Maile's District 21 Blog

Email from Marcy Thomas:
Dear Maile:
I just wanted to remind people that we are still having our ongoing book sale during regular Library hours. We have a section of Christmas books on display including lots of gently used children books.
Merry Christmas,

Marcy

thomasm026@hawaii.rr.com

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Mele Kalikimaka from our family to yours! L-R: Shayne, Tyce, Jaedyn, Keani, & Maile
 

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I watched history in the making on 12/10/15, when the HI Supreme Court held its first ever oral argument at the Waianae High School gym.  I was so impressed by the students’ interest in the complex subject matter, and their courage to ask questions of the lawyers involved in the case, and the justices themselves.

Special mahalo to the HI State Judiciary; former congresswoman and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, and attorney Derek Kobayashi, who served as moderators; HSBA; ‘Olelo; all the Leeward Oahu school staff and students who participated from Waianae High, Island Pacific Academy, Pearl City High, Waipahu High, and Campbell High; and all others who made this event possible.

More information about this event can be found here:

http://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/press_releases/2015/12/oral_argument_waianae.html
Here’s some photos from the event (click images to enlarge):

Waianae High School freshmen, teachers, and staff posed with the Justices.
Continue reading →

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From: WNP BFC
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 11:50 AM
Subject: 12/14/15 – – BUSY BUSY Day!!!! 10am-7pm Health Insurance Open Enrollment Fair & 3pm-5pm FREE By Stander Training

Aloha All,

WE HAVE MOVED!

Wai’anae Neighborhood Place is NOT at Mill Street…we are at 85-888 Farrington Highway (between Wai’anae Drug Store & Golden House Restaurant)

We have joined our ‘Ohana Kako’o Resource Center and the Hi’iola Wai’anae (HealthCare.gov) Program.

Next Monday, we have two activities (see attachments) happening at our “NEW” site …please come and invite your families to check us out…if not on Monday – anytime.

Our Donation Closet has resumed, under a new schedule and requirements.  We are now open every month, but only on MONDAYS (9am-11am & 12:30pm-4:00pm – closed from 11am-12:30pm).  We have added a new “feature” called “Kuleana Chart”…our Kuleana Days are on Wednesdays from 2:30pm-4:00pm…where recipients of the donations will have an opportunity to give back to the Donation Closet in some way, shape or form.  If you are interested in donating to our Closet, please contact us to coordinate a day and time – please do not just drop off items unannounced.  Continue reading →

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From: Oliveira, Joyce A. M.
To: Sen. Maile Shimabukuro
Subject: HART Launches Holiday Shopping Shuttle

Dear Senator Shimabukuro,

On December 13, HART is launching a free community shuttle service as part of its Shop and Dine on the Line program. The Shop, Dine and Shuttle service will kick off with a 9:30 a.m. media launch in the parking lot of Aloha Stadium, in conjunction with the swap meet.

There will be two vehicles, an open-air trolley and a minibus (to comply with ADA requirements) and they will circulate along Kamehameha Highway to provide a free shuttle service. The service ties in with discounts from 100 local shops and restaurants that are now part of the Shop & Dine on the Line program.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.

Thank you,

Joyce Oliveira

Director of Government Relations

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation

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Star-Advertiser, 9 Dec. 2015

A Farrington Highway westbound lane will be closed for three hours Thursday morning [12/10/15] in Nanakuli’s Black Rock area, near the turn into Pōhakunui Avenue.

The closure will be in place while Hawaiian Electric Company crews remove equipment from a newly installed utility pole on the highway.

Traffic control measures, aided by special-duty police officers, will be used to direct traffic flow on Farrington Highway in the work area, according to a HECO news release.

Read this article on the Star-Advertiser site.

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From: WNP BFC
Date: December 3, 2015 at 2:17:02 AM HST
Subject: Please Select Hale Na’au Pono – Give Us A Boost by 1/17/16 – 2016 Aloha for Hawaii Charities

Aloha e ~

In September, we were selected by Friends of Hawaii Charities, whose principal fund-raising event is the Sony Open in Hawaii PGA Tour Golf Tournament, to participate in their 2016 Aloha for Hawaii Charities (AHC). This unique fundraising opportunity allows non-profit organizations, such as us, to raise funds during November 9, 2015 – January 17, 2016 4pm HST. What makes this unique is that the Aloha for Hawaii Charities program will match a percentage of what we raise, and we have set a first time goal of $5,000.00.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hale Na‘au Pono…

• SERVES, on average 1,400 community members (including about 200 children) annually.
• EMPLOYS, 88% of Wai‘anae Coast residents.
• In 2014, we PROVIDED 784 community residents with our donation closet items: clothing, footwear, accessories, kupuna equipment, housewares, small household furniture, strollers, cribs, car seats and other baby items.
• So far this year, we have DIRECTLY IMPACTED 5,097 community members and resources through community events, activities and training.

Would you be interested in donating to Hale Na‘au Pono?

You can donate by credit card (which is preferred) at the Friends of Hawaii Charities website at http://www.friendsofhawaii.org/contribute/aloha-hawaii-charities which is where you will see Hale Na‘au Pono listed as a 2015-2016 Participant.  Continue reading →

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Aloha~ Here are some requests for bills that I have received.  Please provide me with your feedback & any additional ideas you may have.

TRANSPORTATION

• Study to widen Farrington Hwy from Kalaeloa to Hakimo Rd using $233m in potential federal funds
• Extend the Waianae Coast emergency access road, from Helelua Street to Piliokahi Ave.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

• 1 year moratorium on foreclosures and ejectments of home owners to allow time for needed reforms to prevent fraudulent foreclosures; modeled after this bill: https://www.change.org/p/the-governor-of-or-immediate-statewide-moratorium-on-mortgage-foreclosures?recruiter=false
• Prohibit mortgage companies from  purchasing insurance or otherwise materially changing the terms of the mortgage notes that they take over from other lenders
• Prohibit homeowners associations from combining fines levied against homeowners with maintenance fees. Purpose is to prevent homeowners associations from foreclosing on properties based on non-payment of fines which may be in dispute.

JUDICIARY AND LABOR

• Automatic voter registration with drivers license and state ID applications
• Allow automatic payments to former spouses from the state Employees Retirement System
• Streamline the current worker’s compensation appeals system, to allow 3 levels of appeal: 1) initial appeal before a hearing officer; 2) 2nd appeal before the Labor Relations Board; 3) final appeal before the court system

HOUSING

• Remove limit of one section 8 tenant per TMK parcel
• Exempt payments from Section 8 home ownership program from food stamp income, even if payments are made out to home owner
• De-Regulate hale-building.  Click here for more info: https://21maile.com/2015/11/22/bill-to-legalize-indigenous-hawaiian-architecture/
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) – exempt the requirement to add a parking stall to the ADU if property is within 1/2 mile of bus stop (current law only includes rail stops).
• Legalize trailer parks on private lands

EDUCATION

• Air conditioning for public schools
• Move donations to private schools to the public schools and libraries category for campaign spending limit amounts

HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS

• Mandate the creation of assessment tests for Hawaiian immersion students in grades 3-6 which are originally written in the Hawaiian language
• Kalo leaf designated as official state dish, and Kalo leaf day/month
• Funding for the Aha Moku Advisory Commission

If you have any questions or concerns, contact my office at 586-7793.

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Click image to enlarge  

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Approximately 80 keiki participated in the “Stoke-O-Rama” surf contest at Makaha Beach on 11/28/15. The event was organized by Na Kama Kai, and made possible by a grant from the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation and many other generous sponsors.  Photos from the event, compliments of organizer Duane DeSoto, are below, click on images to enlarge.

For more information, visit:

http://www.nakamakai.org

http://positivevibewarriors.com

Downing Hawaii donated a surfboard to “Ray Ray” Senensi, who won in his division. Duane DeSoto of Na Kama Kai (far left), posed with Ray Ray and the Gudauskus Brothers, from the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation.

Duane DeSoto of Na Kama Kai (standing, far left) and Dane Gudauskus from the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation (wearing hat), posed with Ray Ray Senensi and his Ohana at the Stoke-O-Rama contest. Vans generously donated goodie bags for all participants.

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My family and I had a wonderful time at the Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club’s (MHCC) 6th Annual Scholarship Luau on 11/29/15, which honored David “Rona” Ka’aekuahiwi.  Some video and photos of the event, taken Shayne Sakoda, are below.  Click on the images to enlarge them.

For more information, visit: http://makahahawaiiancivicclub.m.webs.com

Several hula dancers performed to the beautiful music by Men of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, featuring David Kaio, Keola Grace, and friends. Continue reading →

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Kennedy Tulimasealii, University of Hawai’i All-Mountain West defensive lineman, closing in on one of his many quarterback sacks.

UH DL Tulimasealii named Mountain West Conference first team
Star-Advertiser, 1 Dec. 2015

University of Hawaii defensive lineman Kennedy Tulimasealii today was named to the 2015 Mountain West Conference first team.

Tulimasealii, a junior from Waianae High, led the Rainbow Warriors with 18.5 backfield tackles, including 3.5 sacks. He also had eight quarterback hurries.

“He came to play,” said Abraham Elimimian, who finished the 2015 season as UH’s defensive coordinator. “I think he’s just a tremendous athlete. He’s got the quickness of a linebacker and the strength of a defensive linemen. I’ve played with a lot of good players, and he’s unique.”

Read the full article on the Star-Advertiser site.

__________

Note from Senator Shimabukuro: “Kennedy, all of us on the Wai’anae Coast are so proud of you. You’ve brought much honor to the entire West Side as well as to the University of Hawai’i, Wai’anae High School, and the entire state with your outstanding performance on and off the field. Very best wishes to you, your teammates, and your coaches in 2016, your final season as a Warrior. Go ‘Bows!”

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