Honoka‘a Jazz Band Performs at the Capitol

Hailing from the Big Island's Hamakua Coast, the Honoka‘a Jazz Band is in the middle of its Big City Tour of Oahu. The tour, which coincides with National Jazz Appreciation Month, made a stop at the Capitol this morning. As a special surprise, jazz aficionado, Governor Neil Abercrombie issued a proclamation declaring April 20th, 2012 as Honoka‘a Jazz Band Day!

Gary Washburn, school music director, created the Honoka‘a Jazz Band in 1988 and changes the musical repertoire annually to reflect the evolving personality of the band as students graduate. The band has earned distinction as one of the preeminent school musical programs in the nation. In 2010, Honoka‘a's music program beat out more than 22,000 other schools to be awarded one of the top 138 music programs in the United States. Last year, the band received the coveted Grammy Signature Schools Enterprise Award and Gary Washburn received the National Society of High School Scholars' Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award. This year, the band performed at the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu for the Edison Learning Convention and will be featured in the June edition of Hana Hou Magazine.

Big Island Lawmakers Reps. Cindy Evans, Mark Nakashima, and Sen. Malama Solomon enjoying the show

“With all of the emphasis on math and science, it is crucial to always remember that it is music and the arts that provide us with inspiration,” said Rep. Nakashima, (District 1 - North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo).

“Music, drama and the arts provide our students with the opportunity to exercise their creativity, act on their inspiration, and imagine the possibilities,” he added. “Teachers like Mr. Washburn provide students with the venue to explore this realm and to contribute profoundly to our quality of life.”

Governor Abercrombie providing lead vocals

This year's repertoire includes music going back to the 1940s as well as contemporary hits. You can hear the band's take on music by Christina Aguilera, Brazil 66, Ruth Brown, Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Maceo Parker, Paul Simon, and a special Cuban song, "Mis Dos Pequenas." 


The remaining stops on the Honoka‘a Jazz Band's Big City Tour are listed below.

A Night of Jazz at the Arcadia

Friday, April 20, 2012 from 7-8p.m.

1434 Punahou Street

(808) 983-1808

YMCA Healthy Kids Day at the Bishop Museum

Saturday, April 21, 2012

9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Event Time

FREE Admission for Kama'aina and Military with ID.

Out-of-state guests and those who wish to enter Bishop Museum 

after 2:00 pm will be charged the normal entry fee.

(808) 946-0292

Twilight Jazz at Helumoa

Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki

Saturday, April 21, 2012

7p.m. Honoka’a Jazz Band

8p.m. Kit Ebersbach Combo with Starr Kalāhiki

FREE and Open to the Public

Earth Day Beach Cleanup and Celebration

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Makapu'u Meadows at Sea Life Park

9:30a.m.-12p.m. Cleanup 9:30a.m. – 12p.m.

12-5p.m. Celebration

12-1p.m. Honoka’a Jazz Band Performs

Contact: Lindsey Kesel, 303-952-0452

www.sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org

Honoka'a Jazz Band’s “Big City Tour," Capitol performance

In honor of National Jazz Appreciation Month, the Honoka’a Jazz Band from the Big Island has scheduled its annual “Big City Tour” of Oahu with several performances and appearances from April 19-22.

One of the young group’s first free performances will be at the Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda. After opening remarks from Representative Mark Nakashima and Senator Malama Solomon, the band will go on at 10 a.m.

On Sat., April 21, the 30-member band will perform at the Bishop Museum as part of the YMCA Healthy Kids Day. Later that day, they will open the Twilight Jazz at Helumoa Concert in The Royal Grove at the Royal Hawaiian Center at 7 p.m. Joining the line-up will be The Kit Ebersbach Combo and Starr Kalahiki, performing at 8 p.m.

The Honoka’a Jazz Band was organized in 1988 by school musical director Gary Washburn. Since then, after almost 25 years of annual repertoire changes to accommodate the “personality” of the band as students graduate, the youth jazz band still remains the pride and joy of Honoka‘a High. In 2010, the music program at Honoka'a High School was selected by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) as one of 138 schools in the United States with an outstanding music program and commitment to music education. They are also the recipients of the prestigious 2011 Grammy Signature Schools Enterprise Award. Gary Washburn, the band director, recently received the 2011 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award from the National Society of High School Scholars. In 2012, the band performed for the Edison Learning Convention in the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu and will be featured in the June edition of the “Hana Hou” Magazine. (history and biography of the band attached)

This year the band shows off a repertoire from a variety of music spanning from the 1940s to present including the music of Paul Simon, Michael Buble, Etta James, Ruth Brown, Brazil 66, Christina Aguilera, Maceo Parker, Aretha Franklin, as well as a special Cuban song “Mis Dos Pequenas”.

“With all of the emphasis on math and science, it is crucial to always remember that it is music and the arts that provide us with inspiration,” said Rep. Nakashima, (District 1 - North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo).

“Music, drama and the arts provide our students with the opportunity to exercise their creativity, act on their inspiration, and imagine the possibilities,” he added. “Teachers like Mr. Washburn provide students with the venue to explore this realm and to contribute profoundly to our quality of life.”

“I strongly encourage everyone to take time out of their busy schedules and listen to the music produced by these very talented youths,” said Senator Malama Solomon, (District 1 - Waimea, Hamakua, North Hilo, Rural South Hilo, Hilo). “Under the direction of their band director Gary Washburn, these students have demonstrated how music education has benefitted them to be successful in school and in life.”

Honoka’a Jazz Band 2012 Big City Tour April 19-22
Celebrating National Jazz Appreciation Month

Jazz at the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial
And a Special Observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day
Thursday, April 19, 2012 from noon-1p.m.
For Admission Information Contact:
Ms. Bobi Baclaan, Education & Events Coordinator
(808) 455-1600 ext. 247

Jazz at Ala Moana Center Stage
Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 7-7:45p.m.
Free and open to the public

Interview with Howard Dicus
Hawaii News Now at 7:15a.m.

State Celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month
Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda
Friday, April 20, 2012 at 10a.m.
FREE and open to public
(808) 586-6680

A Night of Jazz at the Arcadia
Friday, April 20, 2012 from 7-8p.m.
1434 Punahou Street
(808) 983-1808

YMCA Healthy Kids Day at the Bishop Museum
Saturday, April 21, 2012
9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Event Time
9:00 a.m. Honok’a’a Jazz Band Performance

FREE Admission for Kama'aina and Military with ID.
Out-of-state guests and guests who wish to enter Bishop Museum
after 2:00 pm will be charged the normal entry fee.
(808) 946-0292
Description:
Healthy Kids Day is a family event that encourages parents and their children to come out and and have fun while learning about being healthy. There are activities, games and prizes for the whole 'ohana!

While at Bishop Museum, check out Sesame Street Presents: The Body which offers an engaging, free-flowing learning experience set in the fun, familiar and reassuring world of Sesame Street. The loveable Sesame Street Muppets anchor an exciting collection of hands-on, interactive and multimedia experiences that allow children to explore the human body and how to keep it healthy. Each exhibit area has multiple activities to provide age appropriate and exciting learning opportunities for children at a variety of developmental levels.

*Don't forget to bring a canned-good to support the Hawaii Foodbank; the Hawaii Foodbank's Annual Food Drive is happening on the same day.

Twilight Jazz at Helumoa
Get Your GROVE on!
Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki
Saturday, April 21, 2012
7p.m. Honoka’a Jazz Band
8p.m. Kit Ebersbach Combo with Starr Kalāhiki
FREE and Open to the Public

Earth Day Beach Cleanup and Celebration
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Makapu'u Meadows at Sea Life Park
9:30a.m.-12p.m. Cleanup 9:30a.m. – 12p.m.
12-5p.m. Celebration
12-1p.m. Honoka’a Jazz Band Performs
Contact: Lindsey Kesel, 303-952-0452
www.sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org

Description:
In celebration of Earth Day and to commemorate Sustainable Coastlines 1-year anniversary, the nonprofit organization is hosting a morning beach cleanup followed by an environmentally-focused fair and concert at Sea Life Park from noon to 5 pm. Cleanup volunteers get $5 entry into the fair and free lunch. The general public is also welcome to attend for $15 adult admission and $10 for keiki.

Robotics at APEC makes national news

Rep. Angus McKelvey shared the following good news on the Robotics event at the Hawaii Convention Center, held during APEC week. Rep. McKelvey was involved with Speaker Calvin Say in establishing the event as a tie-in with the APEC activities.

NASA worked with Hawaii's UH Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) to set up a real-time demonstration of NASA rovers at a Lunar/Mars site on the Big Island. The rovers were driven remotely by elementary students from the Big Island. Even some of the APEC delegates got to drive the rovers by remote at the end of the day.

The full story can be read on NASA's website.

Here are some pictures of the demonstration at the convention center, and some of the VIP guests that dropped by:

Photos courtesy of Rep. Mark Nakashima

Robotics Organizing Committee - Hawaii

Governor Abercrombie learning how to drive VEX robots

Rep. Mark Nakashima visiting ROC exhibit

Henk Rogers speaking with students

Should ziplines be regulated?

One to watch for next session...

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Rep. Mark Nakashima plans to re-introduce legislation in 2012 that proposes state regulation of zipline businesses. See story here.

A recent accident in Hilo at the Lava Hotline site reignites the issue of whether zipline activities should be subject to state guidelines for safety reasons. A worker who was injured on September 21 while trying to tighten a zipline cable was released from the hospital yesterday, but the business remains closed pending further investigation.

The bill introduced last year is HB1246. It adds ziplines under the category of "amusement rides" which are currently regulated under the boiler and elevator safety law. It also requires that zipline business carry liability insurance by a carrier licensed to do business in Hawaii. The bill was co-introduced by other Big Island representatives Chang, Evans, Hanohano, Herkes and Tsuji.

According to the Star Advertiser:

"Nakashima has consulted with Steve Gustafson, a board member of Professional Ropes Course Association, which has drafted a set of standards for ziplining courses and submitted them to the American National Standards Institute. Nakashima said he plans to use those standards in his bill.

Gustafson's company, Experienced Based Learning, has built five zipline courses in Hawaii, including one at World Botanical Gardens, seven miles from the Lava Hotline site."

Here's a look at the World Botanical site:

Rural Outreach Services for North Hawaii Residents

The Rural Outreach Services initiative will hold its official opening at the North Hawaii Education and Research Center (NHERC) on Thursday, July 21, 2011 starting at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend and to learn more about the services provided.

Rural Outreach Services is a public/private consortium of agencies that provide a wide range of needed services for the community on a rotating basis. The purpose of the initiative is to make it more convenient or even possible for residents to receive services without having to drive long distances to Hilo or Kona. Services include employment counseling, job seeking strategies, assistance with online registrations, low income and energy assistance, housing services, youth tutoring and mentoring, eldercare assistance, long-term care assistance, college programs and application assistance, financial aid, small business solutions, veterans services and more. For many people, the improved access to critical services will have a great impact on their quality of life.

Governor Neil Abercrombie is expected to attend the opening, making good on the claim that his administration will not be "Oahu-centric". The Governor has been instrumental in ensuring participation by state agencies.

"Rural Outreach Services is an initiative that will turn lives around," said Rep. Mark Nakashima, a member of the coordinating committee, who also sits on the advisory board for NHERC. "Because of the long distances that people need to travel on the Big Island, many residents have not been getting the services they need, whether it be job-related, housing, or even healthcare."

"Our initial challenge was to bring the agencies together to establish a working schedule of volunteer services," continued Nakashima. "Now our goal is to make sure that the community is aware of the availability of these services, and the more they take advantage of the program, the more resources we will be able to provide for the future."

The organizations that are participating in the consortium include the University of Hawaii at Hilo – North Hawaii Education and Research Center, the Department of Labor – Workforce Development Division, Hamakua Partners in Elder Care, Kapulena Land Project and the Department of Education – East and West Hawaii Community School for Adults.

Other agencies volunteering their services include Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, US Department of Labor – Veterans' Employment & Training Service, Hawaii Community College, Services for Seniors, Hawaii Adult Day Care, Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network, Hawaii Center for Independent Living, Arc of Hilo, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and Office of Veterans' Services.

The participating agencies are available on a rotating basis on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with plans to increase days and times in the future. For more information or a schedule of upcoming services, contact the North Hawaii Education and Research Center at 775-8890.

View the link to the Rural Outreach Services calendar at http://goo.gl/fS9T3

Follow NHERC on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Hawaii-Education-and-Research-Center/91544554478

Tonight - Hilo Legislative Wrap Up

Hilo Town Hall Meeting & Legislative Highlights

Community Invited

WHAT: The community is invited to attend a town hall meeting and legislative update hosted by state Representatives Mark Nakashima (District 1 – North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo); Jerry Chang (District 2 – South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha); Clift Tsuji (District 3 – South Hilo, Panaewa, Puna, Keaau, Kurtistown); and Bob Herkes (District 5 – Puna, Ka'u, South Kona, North Kona.)

House Finance Chair, Rep. Marcus Oshiro, will also be in attendance to discuss the state budget bill, closing the budget deficit, and how this will impact the public.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 7, 2011

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: University of Hawaii at Hilo

UCB 127 (Ho'oulu Terrace)

WHY: District representatives will report and take questions on the key bills passed by the 2011 Legislature including the state budget, capital improvements, mortgage foreclosures and updates on Big Island issues.

Honaka'a Jazz Band to perform with Royal Hawaiian Band

Jazz Month

In honor of National Jazz Month, the 32-member Honoka’a Jazz Band from the Big Island has scheduled a “Big City Tour” of Oahu with several performances and appearances from April 14-17. Rep. Mark Nakashima, District 1 - North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo, who graduated from Honoka’a High School and is a big fan of jazz music, arranged for the group to open for the Royal Hawaiian Band on the grounds of the Iolani Palace on Friday, April 15, 2011. The group will play from 11:10 - 11:40 a.m. Rep. Mark Nakashima will give the opening remarks.

The Honoka’a Jazz Band is the pride and joy of Honoka‘a High. In 2010, the music program at Honoka'a High School was selected by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM) as one of 138 schools in the United States with an outstanding music program and commitment to music education. They are also the recipients of the prestigious 2011 Grammy Signature Schools Enterprise Award. Gary Washburn, the band director, recently received the 2011 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award from the National
Society of High School Scholars.

This year the band’s repertoire includes the music of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Dusty Springfield, Miles Davis, Bobby Timmons, Michael Buble, Patsy Cline, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and a special arrangement of Pachelbel's "Canon in D".

“Honoka’a High School’s music program demonstrates that with dedicated staff, parental and community support our children in rural Hamakua can compete and be recognized nationwide,” said Rep. Nakashima.

Honoka’a Jazz Band “Big City Tour 2011” Schedule

Thursday, April 14th, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Shriner's Childrens Hospital Special Luncheon
1310 Punahou Street, Honolulu

Thursday, April 14th 7-8 p.m.
Dots Thursday Night Fellowship Jazz with Steve Lucas and Friends
Family Friendly Jazz with No Cover Charge
Dots in Wahiawa
139 Mango Street
(more)
Page 2 – Honaka'a Jazz Band to perform with Royal Hawaiian Band


Friday, April 15th 7-8a.m.
Peace of the Rainbow “Power of Jazz” hour
Broadcast LIVE:
* Statewide on OC16 Television
* and on the Morning Drive of AM 1080 Radio
* also Global on www.oc16.tv
Panel: Gary Washburn, Rep. Mark Nakashima, Chuck James
Panel discussion – The power of Jazz, what makes jazz unique, role of jazz in education, does jazz create better people, the story of Honoka’a Jazz Band, Pride of Honoka’a
www.peaceoftherainbow.com


Friday, April 15th - 11:10-11:40 a.m.
Opening for the Royal Hawaiian Band at Iolani Palace

Friday, April 15th - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Windward Mall Center Stage
Saturday, April 16th - 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Ala Moana Shopping Center Stage

Saturday, April 16th - 6p.m.
Twilight Jazz at Helemoa Royal Grove at the Royal Hawaiian Center. Opening for Paul Shimamoto performing from his debut release "All That Hawaiian Jazz" a multi Na Hoku Nominee and Kekauoha The Jazz Project

Sunday, April 17th - 12:15 p.m. -1:15p.m.
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday: The Big 84

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History has led the initiative for Jazz Appreciation Month, or JAM, “to draw public attention to the glories of jazz as both an historical and a living treasure.” According to the Smithsonian’s website, during the month of April musicians, concert halls, schools, colleges, museums, libraries, and public broadcasters are encouraged to offer special programs on jazz.

It’s in the bag

State lawmakers this session are once again considering legislation aimed at reducing the amount of plastic bags used in Hawaii stores. One bill would implement a total ban of single-use plastic bags in certain businesses, while the other two would require a small fee, paid by customers, for each single-use plastic checkout bag.

The bills alive and going through the legislative process are:

HB998 – Requires businesses in the State to collect a 5-cent fee for each single-use checkout bag provided to a customer. The fees collected will be deposited in the general fund. The bill in its current form will allow exemptions and also require fees to be collected on paper bags in counties that currently have ordinances banning plastic bags. Introduced by Rep. Mark Nakashima.

SB1059 – Prohibits certain businesses in the State from distributing single-use plastic checkout bags, which was introduced by Senator Clayton Hee.

SB1363 – Requires business to collect a 25 cent offset fee for distribution of every non-reusable checkout bag. The bill in its current form would allow exemptions for certain uses and for beneficiaries of the women, infants, and children program and the supplemental nutrition assistance program. It also allows the Department of Health to collect 75 percent of offset fee to be used for administration and enforcement, and allow businesses to retain 25 percent of the offset fee as taxable income, while exempting the offset fee from general excise tax. Introduced by Senator Mike Gabbard.

In August 2008, Maui County banned plastic bags, and Kauai County followed suit in October 2009. Both ordinances went into effect January 2011.

With the law just taking effect, and stores and the public adjusting to life without plastic, the impact of it is still unknown, but the Star Advertiser recently reported that food service industries are taking issue with the law. They are “complaining that other alternatives such as paper and cloth bags do not work as well, especially when food spills from containers.” A Kauai council member is considering introducing an amendment exempting food establishments from the law.

What’s next for the bills alive at the Legislature?

HB998 passed second reading and is now awaiting a hearing in the House Finance Committee. SB1059 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, February 22, 2011 and it will now go to the Senate floor for third reading. The Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold decision making on SB1363 Friday, February 25, 2011 at 9 a.m. in conference room 211.

School Closures

KA'A'AWA Elementary

Rep. Jessica Wooley meets tomorrow, Wednesday, June 2,2010 with the community to discuss the Task Force report on the possible closure of Ka'a'awa Elementary. The meeing will be held at the Ka'a'awa School cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.

In January 2009, the Department of Education created a task force to study the possible closure of Ka'a'awa Elementary. If closed, students would go to Waiahole Elementary or Hau'ula Elementary. The task force report was published on April 30, 2010. A copy of the report can be found here.

KOHALA Elementary

Rep. Mark Nakashima met with the community this past Monday evening on the possible closure of Kohala Elementary. A story in West Hawaii Today is here. According to the article, the consolidation task force report indicated that the closure was unwarranted and didn't make financial or academic sense. However, the Department of Education appears to be going forward with the closure despite the report. The report summary can be found here.

Rep. Nakashima and Sen. Takamine Hold Pre-Session Community Meetings

Senator Dwight Takamine and Representative Mark Nakashima

Representative Mark Nakashima (District 1 - North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo) and Senator Dwight Takamine (District 1 - Hilo, Honoka'a, Laupahoehoe, Hamakua, Waiakea Uka, Keaukaha, Waimea) invite the public to join them in a series of pre-legislative session community meetings.

They will share information about issues facing state government in these challenging times and discuss new legislation to be proposed in 2010. Here is the schedule:

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

January 4, 2010 (Monday) 5:00 p.m.
Kohala - Kohala Senior Center (Rep. Nakashima)

January 4, 2010 (Monday) 6:30 p.m.
Waimea - Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria (Sen. Takamine)

January 5, 2010 (Tuesday) 7:00 p.m.
Rural South Hilo Community - Kalanianaole School Cafeteria

January 6, 2010 (Wednesday) 7:00 p.m.
Honoka'a - Honoka'a School Cafeteria

January 7, 2010 (Thursday) 6:00 p.m.
North Hilo Community Council - Laupahoehoe HS Humanities

SENIOR MEETINGS - SENIOR CENTERS

January 4, 2010 (Monday) 9:00 a.m.
Kohala Seniors (Rep. Nakashima)

January 5, 2010 (Tuesday) 9:00 a.m.
Paauilo Seniors

January 6, 2010 (Wednesday) 9:00 a.m.
Honoka'a Seniors

January 8, 2010 (Friday) 9:00 a.m.
Laupahoehoe Seniors

January 12, 2010 (Tuesday) 9:00 a.m.
Waimea Seniors (Sen. Takamine)

January 12, 2010 (Tuesday) 10:30 a.m.
Hakalau Seniors

January 14, 2010 (Thursday) 9:00 a.m.
Papaikou Seniors

January 14, 2010 (Thursday) 10:30 a.m.
Pepeekeo Seniors

House Marathoners

Rep. Mark Nakashima posts some photos on his blog from the Honolulu Marathon held this past Sunday, December 13th, including this one from the starting line.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu also ran the marathon this year. his second time.

Are there more of whom I'm not aware? Let us know!

UPDATE: I understand that our Majority Leader, Rep. Blake Oshiro, and Rep. K. Mark Takai also ran this year.

See you in 25 years

House members and staff today loaded a tiny silver time capsule full of memorabilia representing the past and present of the Hawaii House of Representatives. The House's pill is only one of 50 time capsules that will be buried in different locations statewide. They will be opened on the State's 75th anniversary in 2034.

The following are some of the items that were packed into the capsule:

• 1959 and 2009-2010 House member composite photos
• Photo of the House Freshman Class of 2009
  
• 2009 House staff directory
• 2009 legislative pocket directory
• Lapel pin from SAA inventory
• Sample bill, resolution, committee report, and certificate
• House Journal excerpts from 2009 Opening Day, Joint Session for Statehood, and 2009 Adjournment Sine Die day
• Personal letters from Speaker Emeritus Joe Souki, Speaker Calvin Say, and the six freshmen lawmakers
• Star Bulletin - Aug. 17, 2009 issue and Jan. 21, 2009 (Obama Inauguration issue)
  
• Pacific Business News - dated Aug. 14, 2009
• 2009 Budget and Fiscal information and Plans
• Menus from favorite eateries frequented by House members and staff
• Civil unions (HB444) documents and photos
• Hamakua Sugar - last sugar producation processed Sept. 1994 (courtesy Rep. Barbara Marumoto)
• "No Coqui Frogs" fan from Rep. Clift Tsuji

House members also included in the capsule their business cards with a short message written on the back. Some quoted famous authors, others addressed the citizens of the state, and a few even wrote endearing messages to their family members.

Rep. Roy Takumi: Remember what a privilege it is to serve...

Rep. Joey Manahan: I am truly grateful to be able to serve the people of the 29th House district and the people of the State of Hawaii. My decisions are made with you in mind always. Mabuhay.

Rep. Ken Ito: To my grandchildren Tyler, Kerry, James & Daniel. Hope all in good health and productive citizens working to make Hawaii and the world a better place. Love, Grandpa.

Rep. John Mizuno: I love Hawaii!

Rep. Mark Nakashima: Dear Friends, I hope that history will be kind to us...finding that Hawaii is in a better place as a result of the leadership and foresight provided by those of us here today.

Rep. Clift Tsuji: Aloha. Ag sustainability and security. Hope the fruits of our initiatives today will satisfy your palates 50 years from now. "Buy Local, Buy Fresh."

Chief Clerk Pat Shimizu: It has truly been an honor to serve the state House, its members and staff.

Asst. Chief Clerk C.J. Leong: "To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice." -- Confucius

Much mahalo to the staff from the House Chief Clerk's Office for collecting and filling the capsule of items we won't be seeing again for 25 years!

Kukui Connection - Rep. Mark Nakashima

Coming up on the Kukui Connection - Sunday July 12th (repeated July 26th), 4:00 p.m., Olelo, Channel 54 will be freshman Representative Mark Nakashima.

Rep. Nakashima represents District 1: North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, and South Hilo. Geographically, it is one of the largest districts in the state.

He talks about:

*Economic activity of the district, predominantly agriculture and resort tourism

*The impact of the cancellation of incentive programs to the resort industry

*The long-awaited re-opening of the Mauna Kea Resort

*His background working in the state legislature and as an aide to former Congressman Spark Matsunaga

*His leadership role as National VP of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce

*His career as a public school social studies teacher

*Hamakua ditch

*Invasive species - varroa mite and coqui

*Education legislation

Kukui Connection is a weekly talk show, produced and hosted by Rep. Marilyn Lee.

Energy Forum in Honoka'a, Big Island

Residents of the Hilo/ Hamakua Coast should try to make it down to Honoka'a School Cafeteria tomorrow night at 7 p.m. for a special forum to talk with several energy companies that are proposing to build plants and other facilities around the area. The Board of Land and Natural Resources has given various energy producers long-term leases, including Hamakua Biomass Energy, LLC; Hu Honua Bioenergy, LLC; Sunfuels Hawaii, LLC; Tradewinds; and Haina Hardwoods. Hawaii BioCrude, a corporation that is seeking state leases to grow trees that can be used as fuel for the biomass industry, will also be at the meeting.

Senator Dwight Takamine and Representative Mark Nakashima help set up the forum to give community members an opportunity to ask questions and share their concerns.

Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Honoka'a School Cafeteria

Pre-Session Meetings on Big Island

Rep. Mark Nakashima talks about legislation on education and agriculture that he is drafting for introduction next year in his December 2008 newsletter. Don't forget that you can always go back to these newsletters by clicking on the Community Newsletter's link in the right panel. A schedule of pre-session community meetings on the Big Island with Senator Dwight Takamine and Rep. Nakashima is also listed in the newsletter. Both lawmakers invite Big Island residents to come and share their concerns about important issues and discuss key legislation being introduced this year. Here's what the schedule looks like:

January 5, 2009—Kohala, Kohala Senior Center, 6:30 PM
January 6, 2009—Rural South Hilo Community Council, Kalanianaole School Cafeteria, 6:45PM
January 7, 2009—Honoka’a, Honoka’a School Cafeteria, 7:00 PM
January 13, 2009—Energy Forum, Honoka’a School Cafeteria, 7:00 PM
January 15, 2009—North Hilo Community Association, Laupahoehoe School, 6:30 PM