots Program (in partnership with the US Marine Corps).

Click to access Wai’anae%20Coast%20Community%20Foundation_Redacted.pdf

http://www.waianaeccfoundation.org/

Ho`omana Pono Visit

Although not currently requesting a Grant in Aid, Ho`omana Pono, LLC, presented a little about their mission. They are an organization created to fulfill the need to Empower Kanaka Maoli, and give voice to the voiceless. DeMott and Momi Conner are the founders of this organization, and consistently come testify at the legislature on various Native Hawaiian issues and topics. Ho`omana Pono means: “Righteous Empowerment”.

Hoa’Aina O Makaha Grant in Aid Visit

Hoa’Aina O Makaha is made up of an amazing group of people, headed up by Gigi and working in partnership with Makaha Elementary School. They focus on “Learning by Doing”, by providing hands on activities as they relate to classroom subject matter, as well as the important task of “growing people”. Children learn in this classroom without walls and focus on sustainability, culture, composting, plant life cycles, food systems, and animal care. Their Grant in Aid request will help facilitate and continue their container gardening initiative, which hopes to provide small container gardens to households all over the Waianae coast, teaching them to be healthier via gardening at home. If you have not visited this tiny parcel of paradise, I highly suggest you go check it out!

Na Kama Kai Grant in Aid Visit

Duane DeSoto heads up Na Kama Kai, a foundation which addresses ocean safety and ocean access to children. They partner with the Junior Lifeguard Program, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Polynesian Voyaging Society, among many other amazing groups. Their Grant in Aid request would fund an ocean recreation and learning center at one of several possible locations around Pokai Bay in Waianae. It would act as a headquarters for ocean learning and safety programs that they offer to the community. For more information, you can email Duane at info@nakamakai.org.

Click to access Na%20Kama%20Kai_Redacted.pdf

Waianae High School – Teach for America award for Sarah Kern and Grant in Aid Visit

Senate President Ronald Kouchi and I visited Waianae High School (WHS) on 02/26/16 to see what was new and exciting on campus, and we learned about their Cooler Classroom initiative, putting PV/AC’s in their classrooms. Niralyn Okuna of their Facilities showed us their pilot project AC unit of 2 Lezeti hybrid solar PV/AC units, generously donated by GreenPath Technologies. These systems save up to 70% on cooling costs, have no utility approval requirement, operate extremely quietly, and have zero feedback into the grid.

Another wonderful project being hoped for is a store front which would market goods produced by the students. Products would come from WHS’s aquaculture, organic farming, Searider Productions, and other programs. The store front would be located in an area between the harbor and the baseball field, and would be an interactive learning facility for students. Students would practice business skills, marketing, financial literacy, regulartory compliance, and social responsibility.

Also on our visit to Waianae High School, we had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Kern, who was awarded a Hawaii Milken Educator “Teacher of Promise” Award. She recieved a congratulatory Senate Certificate, as well as a monetary award from Hawaii USA Federal Credit Union. Congrats, Sarah! We need more teachers like you!!!

 

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center – Grant in Aid Visit

Our visit to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center was the perfect way to start the morning on February 26, 2016. As the largest employer on the Waianae Coast, they cover myriad health, emergency services, dental care, and even certification for home care specialists and other health professionals. We had a lovely breakfast at Kaahaaina Cafe and talked about their Grant in Aid requests, the priority one being to fund an expansion of their dental clinic into the space currently occupied by… their laboratory, so they can offer 6 more dental suites for patients. Because they are one of the only clinics to offer Medicaid dental services, they have more demand than they can currently handle, and are working diligently to expand as quickly as possible. The laboratory services will be moving into their newest building, which is adjacent to its current location and currently under construction.

Click to access Waianae%20District%20Comprehensive%20Health%20and%20Hospital%20Board,%20Incorporated_Redacted.pdf

Road Work on Farrington Hwy. update

NANAKULI (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Two lanes closed on Farrington Highway in the eastbound direction between Haleakala Avenue and Nanakuli Avenue on Sunday night, Feb. 28, through Friday morning, Mar. 4, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly, for sewer installations. One lane will be open in each direction.

EWA BEACH (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Closure of the Farrington Highway westbound off-ramp to the southbound Fort Weaver Road on Sunday night, Feb. 28, through Friday morning, Mar. 4, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly, for the rail project.

PEARL CITY (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Closure of the Farrington Highway eastbound off-ramp to the northbound H-2 Freeway on Sunday night, Feb. 28, through Friday morning, Mar. 4, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly, for the rail project.
PEARL CITY (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closures on Farrington Highway in westbound direction between Waiawa Road and the Kamehameha Highway Overpass on Sunday night, Feb. 28, through Friday morning, Mar. 4, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly, for the rail project.
WAIPAHU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Closure of the Farrington Highway eastbound off-ramp to the H-1 Freeway on Sunday night, Feb. 28, through Friday morning, Mar. 4, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., nightly, for the rail project.

For more information, please visit the project website for The Rail at http://www.honolulutransit.org/.