House of Reps collects 712 lbs of food and $1, 227 for Hawaii Foodbank

Staff members collect canned goods during the House Majority's Christmas staff party. Left to right: Gail Iseri (Tech Support), Kai Lau (Tech Support) and Rupert Juarez (Chief Clerk's Office).

Every year during the holidays, representatives and staff members fill each others offices with yummy Kauai Kookies, home-made fudge bars and steamy malasadas for everyone to soothe their sweet tooth.


Every year during the holidays, representatives and staff make quick visits to offices to personally hand over shiny Christmas boxes with -- undoubtedly -- more macadamia nut chocolate chip cookies.

Jesse Alvarado (Sgt at Arms office) helps load donated canned goods into boxes at the staff Christmas Party.

Every year during the holidays, representatives and staff wish each other and their constituents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

But you wanna know what the best part about every year is?

Every year during the holidays, representatives and staff raid their kitchen cupboards for Chef Boyardee ravioli and other canned goods, and they dig deep into their pockets for crisp dollar bills to donate to the Hawaii Foodbank.

This year we raised: 712 lbs of food and $1, 227.




Staff members help load canned goods onto the Hawaii Foodbank truck.

Christmas Show n' Tell with Rep. Clift Tsuji

Representative Clift Tsuji shares his favorite Christmas memories, family traditions and thoughts on Santa!

Hawaii House Blog: What is the most memorable Christmas gift you have received?
Rep. Tsuji: Twelve coquis croaking.

HHB: If Santa were real, what would he say to you?
R.T.: You mean Santa isn't real???

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE HOUSE MAJORITY!

Christmas Show n' Tell with Rep. Marilyn Lee

Representative Marilyn Lee shares her favorite Christmas memories, family traditions and thoughts on Santa! Each day until Christmas Day a new Representative will be featured on Christmas Show 'n Tell.

Hawaii House Blog: What is the most memorable Christmas gift you have received?
Rep. Lee: Our granddaughter, Maya, who was born on Christmas Eve. She will be six on the 24th.

HHB: How does your family spend Christmas? Any traditions?
R.L.: Our children come here from the mainland. We bake gingerbread cookies and paint them with frosting using a real paintbrush. I cook Peking duck once a year!


HHB: If Santa were real, what would he say to you?
R.L.: That the best gift he could bring would be peace in the world, especially in places like Iraq and Sudan.

Photo: Image from dkimages.com

Check back Monday for responses from Rep. Clift Tsuji!

Christmas Show 'n Tell with Rep. Cindy Evans

Representative Cindy Evans shares her favorite Christmas memories, family traditions and thoughts on Santa! Each day until Christmas Day a new Representative will be featured on Christmas Show 'n Tell.

Hawaii House Blog: What is the most memorable Christmas gift you have received?

Rep. Evans: I always remember a pencil given to me by my grandmother (mother's mom), who had ten children and lots of grandchildren. I felt very special because she remembered me.

HHB: How does your family spend Christmas? Any traditions?

R.E.: These past eight years I've gotten into the habit of baking scallops and shrimp with butter and garlic, and serving it with beef. You can always hear Christmas music in my house during December. On Christmas Day, I especially like to listen to country and western musicians playing Christmas music.

HHB: If Santa were real, what would he say to you?

R.E.: Freedom to choose is priceless.

Photo: Image from Fleecies.com

Check back tomorrow for responses from Rep. Marilyn Lee!

Twas the week before Christmas, and all thru the House

Not a creature was stirring... after eating all that ono Hawaiian food at the House annual Christmas party.

Josette (Tech Support) and Adele (Chief Clerk's Office) greet the members and staffs of all the offices, minority and majority, and all the employees of the support agencies, who are invited to have lunch and share some holiday spirit.

Speaker Calvin Say (left) was our host today. The Speaker always hosts the annual Christmas lunch as a thank you to the House employees. Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell serves up some Kalua Pork. In the background are Gail (Tech Support) and Poni (Rep. Hanahano's office).

House carolers from left, with gusto, Rep. Cindy Evans, Faye Hanohano, Lyla Berg, Marcus Oshiro, Scott (friend of the House), Blake Oshiro.

(You can click on all the photos to enlarge, this one especially. )

Tammy (Print Shop) and Denise (Chief Clerk's Office) serve up a Hawaiian plate for Amy (Rep. Waters' office). House members and staff dined on poi, lomi salmon, squid luau, chicken long rice, kalua pork, Okinawan sweet potato, and pipi kaula.

Matt (Sgt. at Arms Messenger) and Tammi (Sgt. at Arms Mail Manager) talk story with Ann (Rep. Nakasone's office). For dessert, there was pineapple, haupia and pumpkin squares.

Ahi poke `a la Denise (Chief Clerk's Office). The staff members of the Chief Clerk's Office all wore their University of Hawaii Warrior T-shirts.

Cyndi (Rep. Caldwell's office) and Ted (Legislative Reference Bureau) say Mele Kalikimaka to all!