House collects thousands of dollars, cans of food for Hawaii Foodbank

The House of Representatives proudly presented a check for $6,854 along with 5,656 lbs of canned goods to the Hawaii Foodbank this week. Legislators and staff in representatives' offices and the different House agencies collected money and cans of food to earn "points" over a six-week period. Rep. John Mizuno's office coordinated this year's drive.

Coming in at first place with the most overall points for all House Agencies and Representatives was the House Sergeant-At-Arms with 534,850 points and House Chief Clerk's Office with 162,101 points as runner-up. Freshmen Representative Karl Rhoads (District 28 - Palama, Downtown, Chinatown, Sheridan) topped the competition among Representatives, collecting a grand total of 112,415 points along with Representative Hermina Morita (District 14 - Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, Waipouli) for second place with 18,202 points.

House Agency Offices were also divided into teams. The Red Team, comprised of Sergeant-At-Arms and the House Majority Staff Office, came in first place with 545,220 points. The Blue Team, comprised of House Chief Clerk, Accounting, and Printshop, came in second place with 165,271 points. The Yellow Team, comprised of Public Access, House Minority Staff Office, and Legislative Reference Bureau, came in third place with 18,671 points.

Different offices also competed for points in a door decorating contest in March. Rep. Joe Bertram (District 11 - Makena, Wailea, Kihei) won first place for his office's decorations. The House Print Shop scored second place for their design, and Rep. Karl Rhoads took third place.

The House also held a Chili Cook-Out Contest to raise money for the Foodbank. In that competition, Rep. Angus McKelvey (District 10 - Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei) and Rep. Barbara Marumoto (District 19 - Waialae Iki, Kalani Valley, Waialae Nui, Diamond Head, Kahala) tied for first place. Rep. Gene Ward (District 17 - Kalama Valley, Queen's Gate, Hawaii Kai) came in at second place and Rep. Tom Brower (District 23 - Waikiki, Ala Moana) won third place.

The winner of the door design contest -- Rep. Bertam's office. Made with real fruit and leaves!

Second place -- door of the House Printshop.

Third place went to Rep. Karl Rhoads's office for their creative design.