House honors local organizations committed to the people of Hawaii

House lawmakers recognized and honored local organizations that sustain the health of, promote the culture of, and respect the people of our multi—cultural State. The groups honored include Centennial Anniversaries for Palama Settlement, The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Liliha Shingonji Mission.

Honoring Hawaii's People - Part 2

Representative Scott Nishimoto offered House Resolution 297, which congratulates Iolani School's all-girl team for winning the U.S. Department of Energy's 2009 Real World design challenge during the House floor session on April 2, 2009.

Photo: Representatives Chris Lee, Scott Nishimoto and Maile Shimabukuro with the winning team.


A resolution was introduced the same day to honor the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii for having celebrated their 60th Narcissus Festival. The winners the Narcissus pageant met and had lunch with lawmakers.

In Photo: Rep. Corinne Ching (R), who introduced the resolution, and Speaker Calvin Say with members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and pageant winners.

Honoring Hawaii's People - Part 1

Yesterday was the last day for floor presentations to honor individuals and groups that have contributed to improving the social, educational, cultural and economic welfare of the State of Hawaii as well as those who have accomplished amazing feats.

I will be posting a series of photos and descriptions of a handful of the final floor presentations in the past month.

Let's start with two recipients who were acknowledged on March 30, 2009 for being exemplary role models; one of the honorees for his many years of dedication to education and the other for his hard work and commitment to healthy living.


Photo: Rep. Ryan Yamane, chair of the Health Committee, Dallas Carter and family, and Rep. Marilyn Lee, who represents the Mililani area.

Rep. Marilyn Lee and other house members introduced offered House Resolution 295, which recognizes and commends Dallas Carter as an outstanding role model for good health. Dallas, a resident of Mililani, lost 130 pounds over three years through good nutrition and regular exercise. He recently won Beachbody.com's Million Dollar Body Game Giveaway and received $250,000. The father of two began his quest to get into shape after the birth of his daughter. He was unable to pick her up and knew then that he had to do something about his weight in order to take care of his family.


Everyone knows Frank De Lima! I bet you've probably gone on a Buta hunt with funnyman Frank or helped him make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The House honored the comedian for his outstanding service to Hawaii's youth through the "Frank De Lima Student Enrichment Program. Rep. Gene Ward, member of the House Minority, introduced House Resolution 296.

In Photo (L-R): Rep. Gene Ward, Frank De Lima, and Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Finance chair.

Lawmakers to congratulate Kauai's Sullivan on Red Sox Hall of Fame Selection

Frank Sullivan, former professional baseball player and a 44-year resident of Kauai, will be honored for his induction into the 2008 Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame Thursday at the State Capitol at 12 p.m.

In a special floor presentation during the State Legislative session, House Representatives James Tokioka, Roland Sagum and long-time friend Robert Herkes will present the 6-foot-7 Sullivan with an honorary certificate congratulating him on behalf of the Legislature.

Sullivan, 78, made his major league debut at 23 years old with the Boston Red Sox in July 31, 1953, pitching 252 games from 1953 to 1960. During his career with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins, Sullivan cumulated a 97-100 record in 351 appearances, with a 4.15 earned run average and 959 strikeouts.

In 1963, after being let go by the Twins, Sullivan packed his bags and moved to Lihue, Kauai where he began a career in the hotel and golf property industry. Now retired, Sullivan and his wife, Marilyn, still live in Kauai and will fly to Boston for the Hall of Fame ceremony on Nov. 7.

"That airline crap is brutal," said Sullivan about traveling by plane in a book titled Boston Red Sox: Where have you Gone? written by Steve Buckley. "I'd rather have a root canal than put one foot on an airplane."

Hopefully this will be the flight that Sullivan, one of baseball history's overlooked talents -- until now, will enjoy.

Hawaii's fallen heroes honored in more ways than one

The House and Senate honored 31 military service members with Hawaii ties who were killed while on duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait this past year. The families and friends of 20 servicemen accepted the Hawaii Medal of Honor at the State Capitol Tuesday. Army, Navy and Marine servicemen and women joined the standing-room-only crowd in the House Chamber to pay tribute to their heroic comrades.

Each day our fallen heroes' memories are honored by friends and family through different ways, including visiting the burial sites, flipping through photo albums and reading old letters.

As the first war during the Internet age, remembering our lost servicemen and women has changed.

On websites like Myspace, the memories of many of them will live on forever in self-made memorials with snapshots and blog posts that capture the person they wanted the world to see - the person behind the uniform.

Several of the Hawaii Medal of Honor recipients still have Myspace profiles. Friends and family post comments daily reminding the ghost behind the screen of how much they are missed.

"Hey Garrett. Not a day goes by where I don't think of you. I miss you so much man. I know you're in a better place taking care of [Army Staff] SGT [Richwell A.] Doria and [Army 1st] LT [Frank B.] Walkup for us. I'll never forget you. I'll see you again someday," wrote Army Sgt. Adam Gillespie, a friend and comrade of Sgt. Garrett I. McLead, 23, on McLead's Myspace profile comment box.

With more than three-fourths of the war dead being younger than 30 and many of them having registered for online networking websites, the number of online memorials have increased.

Fallen soldiers have left behind their last words that will live on in time.

Twenty days before his return home to Hawaii, Army Sgt. Alexander U. Gagalac, 28, a Leilehua High School graduate, wrote this on his Myspace page:

"Finally!, I'll be home for good.....This is very rare that [I] write a blog. For the past 13 months I have been living in the a place that time forgot, "Iraq". Now it is finally coming to an end with a few weeks to go. I can't wait to be back home with family and friends. This has been a long time coming and it['s] gonna feel a lot longer as it comes to those last hours that I'm here. The taste of freedom is going to be sweet. To let you in on a secret, the expected date for my arrival is the 24th of September. I'll keep my fingers cross[ed]. I hope to see you all when I get back."

The Internet has been a useful tool for friends and family to remember their loved ones, but it has even compelled those who did not know the military service member personally to express their sorrow and gratitude.

"Thank you for your sacrifice for giving us the freedom that we continue to have today. Because of you and all the other men and women serving our country we thank you for all that you stand for and give. My prayers goes out to your family. Thank you, thank you, thank you....," wrote Myspace user "Mafi & Rod" in response to Sgt. Gagalac's final blog post.

Medal of Honor Recipients:

Air Force Senior Airman William N. Newman

Air Force Airman 1st Class Carl Jerome Ware Jr.
Army Sgt. Forrest D. Cauthorn
Army Pfc. Jay S. Cajimat
Army Cpl. Casey P. Zylman
Army 1st Lt. Keith N. Heidtman
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Theodore U. Church
Army Sgt. Richard V. Correa
Army Spc. Farid Elazzouzi
Army Sgt. Derek T. Roberts
Army Spc. Val J. Borm
Army 1st Lt. Frank B. Walkup IV
Army Sgt. Michael J. Montpetit
Army Spc. Tyler R. Seideman
Army Spc. Jessy G. Pollard
Army Spc. Michael A. Hook
Army Cpl. Nathan C. Hubbard
Army Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon
Army Cpl. Phillip J. Brodnick
Army Cpl. Jeremy P. Bouffard
Army. Sgt. Garrett I. McLead
Army Staff Sgt. Jason L. Paton
Army Capt. Derek A. Dobogai
Army Sgt. Alexander U. Gagalac
Army Pfc. Casey P. Mason
Army Spc. Jon M. Schoolcraft III
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch
Marine Corps Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Morgan C. Tulang
Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Mark R. Cannon
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Victor W. Jeffries

Lawmakers honor the US Army Reserve

Lawmakers honored the men and women who have enlisted in the US Army Reserve since its debut 100 years ago in a special floor presentation during the Hawaii State Legislative session. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Joe Bertram, outlines the history of the US Army Reserve, from its modest beginning as a corps aiding the medical department of the US Army to its present-day skilled military force of over one million soldiers serving in the United States, Iraq, Afghanistan and 18 other countries.

Rep. Rida Cabanilla also recognized the legacy of Filipino civilian soldiers who have chosen to protect the country that they have adopted. The US Congress recently marked the centennial of Filipino immigration to the United States.

House honors Navy SEALs

The House honored the United States Navy SEALs, Hawaii SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, the most elite fighting force in the world, and the Naval Special Warfare Foundation of Hawaii on March 10, 2008. Rep. John Mizuno introduced HR 144, the resolution that commends them for their outstanding contributions, accomplishments, and service to our state and nation. The Naval Special Warfare Foundation of Hawaii provides financial support and services to widows and children of Navy SEALs killed in combat or training.

Photo (L-R): Dennis Gaughan, Secretary & Treasurer; Russ Geraldi, LCDR SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One; Brain Mulholland, Senior Chief SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One Chad Buck; Ron Seiple, President; Rep. John Mizuno.

House Congratulates 2007 Grammy Winners

Today, the legislature congratulated the artists and producers who participated in the production of Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar-Live from Maui, the winner of the 49th Annual Grammy award for Best Hawaiian Music Album of the Year. Rep. Mele Carroll introduced the resolution, which can be viewed online here.

Reps Carroll and John Mizuno got a chance to hold the Grammy.

Legendary Eddie Pu honored by Legislature

Rep. Joe Bertram (District 11 - Makena, Wailea, Kihei) presented fellow Maui resident Eddie Pu with a certificate of recognition for a lifetime of contributions as a park ranger, life guard and spiritual and cultural leader.

Pu, who is in his 70s, is perhaps most famous for his yearly 200-mile trek around the island of Maui on foot. He has been doing the every year for the last 30 years.

Click here to view a copy of the resolution honoring Eddie Pu.