Maile's District 21 Blog

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, UHWO Chancellor Gene Awakuni, Sen. Jill Tokuda, UH President M. R. C. Greenwood, Sen. Clarence Nishihara. [Photo by Russ Awakuni]

From: Gene I. Awakuni, Chancellor, University of Hawaii – West Oahu
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 3:14 PM

UH West Oahu is aware of questions circulating in the community about construction costs and financing, and we understand there are some subcontractors who are unhappy with the speed of their payments.

We and RCUH (the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii) are in active communication with the general contractor and others and have recently met with the contractor to verify the timing and extent of outstanding costs. The Board of Regents has been made aware of this issue.

RCUH managed the project with Chancellor Gene Awakuni as Principal Investigator. With a project of this size and complexity, it is not unexpected that we would encounter some delays in processing. This has been a challenging project to complete for years and has, in what has been a difficult economy, required some creative means of obtaining financing to meet the pressing covenants with the land donor.

We’re proud and grateful we were able to complete and open it up to 2000 students this week.

The construction cost of UH West Oahu is $173 million. We have in place a finance package of $177 million. The details of it are as
follows:
1.  General obligation bonds of $91 million  2. Revenue bonds of $68 million  3. EB5 Loan provided by the CanAm Group for $18 million  (the attached FAQ provides background about the EB5 loan)

Pursuant to Section 37D of HRS, we obtained the approval of the State Attorney General and the Director of Budget and Finance in order to apply for and get this loan.  The $18 million is in an escrow account awaiting our project’s approval by the U.S. Government.  The money was due to be released in June, then July, and now projected to be October.

In effect, we have encountered a cash flow problem.

Due to this unanticipated delay in the release of this money, the university is in the process of developing and will present to the Board of Regents if it should be necessary a proposal for short-term funding so that we may meet our obligations. We thank the contractors for their patience,hard work, and for diligently meeting our deadlines. This matter is of urgent concern and it is our intention to catch up with payments as swiftly as possible.

Related Post:
UH West O`ahu Opening Day Photos 8/18/12

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From: Sterling Wong
Subject: FW: ESEA Waiver/New Hawaiian Test Development Team
To: “Maile Shimabukuro

Aloha Senator,

Per our discussion yesterday, please see below for information on what’s happening now with the testing issue.  Mahalo again for all your help.  We would’ve never got this far without your kokua.  More information to come.

Sterling Wong
Public Policy Manager
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
711 Kapi’olani Blvd. Ste. 500
Honolulu, HI 96813

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From: K9 Kokua

Aloha all!

Summer Splash is almost here! We are very excited that we were able to put this together!

Many people have been asking if we are having a dog wash at this year’s Summer Splash, but due to the timing and our volunteer numbers, sadly we are unable to offer that to our supporters this year.

However, we have a volunteer groomer that is offering her services of fur trims and nail clippings at her booth.

And keeping with the theme of summer (and beating the heat)…we will again be in the covered breezeway area and be handing out handheld fans to attendees.

Ever meet a certified therapy dog? Come and say hello to the Tails of Aloha team or bring your keiki to enjoy the petting zoo! We have a variety of booths for all ages.

Guess the number of balls in a vehicle, courtesy of Cutter Pearl City, and WIN a prize!

As an added bonus, McGruff the Crime dog will be there this year!

We greatly appreciate your support for the dogs in need!

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Please see job listing below and also posted on the web at http://www.tobaccofreehawaii.org/about-us/jobs/

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai’i / Healthy Communities Hawai’i

INTRODUCTION
The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai’i (CTFH) is seeking a new Executive Director as it changes its name to Healthy Communities Hawaii (HCH) and expands its mission to enable a more collaborative, coordinated and effective response to the high rates of chronic disease and health disparities among underserved populations in Hawaii.

CTFH recently concluded a community process to examine public health gaps in Hawaii in order to potentially expand its work.  As a result of this process, CTFH decided to change its name and become an umbrella organization in public health with a mission “to improve the health and quality of life in Hawai`i.”

The new Executive Director will lead HCH’s expansion effort, while also continuing CTFH’s long and successful history of working on tobacco control issues.

Key attributes of the new Executive Director will be:

* Entrepreneurial and visionary leadership with an ability to build programs and an organization

* Skilled and experienced nonprofit manager

* Ability to formulate and execute fund development strategies

* Experienced in public policy advocacy, ideally in public health and/or health promotion

JOB SUMMARY
The Executive Director administers the agency and its services with the direction, policies and long range plans of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director serves as chief executive and planning officer.  The Executive Director provides visionary leadership to oversee and manage agency functions including program and policy development; administrative compliance, coalition coordination and membership, fiscal affairs, grant submissions; fund development; staff hiring, termination and supervision; public relations; advocacy; strategic plan development/execution, and outreach to partner/potential partner organizations.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
* Bachelors degree, graduate degree preferred, in public policy, public health, or other relevant field.

* Five or more years of management experience in a nonprofit environment.

* Demonstrated ability to fundraise and manage grants and contracts.

* Knowledge of Hawaii’s legislative and policy-making environment and process.

* Success working within diverse coalitions a must.

SALARY
Salary commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit a cover letter and resume to searchcommittee@tobaccofreehawaii.org

This position is open until filled.  The Search Committee will review applicants on a rolling basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
CTFH/HCH provides equal employment opportunity in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

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Ka Wai Ola O Wai`anae organized a rally of over 200 people to protest illegal dumping on the Wai`anae Coast on 8/17/12.  L-R: Carlos Silva, Antone Cabral, Richard Medeiros, Tammy Cabral, and Jolyn Ballenti.

Illegal Residential Dumping Sign Holding Rally, August 17, 9am
Organized by Ka Wai Ola O Waianae, a nonprofit organization

From keikis to kupuna’s, over 200 family and friends gathered on August 17 to raise awareness on illegal dumping on the Waianae Coast. We, as a community, are coming together to stop illegal dumping in Waianae. We understand that people have to dump, but they should dump legally. Illegal dumping has been a problem that has affected the Waianae Coast for many years.

Special thanks to these groups and organizations who came out: Waianae Boys and Girls, Waianae ROTC, Nanakuli High School, Nanakuli All-Star baseball team, Leeward Paniolas, Makaha Civic Club, Rise-Up, Hoomalu, Nani o Waianae, Learning Disabilities of Hawaii, Waianae High cheerleaders, Waianae Tigers, Coach Kepa, Leeward Canoe Club, McDonald’s Waianae, and many community members.

Stay tuned for more positive events from Ka Wai Ola O Waianae. For more information on how you can get involved and join our task force, visit our Facebook page at Ka Wai Ola O Waianae or email Tammy Cabral at  ttcabral@hotmail.com

Communication Director
Pake Salmon
pakesalmon@yahoo.com

KHON2: “Stop Illegal Dumping in Waianae,” 8/15/12.

HawaiiNewsNow: “Waianae Neighbors Fight Illegal Dumping,” 8/18/12.

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Sam “Kamu” Kapoi and fellow members of Wai`anae’s Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i Canoe Club are heading a movement to have the City & County of Honolulu build an Outdoor Fitness Area at Pokai Bay. The video was shot at the Neal S. Blaisdell Park in Pearl City (Waimalu) to point out the type of facility they have in mind. To help with the fundraiser, email him at samkapoi@gmail.com

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